Nature Canada

Adventure Made Easy

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Brooke Davis, Guest Blogger

This blog was written by guest blogger Brooke Davis.

Packing Your Day pack: 5 Easy Tips to Help You Enjoy Nature Easy

One of the most frustrating things for new adventurers can be the daunting task of packing your bag for your first trip. Your backpack is the central station for all your needs during your time outdoors; it is your emergency and first aid, your food and water and often contains little sources of entertainment for your trip. Though the below list may not be applicable to all your outings, it certainly offers a great general set of tips  for  getting you out the door and ready to enjoy all this beautiful country has to offer while being safe, smart and environmentally friendly!

1. Choosing your pack: For the sake of this blog we will not being going into great detail on what type of pack you should be purchasing, or what brands, etc. Simply, your pack could be anything you have around your home or something you choose to purchase. At the most basic level, your pack should be sturdy, fit you comfortably, be adjustable (depending on your terrain or length of trip it is handy to have chest and waist straps), and should be able to hold the basic items you need. It is often advised to have a pack that is brightly colored as it allows others on the trail to spot you easily, and one that is somewhat weather proofed.

Image of a Hiker2. Bring LOTS of water: It’s hard to really estimate how much water you will be going through, but on average for a hike of about 2-3 hours I would recommend at least 2L of water per person for a very low or minimal strenuous activity level. You can also supplement your hydration and keep your blood sugar up by bringing juice in addition to your water. Just remember: whatever comes with you must come back, so it is recommend to use lightweight reusable bottles that fit comfortably in your pack.

3. Snacks: This often varies by personal taste, but generally speaking make sure to bring things that offer you good nutrition and are easily converted into energy. Avoid heavy meals when day tripping, as these often leave you feeling sluggish and cramped. Aim to bring power bars, nutrition bars, fresh fruit and trail mix. These items offer well rounded boosts of energy and are light enough to not slow you down. For larger trips, pack accordingly.

4. Pack Extra Clothes: Or, make sure you have room in your bag to store removed layers. Weather can change fast so make sure to plan ahead by not only scanning your local weather network, but also bring a light jacket or sweater, and often spare socks. It’s very hard to purchase items you need from a side of a mountain, and being over prepared is certainly better than not.

5. Bring proper storage: What I mean by this really falls in line with whatever you bring up, must come back down. Make sure to bring a bag for garbage that fits easily in your pack, and it is preferable to use something that can seal. This prevents the scent of your food from attracting any unwanted critters, as well as any leaks from damaging your bag and clothing.

Hopefully these brief tips help you on your adventures and make the first step, getting to the door, that much easier!

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