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As someone who is a planner, needs to know what’s going on, and likes to always be prepared, I basically always carry a pack on adventures. Whether it’s a quiet evening of fishing or hiking to the Devil’s Bathtub in southwest Virginia, I like to bring a backpack with me. I probably overuse the term, adventure, but I’m still going to call it, “my adventure pack”. So what’s in my adventure pack, you ask? Well, here’s a list of 5 items you can usually find in my pack.
First off, I should mention that I like to carry my small Columbia backpack. I’m not exactly sure where it was purchased but Amazon has Columbia backpacks available if you’re interested in one for yourself. Another place to look for backpacks at is Goodwill or local thrift shops. My husband seriously found a large, Northface hiking backpack at our local Goodwill for about $3! I was shocked! If you’ve ever priced a pack from The Northface then you know that they can run around $100. Although it was used, it was still in great condition and for $3, we couldn’t pass it up!
Anyways, on to the list of 5 items you’ll find in my adventure pack.
1. Snacks
No matter how long or short the adventure, I will always bring a snack. I don’t know if you’re anything like me or not, but I like to have both salty/savory and sweet snacks on hand. I often buy the boxes of variety pack crackers because they are individually wrapped and easy to throw in a bag and take anywhere.
The same goes for cookies. Stores usually carry boxes of individually wrapped varieties of cookies so I also grab a box of those as well.
2. A Metal Water Bottle
Again, no matter what kind of trip, adventure, etc. I go on, I must bring water. Heck, I usually have water with me even for short car rides! I do have plastic water bottles on hand but I’m trying to eliminate plastic items. Plus, I hate having tons of empty water bottles floating around the vehicles so I switched to a metal water bottle that can hold any liquid you choose.
I’m sure you’ve heard of the Yeti tumblers that keep your liquids cold or hot, depending on what you put in them, for really long periods of time. I don’t have one of those. As I’ve mentioned before, I’m “frugal” or “cheap”, whatever you want to call it, and I found a much cheaper option.
I bought my metal water bottle at Academy Sports for around $14 but Amazon also has affordable options as well. The one I found is a bottle with a lid so that it can be tossed in a bag and not leak, unlike tumblers that don’t have lids that completely stay on and close up. These metal water bottles are a great option for anyone who likes to keep cold drinks cold and hot drinks hot for long periods of time.
3. Water Proof Bag or Box
Since I share my adventures on social media, I always have my phone. I like to keep if safe though, especially if I’m going to be near or in water. So I picked up an inexpensive waterproof case for my phone at Academy Sports but they can be purchased other places as well. Here are some on Amazon that are similar to the one I purchased.
I also always carry a small waterproof box like this one. They can be found at many stores including Walmart, Academy Sports, Amazon, etc. It varies what I put in the box but it’s always nice to have just in case.
4. Sunscreen
Since I live in the south and there are lots of outdoor activities, sunscreen is a must. Really, sunscreen is a must all the time, no matter where you live. I like to carry these little sunscreen sticks with me for my face but if I need to cover more of my body with sunscreen, I’ll use this one, or one similar.
5. A Towel
During the summer, I’m near water often so it just makes sense for me to carry a towel in my adventure pack. However, a towel is handy if you also need to wipe off dirt or if you just get cold and need a blanket. It also comes in handy if you want to sit or lie down on it while you’re out so I try to always carry one with me in my pack.
Those are just some of the basic items that I always carry with me in my adventure pack no matter what kind of trip or outing I’m going on in the outdoors. I also like to carry some nonessential items such as my iPad or a book in case I get bored but whoever I’m with wants to stay out longer. I sometimes also carry sunglasses, a hat, and sometimes extra clothing too.
A quick recap:
- Snacks- salty/savory and sweet
- Water- use a metal water bottle
- Waterproof phone case, bag, and/or box
- Sunscreen
- A towel
I hope this list will help you and has given you some ideas of what to pack for your next outdoor adventure!
Do you have any other items that you like to add to your backpack? Let me know in the comments below! I love new ideas and being more prepared!
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Hand Wipes
Small First Aid Kit
That would be a great addition to any adventure pack!