There is nothing more incredible than viewing the breathtaking landscape of Zion National Park or the panoramic vista from the peak of Mt. Shasta. These are the types of memories and experiences that explorers seek out.
Essential Backpacking Items
Life is too short and nature is too beautiful to miss out on the opportunities that backpacking, camping, and exploring what the great outdoors have to offer. So whether you’re a seasoned veteran or you just caught the adventure bug, here are the essential backpacking items you need to be a successful explorer.
Backpack – You can’t camp under the stars off the beaten trail without a quality backpack to carry all of your essentials. The first purchase you need to make is a high-quality backpack that you can take anywhere. Even if you just need a bag for travel, a backpacking backpack makes a great substitute for a travel suitcase.
Resilient Watch – When you’re camping out in the mountains, you won’t know what time it is once your phone runs out of batteries. You can’t take a generic wristwatch with you on a river rafting trip through the Grand Canyon (or your phone for that matter), so it might be time to invest in an outdoor watch. Outdoor watches tend to be much more weather and damage resistant so you don’t have to worry about it breaking
Swiss Army Knife -If you’ve ever been in the boy scouts, you know just how useful and valuable one of these knives can be. You can remove splinters, saw tree branches, and even build a table with one of these knives. Its versatility is rivaled by none—making it one of the most common answers to the question “If you could only have one item on a deserted island, what would it be?”
Shoes and Boots – Some explorers will make the claim that you should always wear hiking boots because of the ankle support that they provide. While there is some truth to this claim, there are plenty of quality backpacking and hiking shoes that have ankle support without the bulkiness of a boot. If you’re going exploring someplace warm or tropical, hiking shoes with a more breathable material will be far more useful.
Water Bottle – A water bottle or Camelbak is a must-have for any adventure. Whether you’re trekking through the snow or the dry, dusty trails of the desert, one thing is certain: you have to stay hydrated. Make sure you have a trusty Nalgene water bottle or Camelbak for wherever the journey takes you.
Sun Protection – Summer is the best time to go out and find your adventure; it’s also the best time to get badly sunburned. Make sure you bring along a bottle of sunscreen even if it’s just for a quick hike. Breathable long sleeve shirts and wide-brimmed hats are also a great way to stay protected.
Survival Gear – Even if you are just heading out on a day trip somewhere, you should always bring survival essentials such as matches and a first aid kit. Even when you “know you’re going to be fine,” you should still prepare for the worst. Any experienced adventurer will tell you that survival tools should be the first thing you pack.
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