It’s Friday. You can’t wait until the clock ticks over. All you can think about is the weekend – it’s party time. You’re antsy to get going on that off-road camping trip. But, before you go, here’s what you need to remember.
The Planning Stage
You should start planning for your trip at least 6 months in advance. Not only will it give you something to look forward to, it also lets you factor in pre-trip purchases like food and supplies, camping gear, and emergency or survival gear.
Finally, it gives you time to save up for your trip so you’re not scrambling around last minute trying to figure out how to pay for it all or charging up your credit card and going into debt for a vacation.
How You’ll Get There
While you could hook up a tow to your car, most people go adventuring in vehicles like Ram pickup trucks. First of all, a truck has the torque necessary to haul a camper or other cargo. Secondly, if you get stuck out in the wilderness, most of these kinds of trucks have all wheel or 4-wheel drive, which makes it much easier to get unstuck.
What To Sleep In
If you’re going camping or hiking, you’ll want something comfortable to sleep in. Bring a sleeping bag with a temperature rating that’s appropriate for wherever you’re headed. Remember, even if you plan on going out into the desert, you’ll want something warm because it gets very cold when the sun goes down.
A thick sleeping bag that doesn’t allow for much movement might not initially sound all that comfortable, but they tend to have extra padding and insulation which will keep you warm and dry.
On the other hand, sleeping bags with a lot of room in them for you to roll around tend to be less insulating.
What To Sleep On
Many people choose to sleep on a platform that keeps them up off the ground. Not only is this good for keeping the bugs off of you, it can keep you warmer and dry since you’re not sleeping on the ground all night long.
How You’ll Make Food
The easiest way to make food on a trip is to have at least some of it pre-made for the trip. Use camping stoves, canned foods, dried foods, and MREs or freeze-dried meals. All of these options have a long shelf-life, are easy to pack and carry, and are easy to consume.
What To Do If You Get Hurt or Lost
Always bring a first aid kit with you that contains the essentials like bandages, gauze, tape, antibiotic ointment, scissors, tourniquets, and alcohol. You should also bring safety equipment with you as well as a few tools that can be used to make kindling and chop some firewood if you plan on making one while you’re out.
If you’re lost, these tools could help you survive by allowing you make shelter and fire.
Finally, bring walkie talkies so that everyone in the party can communicate, even if you get separated.
Hayden Thomas is a Dad who loves to get outdoors and is always seeking his next adventure, with and without the family. During quiet Sunday evenings he enjoys sitting down and spending an hour writing, his articles appearing on parenting and adventure/travel related blogs.
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