Week 1: Get Out!

The #1 reason people don't overland, is that they have great excuses: "I don't have any camping gear", "I don't know where to go", "A bear will eat me", "My car can't make it", etc. So put away all the excuses and start today by Getting Out!

Let's start small with a picnic. This is a micro version of camping and helps you start assembling some of the essentials. Here's a quick list to gather:

Once you have the above items, then head to your favorite deli for a sandwich and a drink (don't forget that water bottle too), and then pick a short trail in a local park.

Of course this is more fun with a friend, so buddy up, and they might even join you on your first camping trip!

After the hike, please read Week 2: Every Day Carry to update your picnic backpack into a full adventure pack!

Talking about gear...

Most of the items need no explaining, but a few are worth describing the reasons for.

Assuming you drive a car, there are a few essentials you should always have in your car. A blanket is useful if you break down in the winter and need to wait out until help arrives. If you live in earthquake country like I do, we are also advised to be ready to spend a day or two stuck in our car near our work. Water is essential to life and without it, a simple waiting game can turn into a non-fun hunt to quench our thirst.

Walking shoes aren't just for exploring new towns or light hikes. Sometimes in an emergency you have to hike out, and those 3 inch pumps or flip-flops are going to make a few mile walk into a very unpleasant trek.

Baby wipes are incredibly useful. They make cleaning up really simple and they don't take up much space.

Having these items scattered around your car is less than ideal, so putting them all in a backpack keeps them from cluttering up your car and ensures you always have them. It's also easy to transfer between cars.