The most talked about items for spending time in the outdoors are found in the 10 Essentials that are required for backpacking, but what else should you have?
Your pack should have the 10 Essentials, but you can find this list many places online and it doesn’t change much, except from season to season. The question you should ask is what items do other outdoor enthusiasts swear by and want to take with them whenever they head off into the wilderness for the weekend? Here are a few of the essential items you need that should be part of your pack as a weekend warrior.
Ok, we’ll start with the 10 Essentials
These ten items are required for wilderness survival and should already be in your pack. If they are not, this is where you start when building your pack for your time in the woods.
Ten Essentials for Wilderness Survival
- Multi-tool or knife
- Water filtration system
- Reliable fire starter
- Navigation tools
- First aid kit
- Headlamp with extra batteries
- Tarp or lightweight shelter
- High-energy snacks
- Bug protection
- Layered clothing and rain gear
Going for comfort
Now that we have the bare essentials out of the way, there are some items you should have with you during your time in the wilderness. Many items you want when you head outdoors for a weekend full of fun should be items that are meant to make you more comfortable. These items can make your trip more fun than if you only packed the 10 Essentials for Wilderness Survival.
Camp Chair or Lightweight Sit Pad
Do you want to sit on the ground? Will there be picnic tables where you go? If you don’t want to rely on the forest or previous campers for your seating requirements, you’ll want to pack a lightweight camp chair or sit pad in your pack. Some chairs are small and look like three-legged stools, and sit pads can be as simple as a gardener’s kneeling pad. One of these items can give you the seating you need when you’re in the forest.
Hammock
Even if you don’t intend to spend the night in the forest, you might want to put up a hammock and spend a few hours taking a nap, reading, or relaxing while admiring the scenery. Hammocks come in extremely small and lightweight packages that can make them one of the most essential items for your outdoor experiences. A hammock can fit in a small pocket on your pack or hang off it in its own carrying bag.
Camera or Smartphone
You’ll want to document your experiences in the wilderness, and you should have your smartphone to make emergency contact or send up a signal beacon when necessary. You can use your smartphone for your photos, but if you want to preserve its battery, choose a small camera that you can take digital photos with and download them when you get home.
Portable Speaker
When you spend a few days in the wilderness, you might want to enjoy some music while you are relaxing. Some people don’t feel that they need the distraction of music, but it could be fun to play a few tunes while preparing meals or sitting around a fire. This could be one of the essential items you enjoy during your time in the outdoors.
Journal or Sketchpad
Another great way to document your time in the wilderness is with a journal or sketchpad, depending on your level of artistic ability. Use the journal to write down some of the fun experiences you’ve had while in the forest, or draw out your favorite scenes. If you don’t think you’ll use these items, leave them at home; they will only take up space in your pack.
Cards or Small Games
A deck of waterproof cards can be one of the most essential items for your time in the outdoors, especially if you go into the wilderness with your family or friends for a few days. You can play several card games and keep each other entertained when you have nothing else to do. If everyone in your group brings a small game, you’ll have lots of fun activities to enjoy when the forest goes dark.
Instant Coffee
When you spend a few days in the wilderness, you’ll want to have some coffee to give you that morning start that you’re used to at home. Instant coffee is lightweight and easy to carry, making it a great choice when you want to get your day started right.
Are there any other essential items you would consider taking with you to the outdoors for your time in the wilderness? Will those items fit into your pack?
