Packing for a short microadventure ain’t that fun 🙁
But how do I make sure that having to pack for an adventure does not stop me from going?
“I would love to go my dear. But I just can’t see myself spending all this time packing.”
– The girlfriend of this posts author.
I have learned a few tricks that help me. Maybe they can inspire you?
When to write your list
The difficult part, I think, is to actually decide that NOW is the time to create the specific list.
– You can make the lists long before the trip.
This is the option, where you can plan it to fit into your busy everyday life. But beware. All your other daily routines might try to fight you on this one. “I also have to clean the house” “Ohhh wait. Netflix has a new show I have not yet seen” “But I am so exhausted from work. Will do it tomorrow”.
– While you are packing.
This one is not that easy for me to do. When I pack. I pack to get out there as soon as possible. Sometimes I have a deadline, so I don’t have time for creating the list… at least that’s what I keep telling myself.
– After the trip.
Now is a good time to write down all the gear you are now putting back to the shelves and boxes. Also, you have fresh in your mind. What did I use, what did I not use and what did I forget to bring. To me, this is the best time to start writing or editing my lists.
Where to keep your list
This is a personal choice. To me, Google Sheets works perfectly.
I can access them both on the PC and on the mobile. I can easily create versions suitable for hiking, bike packing, solo or with the family or friends.
Packing list for a hiking microadventure
The list below is an example of how you can create a packing list for a microadventure.
You are very welcome to copy my list and use it when creating your own.
As you can see I have two lists. One with the type of item. The other with the actual item. The first one is a quick one to create. The second one makes my packing much more quickly when I just want to get out the front door.
When you know exactly WHAT to bring, you don?t have to start thinking. “What jacket should I bring”.
Of cause, this is not a list that you cannot change while packing. Depending on weather etc. I might want to bring a warmer jacket. Or if it its all dry and I won?t be getting close to muddy areas, I might want a shoe without GoreTex.
But I hope you get the point in why a packing list is essential for getting packed fast.
Packing list for hiking microadventure
| Type |
| Wearing |
| Hiking shoes / boots |
| Socks, wool |
| Boxer shorts |
| Pants |
| Wool shirt / T-shirt |
| Backpack |
| Sunglasses |
| In backpack |
| Shell jacket |
| Shell pants |
| Buff/hat |
| Wool socks |
| Fleece- / Fiber- / Down jacket |
| Mobile with navigation app |
| Map |
| Toiletpaper |
| Garbage bag |
| Water |
| Food |
| Snack |
| Spoon if the food demands so |
| Knife/multitool |
| I love coffee, so I often bring |
| Gas burner |
| Gas |
| Pot |
| Coffee maker |
| Coffee |
| Cup |
| Overnighter etc. |
| Sleeping mat |
| Sleeping bag |
| Silk liner |
| Hammock |
| Tarp |
| Bivvy bag |
| Lightweight pillow |
| Headlamp |
| Beer |
| Whiskey |
| Book |
| Personal belongings |
| Toothbrush |
| Glasses |
| Contact lens case |
| Contact lens solution |
| My choice |
| Wearing |
| Inov-8 346 GTX |
| Norrskov |
| Wool: Dilling – Syn: Kappa |
| Norr?na Lyngen / REI convertible |
| Aclima Light wool |
| Osprey Talon 33 |
| Slastik Titan |
| In backpack |
| Rab lightweight shell |
| Tierra GoreTex pants |
| Random Buff |
| Norrskov |
| Montbell fiber jacket |
| RideWithGPS |
| Optional / perhaps print one |
| Enough |
| A plastic bag from the kitchen |
| In Nalgene |
| TBD |
| TBD |
| Long titanium one |
| Leatherman |
| I love coffee, so I often bring |
| SOTO Windmaster / MSR Superfly |
| Remember with screw on for SOTO |
| REI Ti kettle |
| GSI filter |
| In Nalgene |
| Aladin thermo |
| Overnighter etc. |
| Therm-a-rest Neoair |
| Depends on season |
| Sea to summit |
| Ticket to the Moon |
| Integral Designs |
| Bivvy bag |
| Exped UL pillow |
| Suprabeam V3 Pro |
| A good one |
| Single malt |
| Not the heavy one |
| Personal belongings |
| Toothbrush |
| Glasses |
| Contact lens case |
| Contact lens solution |
More ideas to your packing list
This packing list can work as a basis for other and more advanced packing lists.
What I do have besides this basic list, is lists that include:
- Biking
- With my kids
- Winter microadventures
- When I need to bring more camera/drone gear
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