4 Tips for More Adventures (plus a coupon for a free day off work)
So, your goal this year is to spend more time outdoors doing what you love. Here are four actionable tips that are sure to increase your outdoor-to-indoor ratio.
Photo: Dan Loch
It's Saturday morning and the sun’s popping up with clear skies. Or there’s fresh snow in the mountains. Or the river’s running at just the right level.
1. Be Ready
The easiest way to enjoy more of these moments is to be ready to take advantage of them when they happen. It takes time to get organized and out the door, but with just a little prep up front, you can be on your way to the trailhead almost as soon as you wake up. The best time for you to do this is on any rainy day, when you’re yearning to get outside, but can’t. Writing it down encourages you to follow through. With no list, you’re stuck burning time rummaging through trail descriptions and maps. You can also make a virtual list via The Outbound. Prefer working from printed guidebooks? No problem! For each adventure, keep a photocopy from the guidebook, a printed map, and driving directions.
Photo: Jason Hatfield
2. Gear Ready to Go
Set up a gear closet, with each piece of gear hanging in its own designated place. That way, you can quickly find and grab what you need for the adventure at hand. There’s a peg for your pack, a peg for your climbing harness, a peg for your snowshoes, and so on. Sleeping bags and tents can either hang or sit on a shelf. Keep another shelf free for smaller accessories, such as your water filter, camp stove, compass, first aid kit, and headlamp. Be sure you can see everything with a quick glance so you can easily select the right gear for the adventure. The key is, once you return from your adventure, get everything cleaned up and put back in place right away so you’re ready for the next one.
3. Food Ready to Go
If you’re like most people, you either end up scrounging around the house for something to pack (PB&J?) or you make a stop on the ride out of town. The problem is that for the typical day adventure, where it takes 1-2 hours to drive to your destination, adding another 20-30 minutes to stop and pick up food puts many cool places out of range. The solution? Try a service, such as Trailfoody, that sends you trail food each month, already packed in a stuff sack and ready to go. Added bonus: you’ll also get to discover new trail food brands you might not have otherwise found.
Photo: Christin Healey
4. Take Some Days Off!
Figure out the best times of the year for adventuring where you live, and go ahead and schedule a few days off from work. Next, invite a few adventure buddies to do the same so they can join you. This tip is obvious, but simply scheduling time is a powerful, yet overlooked, way to increase your outdoor-to- indoor ratio.
Have a boss who’s stingy with vacation days? Try using this handy “coupon” for a free day off!
Share this with anyone you know who suffers from Insideitis
About Trailfoody
Like Blue Apron or Hello Fresh—but for outdoors people—Trailfoody sends you yummy trailfoods for you discover each month. Designed specifically for day adventures, Trailfoody brings you the right mix of nutrition and energy for your outing, with foods that can either pair together as a no-cook meal or be eaten spaced out in smaller breaks. Trailfoody keeps you adventure-ready.
Outbound Collective members can get half off their first month with code OUTBOUND.
Cover Photo: Sam Dean
We want to acknowledge and thank the past, present, and future generations of all Native Nations and Indigenous Peoples whose ancestral lands we travel, explore, and play on. Always practice Leave No Trace ethics on your adventures and follow local regulations. Please explore responsibly!
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