Right after my graduation, I went on an adventurous trip with my friends. We planned it for a long time and wanted this trip to be a memorable one. Well, it was indeed memorable, but not in a very good way.
Reason?
It’s because we were so excited that we forgot to plan some must-have items for every trip. Well, to know what things we missed the most, read on, because you’re about to learn some very important lessons about adventurous trips.
An Internet Connectivity
Solar Power Bank
Smart Water Bottle
Multipurpose Knife
Before departing for our destination, we all knew the internet wouldn’t be available at each nook and corner. However, it wasn’t something we lost our sleep over because we wanted to spend quality time together anyway.
Everything went well until a friend of mine got bitten by something on a hike. It wasn’t anything poisonous, but my friend was screaming in pain. Till then, we didn’t need an internet connection but this made us nervous. We panicked because we couldn’t call anyone as cellular signals or the internet wasn’t available.
Luckily, we did find some people who were happy to help. They managed to ease his pain somehow and we all were relieved after that. However, the lesson here is to make sure that you’re always connected to others because things can go south without giving you a warning.
Here, I’d like to give a shoutout to AT&T Internet because when I went on a solo trip the next year, AT&T was available everywhere. Not only did it put my mind at ease, but knowing that I could depend on AT&T’s Internet if something went wrong kept me calm.
Solar Power Bank:
The next thing we missed was a solar power bank. We had power banks at home so we didn’t buy new ones. But, we forgot that once they ran out of battery, there wouldn’t be any electricity to charge them while exploring the wilderness.
So, that’s why I’m recommending you to get a solar power bank. The best thing about a solar power bank is obviously its ability to charge by sunlight. So, not only does it charge on its own, but it’ll be a much-needed backup in case your phone’s battery dies out. Just make sure to hang it behind your backpack and keep going.
Smart Water Bottle:
You may fill up your water bottles from the hotel before going out. But, how many water bottles can you actually carry if you’re planning to camp? Well, not a lot of bottles, I assume.
Also, trusting the local water sources like rivers or waterfalls is your call to make. But I won’t suggest gulping down that water without making sure that it’s safe to drink. Plus, you can’t boil water to kill all the bacteria or viruses in the middle of your journey. So, what can you do?
Well, simply buy a smart water bottle. All you need is to fill the bottle with a water source, be it a river or a waterfall. Then, tighten the lid and let the smart bottle do its work.
Usually, the caps of such smart water bottles have UV radiation. As soon as the cap is closed, UV radiations pass through the water and kill the bacteria or any harmful element in the water. This way, you won’t have to carry a lot of water bottles or quench your thirst with unhealthy water.
Multipurpose Knife:
Even if you’re fully loaded with helpful stuff, a multipurpose knife like Swiss Army Knife should be in your backpack.
On the same trip, we needed a can-opener. We had a knife and were pretty sure that it would get the work done. As unlucky as we were on that trip, the knife’s handle broke as soon as we tried to open the canned food. Plus, who carries multiple knives anyway?
Moreover, after our adventure with the insects, we didn’t want any uninvited problems. So, instead of using that handleless knife, we had to take help from sharp-edged rocks.
While we only needed a can-opener, there are so many other tools in a small yet effective multipurpose knife that may help you out. So, keep a multipurpose knife in your backpack because you never know in what way you’ll use it.
Bonus Suggestions: While we badly missed the above items, the following gadgets helped us a lot:
A Portable Neckfan: A portable neck fan can help counter hot and humid weather. Especially when hiking, just wear it around the neck and climb the mountain with a cool head.
Trekking Poles: Instead of relying on uneven sticks, trekking poles can bear your weight with ease. Most trekking poles are collapsible, lightweight, and adjustable to your height.
A Dry Bag: You can store multiple electronic gadgets like smartphones, power banks, torches, and more in a dry bag as it will keep them safe and dry.