"Ahhh shit, I forgot the coffee..."
Forgetting to take something on a trip is the worst, and it happens all the time. So now I have this really helpful list on my phone, that I go through while I'm prepping for a trip.
Here's my list:
SAFETY
- First aid kit. I take a decent one on an overnight trip.
- Battery pack - something like THIS is ideal
- EPIRB - I don't go anywhere without my INREACH
- Fire extinguisher
RECOVERY GEAR
- 2 x 9m tow straps
- Tree trunk protector
- D shackles and soft shackles
- Air compressor
- Tyre deflator
- 4 x Maxtrax
- Shovel
- High Lift Jack
IF I'M TAKING MY OFFROADING TRAILER WITH THE ROOF TENT
- Sheets / duvet
- Pillow
- Charcoal grill and charcoal
IF I'M NOT TAKING THE OFFROADING TRAILER:
- Bivy - I use the Outdoor Research Helium Bivy, it's tiny, but warm
- Tarp and rope / small ratchet straps
- Sleeping bag
- Pillow, because comfort is important
- Sleeping mat, because again, comfort. These are the business.
FOOD AND EATING THINGS
- Plate, cup, cuttlery, and washing liquid and cloth to keep 'em clean
- Water - I plan on 3 litres per day per person
- Tinfoil and tinfoil trays, great for a fryup on a fire
- Toothbrush, hygiene is important
- BBQ tools. Even if I'm not taking a BBQ
- Fire lighters and newspaper to light a fire easier
- Salt, pepper, Tabasco etc
- Collapsable bucket
- Cast iron fry pan
- Jetboil type water cooker, like this
- Coffee
- 12v Cooler
OTHER IMPORTANT THINGS
- Speaker - sometimes music is good by the camp fire. Sometimes it's good when it goes flat, too
- Floodlights - the wee T1000 is perfect, I normally take 2 or 3 of these
- Tools - sockets, spanners, cable ties, a hammer, test light etc
- Chainsaw - I use a small petrol chainsaw, but I really should have an battery one. Ideal for clearing tracks and sourcing firewood. Make sure there is fuel in it!
- Jandals / Slippers. If it's cold, slippers at the campsite are nice. Don't knock it until you try it!
- Wet weather jacket and pants. This does the job perfectly.
- Spare hiking boots
- A tarpaulin, just as a backup plan. Good for staying out of the rain
- Gumboots
- A camp chair
- A spare set of clothes. Hardly ever needed, but being wet sucks
IF I'M FEELING REALLY FANCY...
(these things fit nicely on the roofrack)
- Weber BBQ and gas bottle
- A trestle table
- Easy Up awning
Have I missed anything? Let me know in the comments below!