I know what you’re thinking. I mean, what on earth, are non-essential essentials?
That just doesn’t make any sense.
Let me explain. As I spend quite a bit of time in the wilderness, I’m very familiar with how to pack for a trip to the woods. More often than not, like any trip where folks are going to unfamiliar places, people overpack. Most things just sit at the bottom of your bag, and you end up kicking yourself for throwing in that solar shower. We all know to bring sunscreen, sturdy hiking shoes, a supportive backpack and plenty of water. These things are essential. Here are some items that you might not think to bring though in my opinion, they can make all the difference in the world. Drumroll please….
1. Extra batteries.
I’ve seen it happen before. You dust off the cobwebs to your headlamp or yikes, even worse, circa 1990 flashlight and throw it into your bag without checking to see if it still works. And then, in camp, just as you have barely enough light left in the day to locate your light source in your bag, you switch it on and nothing happens. It’s out of juice. Save yourself the headache, and pack some extra AA or AAA batteries. They don’t take up much room and once you’re out there, you’ll be so glad you threw some extras in.
2. A fleece skirt.
I can’t have enough fleece clothing when I’m camping. I wear a fleece pullover in the evening, a fleece hat in the early morning, and I even have a fleece liner that I use in my sleeping bag on rafting trips. The most comfortable thing I like to wear in camp though, is a fleece skirt. The skirt keeps you warm yet breezy , easy access for changing into pants or shorts, and most of all, it’s comfortable.
I have three different ones in various colors, and I always throw one into my bag before I head out on a trip. They aren’t exactly something you can buy at your local outdoor store, and so if you’d like to check out some for yourself, here’s a link to some nice ones.
3. A really good book.
Once again this is something that people usually cut from their list early on in the packing. Don’t get me wrong, I strongly believe that a key part of being in the wilderness is being present in the moment, watching the sun set and listening to the sounds of nature. But you can only do this for so many hours. There’s something to be said for curling up in your sleeping bag and enjoying a good read. That is, if you can keep your eyes open for that long.
4. Super Salve.
So many of us spend the majority of the day typing or writing, not really using our hands for harder, physical activity. When you spend the whole day outside, your hands get worked. On the river, my hands are constantly getting wet and dry, and I get cracks in my skin easily. I find the best thing that works is Super Salve, an all-natural, antibacterial salve that works wonders.
I like to put some on before bed and in the morning, my hands and feet are moisturized and ready to face another day.
5. A pillow.
A pillow is a true non-essential essential. It is so much more pleasant to sleep on an actual pillow than a bunched up pile of clothes. I know, it can be bulky, though Thermarest puts out quite a nice compressible pillow. Still, when I head out for an overnight camping trip with my friends, I make sure to bring a pillow to ensure a good night’s sleep.
Photos courtesy of Fleece Skirts and Super Salve company.