Under-Planned, Adequately Prepared
Or, surviving spontaneity
We’re not nearly as reckless as we seem
Consistently, and usually among those who don’t know us too well, we receive many words similar to: “that’s dangerous”, “don’t do that", “why are you doing that?”, etcetera.
Most weekends we spend outside and we try to carve out time, best we can, to go out and do fun, challenging things. Hikes without worry for bad weather, van trips in a vehicle nearly as old as us, long runs in silly places, you name it.
Kristy and I have been doing these sorts of things as long as we’ve been together—and both of us long before then too.
Despite some experience, we get a good amount of well-meaning and unsolicited advice along the way.
What feels reckless and unprepared isn’t truly.
A lot is definitely unplanned, though. We head out without much direction often, with a few key items that help us stay safe, comfortable, and sleeping in warm beds most nights.
I want to go through some key items that really help us out.
I’ll talk a little about each thing, why I like it, and where I think you might find one. I’ll link to a “new” version but encourage you to buy used. All of this stuff can be found cheap and secondhand. There’s no reason to buy any of this new. It should all last or be easily replaceable for cheap.
None of these are affiliate links.
Jug of Water
Easily the most versatile item on this list, a jug of water in each of your vehicles and a couple at home is key. Sometimes you need a bunch of water after a long run, clean water to rinse an injury, or just a little more to put out a campfire.
Don’t bother buying reusable jugs. They’re great too but gallon milk-style jugs last and you can always cut them up to make a water bowl for dogs or simple scoop. Just be sure you can get another before you start cutting.
Where to get one: any grocery store
Link to one I like: the cheap flimsy plastic kind—because it’s versatile.
Capilene (Patagonia baselayer)
I first bought these working for Baseline Solar. I needed lightweight layers to be outside and these are amazing. I bring one with me anytime I think I might need a light jacket. They’re warm when wet and make awesome running layers too.
Everybody should have at least a couple of these. I’ve almost entirely abandoned waterproof clothing and accept getting wet. These will keep you very comfortable even if you’re soaked on a chilly day.
Where to get one: check out Roanoke Mountain Adventures for any secondhand clothing and outdoors equipment. You can fully equip yourself for adventures for 75% off new prices. It’s an awesome store.
Link to one I like, if you want to buy new: patagonia.com
Jumper cables AND jump box
Talking adventures: we’ve frequently out far away from cell phone coverage, in bad weather, and often in a 1990’s Ford Van we converted during Covid.
Engines don’t always start and even if yours does, it’s cool to help others too.
Follow this simple rule: jumper cables to help others. Jump box to help yourself.
Don’t use the jump box to help others. You might need it.
Where to get one: probably prudent to buy these new or gently used. Oversize them both: bigger gauge wires and a higher rated battery box than your current vehicle needs.
Link to one I like: Jump Box, Jumper Cables
First Aid Kit
Your first aid kit should be a variety of items that you understand how to use and enough of them to get yourself and a small group out of a bind. We end up with a lot more small cuts, scrapes, and headaches than anything else. Some really good things to have:
Antihistamine (Benadryl): more tablets than seems reasonable. If you end up in a yellow jacket nest with yourself and all your buddies, you’ll want them. Ask me how I know.
Spray antiseptic: find this in a grocery store or online. We carry a vet-specific one too (and have used it on humans, they just end up blue!)
Tape, a lighter, safety pins: any little odds-and-ends that might make repairs easier. First aids kits are a good place to carry these.
Basic painkillers, and multiple kinds: people have preferences, allergies, and know what works best. Headaches, menstrual cramps, and back pain are more common than any injury.
It’s good to have a “main” kit, kits in cars, and a significantly smaller version for fanny packs. Make it easy to carry your first aid kit all the time.
Where to get one: build your own based on your expertise and capabilities. Put it in an appropriately-sized Ziplock. Look up basic lists online.
Link to one I like: Ready-made ones are lame and won’t have what you need when you need it. Experience makes good first aid kits.
Snacks, always
This one is easy. Bring snacks. Just a Snickers bar at least. Being hungry isn’t fun. Make sure you have something to eat whenever you’re heading out the door.
Where to get one: again, the grocery store!
Link to one I like: You can choose your own snacks. If you don’t know what to eat when you’re outside, follow Alyssa Leib and Morgan Corl!
Headlamp
Bring a headlamp even when you don’t think it will get dark on you. In our world, it gets dark on us often.
Where to get one: keeping with the theme, Roanoke Mountain Adventures!
Link to one I like: Buy-if-for-life Amazing Headlamps
Knife
This isn’t some “everyday carry” alpha blog but a good knife is essential. A pocket knife is a perfect tool and everyone should carry one except to the airport and courthouse. If you get in the habit, you’ll start to understand how useful they truly are.
I’ve had various knives since I was a small child. Choose what works best for you and won’t make you cry if you lose it.
Where to get one: your odds and ends drawer or local sporting goods store. Buy a brand you’ve heard of before.
Link to one I like: This one is good. But don’t break the bank on a knife.
‘Nam shovel
An entrenching tool is a mil-jargon word for folding shovel and digging tool. Ours is stamped “1965” and affectionately known as ‘Nam shovel.
‘Nam shovel usually rides under the seat in the van, across from the jumper cables. It’s gotten us unstuck, although never in the van—we’ve never gotten those big tires stuck—and is good for so much else: digging fire pits, putting out campfires, emergency bathroom breaks…the list goes on!
An honorary mention for our Boy’s Axe as well. It’s not with us all the time but always while camping. It’s what you actually want when you think you want to buy a hatchet. It’s the right size and splits campground-purchased firewood into appropriate sized pieces for small fires.
Where to get one: A yard sale, your parent’s garage, or a military surplus store.
Link to one I like: I’m sure they aren’t made like they used to be…but…
Sleeping bags
Blankets and sheets keep you comfortable, sleeping bags keep you alive. We keep them in our cars and always in the van. Buy a 20-degree bag and you’ll be good, at least in the southeast US.
Where to get one: another great item to find at Roanoke Mountain Adventures
Link to one I like: The Cat’s Meow
And if all else fails…$20
What single item goes with me on every run, walk, and outing there is? A $20 bill.
If everything else goes wrong in your day, twenty bucks can usually bail you out. That’s some cheap, hot food. It’s water at a gas station or a way to thank the nice person who gives you a ride back to your car.
Where to get one: It’s $20
Link to one I like: I like every $20 bill I’ve ever had.
I hope this was a fun and informative list! I promise, we aren’t crazy. It’s not that we don’t sweat it if plans don’t go our way: we don’t often have a plan in the first place.
Unplanning works for us day-to-day in this reasonably hospitable place we live. Of course when we do bigger things or go wilder places, we plan. But these items really help us make what we do possible.
Always a great read! Great tips. Snacks are life 🙌🏼
Quite frankly, you never seemed reckless to me!