New Year's Resolutions For Campers
Goals for 2007 that Campers, Hikers and Backpackers Can Set
Here we are, at the beginning of a new year. The long held tradition of making New Year's Resolutions means this as an excellent time for campers and backpackers to look ahead to 2007 and set some goals for ourselves. Goals that will help us be, or continue to be, responsible outdoorsmen and women and to enjoy our forays even more. Here are mine:
CAMP, HIKE OR BACKPACK MORE OFTEN. I did not get outdoors nearly as much as I would have liked to in 2006. My first resolution is to take more time (or in my case, MAKE more time) to go camping, hiking or backpacking in the coming year. I already have my first trip planned in less than a week with my father-in-law and three brothers-in-law. I'd like to average at least one outdoor trip each month this year, even if it's only to a nearby county or national park and even of they are only day trips or one-nighters. I NEED these outings, both for my physical health and for my spiritual and emotional well-being.
TRY NEW EQUIPMENT, GEAR OR LOCALES. It's easy, especially if you've used it for a long time, to get so attached to a piece of equipment or gear that you deny yourself the joy of discovering how much a new or different device, utensil or tool might improve your outdoor experience. Over the next couple of days I'll be trying out 2 different tents in my backyard to see if I might prefer one of them to my current tent on my next excursion. Anything that makes your camping, backpacking or hiking trip easier or more enjoyable is worth trying out.
I love finding new locales for camping, hiking or backpacking. The excitement of exploring a new trail or campsite adds a great deal to the outdoor experience. But more than that, if you make a drastic change in locale such as going from a temperate climate to a colder one, you find yourself needing to try out that different equipment or gear that I mentioned above.
BE ORGANIZED. There are few things worse than arriving in the wilderness ready to enjoy the camping, hiking or backpacking adventure, only to find that you forgot to pack some necessary gear, equipment, utensil, tool or food. I have made it a habit to pack my gear and equipment when returning from a trip, while it is fresh in my mind, so that it is ready for the next outing. This habit and the use of a list make it easier to not forget that one vital "thing", whatever it might be, when getting your gear and provisions packed.
BE SAFE. This may be last, but certainly not least as I've already discussed previously. Your safety while camping, hiking or backpacking, especially if you are alone with no one to assist you, is paramount. I'm well aware that no one is ever completely safe, even in the everyday world, but it is our responsibility when making our way into the wilderness to take every precaution possible to insure our safe return.
