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Trip Preparation Whether you are heading out for a day trip or a long weekend of camping, you can soften the impact to your wallet by planning carefully. Many times you won't just save money, you'll free up money for other things to make the trip more enjoyable. The first thing to consider when planning a trip is to decide how long you will be gone. That is followed closely by figuring out the whether and terrain of where you will be. I'll break down the lists by the length of the trip, then the environmental considerations.
Pack the proper clothing. Plan for every possible weather change that could happen in your area. Here in New England, its common to head out to a trail in warm weather with the sun shining, only to finish the trail in the rain and 30 degree cooler air. The opposite is also true, so make sure you have some warm weather clothes even if its cool when you head out on the trail. Wear the proper footwear. If its a winter run in the snow, don't wear sneakers. Wear warm winter boots, but make sure they are comfortable enough to walk in, because you will probably spend a lot of time standing and walking around while others attempt obstacles. |
Assemble a decent first aid kit. You don't need to spend $40-$50 on a store bought first aid kit that has everything necessary to do a heart transplant, if you don't know how to use most of it anyway. If you can find a good deal on a good first aid kit, then by all means, go for it. If you are on a tight budget, then pack the common items you may need while in the woods. Here are the most common items that should be in any first aid kit:
Band-Aids in assorted sizes
Antibacterial ointment
Gauze pads in assorted sizes
First Aid tape
Burn cream
Instant Ice compress
Scissors
Depending on the area of the country you are in, and the current weather conditions, you should consider some of the following:
Suntan oil for hot, sunny climates. This is especially important in the spring, when warm weather will have more of an impact on you.
Sunburn cream. For the same reason as above
Instant heat packs for cold climates.
Snakebite kit
While packing for the trip, consider taking some of the following. It can make the trip much more enjoyable.
Drinks. Bring plenty to drink. I'm not talking about alcohol; that shouldn't be included in day trips anyway! Bring lots of water and juices to keep you hydrated. Soft drinks can dehydrate you, so keep them to a minimum. You will only be craving more after drinking them. Drinks are especially important during warm weather.
Snacks. Bring sandwiches, crackers, cookies, and anything else that will keep your energy up. Try to limit salty foods which will dehydrate you.
Lunch. You can bring an affordable lunch of sandwich fixings packed in a cooler. Buy the makings in a grocery store or warehouse store to cut down on cost. Lunch foods are quite expensive at the small markets you'll usually hit while gassing up before a trail.