Things to do before a road trip or hiking adventure. You can download my complete list of ROAD TRIP PACKING for FREE.
To make your next road trip or hiking adventure more organized and less stressful, I want to share with you a list of things to do beforehand.
Recently, after driving from our house to go on a hiking adventure, 30 minutes into the drive I remembered that I didn’t bring my hiking boots. This led me to ask myself: how should someone prepare for a road trip or a hiking adventure? I needed to create a full list of things to do before a road trip or hike. I figured I might not be the only one who has ever made a mistake like this, so I hereby offer you my comprehensive list of what to prepare. I’ve even divided the to-do list for couples. One for him and one for her, but feel free to mix it up to your liking.
Whether you are dividing tasks or figuring out what to do to make your day hike much smoother and hassle free, I think you’ll find this blog post helpful. Be sure to also check out my Day Hike near Mt. Baker Highway:Chains Lake Loop and Lake Ann
On our second hike this year of 2019, Mr. R and I set out to go hiking early in the morning. We woke up at 4:30 a.m. and we were out of the house by 5:15ish. Why did it take this long to get ready you might ask, even though we had gotten most of the things ready and packed so we could just get up, get dressed and hit the road.
So, feeling rushed for time, we quickly got coffee going, fed the dog, packed some extra clothes in our backpack, rushed out, hopped in the car and hit the road. As we got close to our hiking trail exit, Mr. R turned to me and asked, “Did you pack our hiking boots?” What?!!!—was my immediate reaction.
Hesitant and confused, I quickly said, “I thought they were in the car.” You see a week prior we had gone on our first hike and at the end of the hike I suggested keeping our boots and trekking poles in the car instead of bringing them in and out of the house every weekend as we plan hiking most of this summer. However, beforehand, because Mr. R was worried about having our car broken into and someone taking the belongings, he had brought everything that was in the car inside the house including the hiking boots and trekking poles.
I tell you, communication is a great tool . . . when used. By now you can tell we are still working on our communication as a couple. We turned around, went back to pick up the boots, and started our hike 40 minutes later than we had planned.
This inspired me to compose a checklist for us. We divided the tasks so that one individual doesn’t expect the other person to do something, or be surprised if it was never done. Helps when everyone is on the same page.
Enjoy my suggestions on how to divide your tasks as you prepare to go on a successful hiking adventure or a road trip. Have you hiked Chains Lake Loop & Lake Ann Mt. Baker up my Mt. Area?
Mr. R. Or For Him
1. Fill up gas the night before
2. Prepare coffee night before
3. Pack dog food and feeding bowl
4. Pack Poop bag for dog
6. Fill up our water on backpacks
7. Put boots and hiking poles in the car ☺
8. Feed the dog
Mrs. R or For Her
1. Buy hiking food and coffee
2. Pack glasses and charge phones
3. Prepare and pack food and drinks
4. Pack hiking clothes, socks and hat
5. Pack change of clothes. So if you are going to stop at a restaurant or meet friends you still look and smell nice
6. Make tea
7. Copy screen shot directions. This is really helps when you don’t have reception
8. Carry and display parking pass on the car windshield
9. Pack sunscreen and Lip balm
What would you suggest I add on this list of things to do before a road trip or hiking adventure? Do you have a story to share of a road trip or hiking adventure that went not as planned? If so, please share it with me on the comment section.
Let’s explore the world together—Travel with Irine
Check out my hiking adventure up;
Skyline Divide Trail and near Mt. Baker Area
Yellow Aster Butte Trail in Mt Baker Area
You can also watch my hiking, camping and travel videos on my YouTube channel.
Great list Irine!👍🏼 we leave our hiking boots/poles in the car all the time. we change when we get to our destination & when were done with our hikes.