Of all the skills and training I have in various sports and activities that I do, the most important skill I possess is my ability to plan ahead & prepare. Usually listed and taught in many outdoor curriculums and prominent in “Leave No Trace” principles, the ability to plan ahead & prepare for ALL of your outdoor outings is the single most important step you can take. There is a direct relationship to the amount of time you are away in the outdoors as to the importance of your planning. A local trip to the playground from your house has low consequence so very little planning is required, but a week-long hiking or canoe trip requires a lot of planning. With so many outdoor recreation activities moving to the front-country, or resort & day based, the plan ahead & prepare concept has been replaced by “I’ll pick something up while we are there.” This can be a great concept when you have products available to purchase, but not so great for remote areas or when you may need to buy specialized outdoor equipment or clothing.
Over the years, I’ve found great success in using a couple of key checklists when preparing for teaching courses, guiding trips, or heading out on my own adventures. I keep one list for all my clothing and equipment, and a second list for my menu and food. By using the same lists year after year—and never assuming I’ll simply remember everything—I’ve managed to avoid forgetting important items and always stay prepared.
Another strategy that works extremely well for me is consistently using the same clothing and gear on every trip. This saves a lot of time and stress during preparation. Wearing the same Smartwool T-shirts, the same zip-off pants, thermal layers, and reliable rainwear season after season has proven to keep me warm, dry, and comfortable in all kinds of conditions. Repeating what works removes uncertainty and makes trip planning far simpler.
This consistency also helps me pack my items into the same size compression bags I’ve used before, which then fit into the same backpacks or canoe packs—ensuring I stay light and compact while still having everything I need trip after trip. Having a great packing system and routine also gives me the flexibility to add new clothing or camp gear to test out without compromising my basic needs. This allows my kit to evolve as new items come to market. Seeing and sharing clothing and equipment ideas with other outdoor enthusiasts happens on every outing and is always a fun part of each adventure or course.
With guided trips, paddling, and camping courses put on pause this year due to health restrictions, I can’t help but feel that many folks might be missing out on essential outdoor training. Even though “plan ahead and prepare” is not always listed on course descriptions, it is always being taught. From equipment lists sent out by instructors to the lists of what participants should bring, the success of our outings is built on the preparations we take beforehand. Before and during courses, clinics, and trips, examples of gear lists, menu plans, grocery lists, group equipment, route plans, and risk management plans are all shared with participants so they can clearly see the importance and impact of this vital step.
I look forward to being able to teach courses again, hopefully sooner rather than later, and be able to pass on the valuable lessons that I have learned from my instructors and mentors over the years. After all, wouldn’t it be great to be able to pack up to teach a white-water canoe course in 20 minutes or less! Until that time, I am always happy to help people with advice for their adventures as best I can over the phone, at the store, or via email as everyone prepares for their summer adventures.
