How To Prepare For A Week In Harsh, Outdoor Conditions

Preparing for a week in harsh, outdoor conditions is something you need to do if you want to travel to the most amazing places on Earth or simply get away from civilization for a couple of weeks. But what should you do to get yourself and everything you need ready for such an adventure? 

Fortunately, this post has some answers. It explains what you need to do to prepare for a week in the open air so you don’t wind up having to call it off. 

Ensure You Know The Environment

The first step is to make sure you know and understand the environment. Many people set off on journeys, assuming that they have everything they need and that they know the territory, even if they don’t. 

For example, the clothing and other requirements for a week in a hot desert are quite different from those required for forested or mountainous areas.

Furthermore, the wildlife hazards can be different. Lowland forests are natural bear country, while high peaks aren’t. 

Ensure Your Shelter Is Reliable

You also want to ensure your shelter is reliable and suitable for the conditions you will find yourself in. Four season shelters are best for extreme conditions since they offer protection against the sun, wind, snow, rain, and nearly everything else you might encounter. 

The same should be true of your sleeping bag. You want something that will keep you warm in the harshest of conditions. 

Dyneema is probably the best material for challenging locations simply because it is so strong, waterproof, and resistant to microbes (meaning you can pack it wet without it going moldy). Another option is nylon, though it isn’t quite the same. 

Bivvies and tarps are also handy if you have the space in your pack for them. They provide additional dry areas for things like drying out clothes or boots. 

Ensure You Have Everything On Your Person

When preparing for a week or more of harsh, outdoor conditions, ensure you have everything you need on your person. You don’t want to be fiddling around. 

Using Bifrost Gear for these purposes is one option. It allows you to clip the things you need for survival onto your body, making them easy to grab when you require them. 

Carry Navigation Tools

This could apply to your navigation tools. Keeping these close by allows you to see where you are at any given time. 

Most survivalists use electronics for geo-location today. However, GPS devices can become damaged or lose signal, which is why you want a backup, too. 

Maps and compasses are critical here. Keeping these in a waterproof case provides you with an option you can use if you have basic navigation skills. 

Pack A Multi-Tool

At the same time, you’ll want to pack a multi-tool. Again, these come in handy for repairs, cutting, and preparing your food. You don’t have to rely on these for every activity, but having one in your pack can be essential, especially if you need to perform gear fixes on the trail. 

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Becky

Meet the award-nominated UK lifestyle blogger behind Spirited Puddle Jumper – a mum of three living in South East London! Becky shares the real ups and downs of family life, parenting tips, and lifestyle inspiration, proving that being a mum doesn’t mean you stop being fun or having other interests! Follow along for honest insights into UK family life and opinions on a whole range of topics, from travel and food, to beauty reviews, home and DIY, business and health and wellness.