Fast Packing
I know, "fast pack" means something else, but in addition to going fast and light, I'm thinking here about "getting ready to go in a jiffy." A recent goal of mine has been to streamline my trip preparation process to the point that I could, on the spur of the moment and without any preplanning, come home from work and be ready to hit the trail in less than 20 minutes.
This has been a bit tricky for me in the past because I use some of my gear on an everyday basis, so I can't keep my pack entirely loaded between trips, and there are some tasks you simply can't do far in advance. Also, I was brought up on the tradition of pulling out all your gear just before a trip and going through your essentials list at that time. So even with my best efforts, getting ready to go entailed a huge mess in the living room, and frantic worrying that I might forget something important or, more likely, some little convenience or luxury.
With my new approach, I'm practically ready to leave at all times and I have a method for making sure I cover the last minute issues even if I'm under pressure, feeling scatterbrained, and have somebody standing over me with car keys in hand.
The key to my system is a single page worksheet that I keep on my computer. I print a fresh copy of it on my return from each trip. It is divided into two columns with a separate checklist in each column.
Post-trip Checklist
The first column is my Post-trip Checklist which covers not only gear checking and maintenance, but also repacking for my next adventure. This list itemizes all my gear that can stay packed from trip to trip except my sleeping bag and down jacket that need to be stored uncompressed, and excludes any gear that I use every day, such as my Driclime Wind Shirt.
Since I probably don't know where or when I'm going out next, I pack a default 3-day supply of all consumables. This will get me through a weekend with a safety margin. Food is in the form of staple packaged items that can be stored. If I don't have time to think creatively about food at the time of departure, I'll still be able to get by for a weekend without giving it a second thought. On the other hand, I can always augment or change my menus at departure time if I wish.
My system kicks into gear upon my return home from each trip. I unload my pack and go about laundering, cleaning and drying all my gear. I also refill and replace any consumables that I used on the trip, such as fuel, soap or my trash bag -- maintaining my default 3-day quantities. When everything is ready to put away I sit down and repack, checking off each item on the work sheet as I go. I've arranged the list according to the three stuff sacks I use, and in the order that I pack things in.
After completing the Post-trip check, I fold the worksheet and store it with my pack, which from that point on is considered somewhat sealed and sacred. The rule is, I cannot borrow anything from the pack unless I also move the item from the Post-trip to the Pre-trip checklist.
Pre-trip Checklist
The Pre-trip Checklist occupies the second column of the worksheet. It's really short. When I'm ready to leave, I pull out my pack and grab the list. The Pre-trip list reminds me to do last minute things like check my head lamp batteries, make sure I have road and trail maps, fill my water bottles, get the clothing items that are still in the closet, etc. Now it only takes a few minutes to pull together my complete kit.
The Pre-trip checklist also has a section called "Trip Variables" in which I list things I might want to consider taking depending on the weather, destination, trip duration, etc. If I do have more time to prepare, I can spend it exploring experimental gear ideas or putting together a more gourmet menu. Trips longer than a weekend tend to be more planned and have more preparation time built in. Still, I could get away with the minimum of working out additional food and consumable supply requirements if necessary.
Over the past few months I've refined my Fast Pack lists for the Summer season. I will be working on a Spring/Fall worksheet over the next couple of trips, followed by a Winter version if I get up my courage to venture into that realm this year. So far, the system has worked beautifully for me. I no longer have to choose between a hectic packing orgy and trusting my luck, which too often leads to getting out to camp and finding that I'm missing a book to read, or that my compass is not present because I took it out for the rogain event and forgot to put it back.
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This last week, we had one of those stunningly beautiful Autumn days, you know, the kind where everyone you meet says "what are we doing at work on a day like this?" Well, in the middle of the afternoon, I said to myself, "Right! I'm outta here!" Five o'clock rolled around and I grabbed my stuff, drove out to a local trail head and hiked in to a secluded campground by a beautiful lake. I had a wonderful evening watching the stars come out and listening to the geese fly overhead. It was the middle of the week, there was nobody else around and it felt so decadent, but I was back to work in time for meetings the next morning. My friends think I'm a little cracked, but I know I've just discovered how to catalyze the magic of serendipity! Hmm, I know it's one o'clock in the morning and I'm just thinking of this now, but it IS Saturday; why don't we set the alarm for 5:00 and hit the road for the ADKs this weekend? |