An adventurous life is like a healthy diet. Daily habits matter. That’s why microadventures are so valuable. Saturday afternoon free? Make it count. Hours of daylight after work in the summer? Take advantage. Not every adventure needs to be, or even should be, a multiday epic, and these small, fast missions can bring a much-needed element of adventure into your daily life. And you can do more of these insta-excursions if your gear is organized and ready to go, especially if you’re into a variety of activities.
Tips from a Pro
L. Renee Blount knows the value of being ready for anything. The adventure photographer is a longtime climber and an avid trail runner, skier, and mountaineer. As a multisport athlete, Blount needs to be nimble for last-minute assignments and impromptu adventures.
“I have a basement where the gear is hyperorganized,” the Fjällräven ambassador says. “That way, if I need to pull any piece of gear, I know exactly where it is. You don’t want to spend 45 minutes looking for tubes when you have the chance to take a quick bike ride.” Her advice:
Organize by activity. All of Blount’s camping gear is in one place, and all of her climbing gear is in another. Put each sport’s gear in a separate bin.
Label it. Use painter’s tape and write exactly what is inside the bin on the outside so you don’t have to open lids when you’re searching for a specific piece of gear.
Keep a duffel bag ready. It’s so much easier to say yes to a spontaneous adventure if you’ve already started packing. A waiting duffel preloaded with nonperishable snacks is a great start.
Gear Pick
Blount’s favorite “go bag” is the Färden 50, a large-volume duffel that doubles as a backpack. “I love being able to switch it to a backpack, and it’s great for air travel too because it’s identifiable and easy to spot in a crowd of other bags,” Blount says. “I’ve done at least nine big missions overseas with it, and it still looks great.”
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In 1960, Åke Nordin founded Fjällräven in his basement in the town of Örnsköldsvik in northern Sweden. Today the company’s timeless, functional and durable outdoor equipment enjoys a global presence and can be found in over 70 countries. Fjällräven’s product range comprises outdoor clothing and accessories for men and women as well as backpacks, tents and sleeping bags. As a company, Fjällräven makes every effort to act responsibly towards people, wildlife and the environment and to encourage people to take an interest in outdoor life.
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