The One Thing you Forgot

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You packed up the truck, checked over your gear, and headed out into the wilds for a great weekend or week of camping. Then it hits you: was it the lantern? The fishing pole? Your lucky hunting knife? What was the one thing that you forgot? It doesn’t seem to be a question of whether you forgot something, but rather what it was that was left behind, and the relative importance of it. Maybe you have fifty different flashlights from fifty different trips, and you can’t even remember to put one of them in your truck. Whatever it is, it is sure to get left behind, unless you really plan ahead.

One of the most basic and yet most helpful things that you can do to save yourself some aggravation and some trouble is to make a list. Write down every little thing that you think you will need on your trip, from matches to underwear, and write it early! Trying to make a list in the evening before you leave will mean enduring the same mental scramble that you go through morning of. Instead, begin making your list as soon as you decide to go on the trip, and add to it every time you think of something. You will be so organized that you will know how many raisins are packed in your trail mix!

The second part of this plan is, of course, implementation. Actually use the list when you are getting ready. Flashlight? Check. Pack it, then cross it off or highlight it or whatever works for you. Don’t erase anything, though. You can use this master list to help you next time. In fact, as soon as you get back add anything that it would have been nice to have so that you will indeed have “it” next time. (Did you fall in the creek and have just enough socks for the weekend? Make a note to bring extras on the next trip.)

There is a third hint that goes along with the list idea, and that is to pack sometime before the last minute. That will help to ensure that you are not desperately trying to get through the list before your departure goal time. This will help to minimize the number of times you have to turn around when you remember, for example, that your sleeping bag is neatly stacked atop your cooler full of food… right next to the front door where you left them.

The earlier you pack, the better. If possible it would be great to load your vehicle early as well, but don’t leave things in your truck bed overnight unless you don’t mind if they are missing in the morning. Don’t hesitate, however, to tape a huge note to your own windshield so that you cannot possibly forget to go back inside for the cooler, the flashlight, or the family. If you are bringing food as well, then you may want to stash a list of grocery items in the car before D-day, and stop to shop on the way out of town.

So you’ve made your list, checked it twice, and packed and re-packed your bags for the weekend. Keep them near the door or in one central location instead of leaving them spread through your house, and you will minimize stress as well as loading time for your truck. You may want to take the list along with you so that you can re-pack the truck with everything that you brought along on the trip with you – and not a flashlight less.

-Ben Anton, 2007
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