Quick and Easy Essential Tips for Your Summer Wilderness Adventure Checklist
When the summer heat cranks up, the wilderness can quickly shift from a relaxing escape to an unforgiving environment. Between soaring temperatures, relentless humidity, and the threat of dehydration, your outdoor adventure can easily go from fun to frustrating. But don’t worry—by preparing properly, you can ensure a smooth and enjoyable experience. Here's a more detailed guide to help you prep for your summer wilderness trips:
1. Pre-Plan Your Routes Around Water Sources
Why It’s Important: In the summer, staying hydrated is key, and having access to fresh water can make or break your trip. It’s easy to overlook this, but planning your route around reliable water sources—streams, rivers, lakes, and even natural springs—is essential.
How to Do It:
Research beforehand: Use topographic maps and apps like Gaia GPS or AllTrails to identify water sources along your route. Mark them out and make note of the elevation changes, as climbing up a steep slope could lead to a lack of access to water.
Know your options: Be prepared to filter water. Sometimes the closest water source may not be pristine—bring a reliable water filter like a Sawyer Mini or LifeStraw to ensure you're drinking safe water.
Avoid stagnant water: Steer clear of standing pools or swampy areas. They tend to harbor harmful bacteria and parasites.
What Not to Do: Don’t wait until you’re dehydrated to look for water. Always keep an eye on your hydration levels and rehydrate as early as possible. It’s better to carry extra water than to risk running dry.
2. Pack Quick-Dry Clothes & a Wide-Brim Hat
Why It’s Important: Summer hiking or camping means sweat, sunburn, and possible heat exhaustion. Lightweight, moisture-wicking clothes help you stay cool and dry, while a wide-brim hat provides critical sun protection.
How to Do It:
Choose the right materials: Opt for clothes made of synthetic or merino wool fabrics. These are breathable, moisture-wicking, and quick-drying, which is perfect for summer hikes.
Wear layers: A breathable base layer will keep you comfortable during warmer parts of the day, while a light jacket or outer layer can be thrown on in the early mornings or evenings when it gets cooler.
Sun protection: A wide-brim hat is essential to shield your face, neck, and ears from harmful UV rays. Look for one made from lightweight material that dries quickly.
What Not to Do: Avoid cotton clothes. Cotton absorbs moisture, making you more susceptible to chafing and hypothermia if you get wet. Also, avoid hats that are too tight or made of heavy materials; these can make you feel hotter and more uncomfortable.
3. Schedule Hard Tasks During Cooler Hours
Why It’s Important: The middle of the day, when the sun is at its peak, is the hottest part of the day. You’ll want to reserve your most strenuous tasks for early morning or late afternoon to avoid heat exhaustion and fatigue.
How to Do It:
Plan your day: Set an itinerary where you complete physically demanding tasks like setting up camp, collecting firewood, or gathering water early in the morning or as the sun starts to set. This will keep you in the shade and out of direct sunlight when you’re most active.
Take midday breaks: Use the hottest part of the day to relax and hydrate. Find shade, sip water, and rest when the sun is overhead. This is the best time for a midday nap or to eat a meal in the coolness of your tent or tarp setup.
What Not to Do: Avoid strenuous activities like hiking or carrying heavy gear between 11 a.m. and 3 p.m., when the heat is most intense. Trying to power through the midday heat can quickly lead to dehydration, dizziness, and exhaustion.
4. Pack a Reflective Tarp, Bug-Net & Shemagh
Why It’s Important: In the summer, you’ll be dealing with not only high temperatures but also bugs and potential sunburn. A reflective tarp like the Texas Bushcraft Survival Tarp provides shade and better temperature control versus a non reflective tarp, a bug-net keeps you comfortable at night, and a Shemagh offers multiple uses from sun protection to an emergency towel.
How to Do It:
Set up your reflective tarp: Use a reflective tarp or space blanket to create a shaded area for your campsite. Position it with the reflective side facing out to bounce the heat away. You can easily set it up with a ridgeline, which helps create ventilation.
Use a bug-net: Insects like mosquitoes and flies are more active during the summer, especially at dawn and dusk. A bug-net over your sleeping area is a game-changer to keep you from waking up covered in bites.
Bring a Shemagh: A Shemagh can do a lot in hot weather. Use it as a scarf for neck protection from the sun, soak it in water to cool down, or use it as a towel to wipe off sweat.
What Not to Do: Don’t underestimate the power of bugs in the summer. Even if you’re used to them, you’ll regret not packing a bug-net or something to protect your skin. And while a regular tarp provides some shelter, a reflective one offers more shade and keeps you cooler.
5. Double Your Water Capacity
Why It’s Important: During the summer months, you’ll need more water than usual to stay hydrated and cool. Even if you’re near a water source, it’s always good practice to carry extra water in case of emergencies or longer-than-expected treks.
How to Do It:
Carry a collapsible bladder: These are lightweight and can carry up to 3 liters of water or more. They can be easily stashed in your backpack and expanded as needed.
Bring a reliable water filter: Don’t rely solely on the assumption that water will be clean. A good filter like the makes sure you’re always ready to purify water from streams or lakes.
Hydrate frequently: Don’t wait until you’re thirsty to drink water. Stay ahead of dehydration by sipping consistently throughout the day.
What Not to Do: Don’t assume you’ll find fresh water whenever you need it. Having extra water on hand is essential, especially if you’re trekking through areas with unreliable water access. Also, never drink untreated water straight from a natural source without filtering it first.
Final Thoughts
Summer wilderness trips can be incredibly rewarding, but they come with a unique set of challenges. With these prep tips, you’ll be ready to handle the heat, stay hydrated, and make the most of your outdoor experience. Remember, the goal is to stay comfortable, safe, and prepared, no matter what the summer wilderness throws your way. So, plan ahead, pack smart, and enjoy the adventure!
Who We Are
At Texas Bushcraft, we are a small family-owned business founded in 2018 in Austin, Texas. We were motivated to share our love for the outdoors and inspire others to enjoy nature without the need for big, fancy gadgetry. Our mission is to preserve traditional bushcraft skills and support our customers on their path to self-reliance. We offer simple, elegant outdoor gear and educational resources to help you prepare to thrive in the great outdoors. Thank you for choosing Texas Bushcraft as your guide.
