Sometimes, you just can’t make an adventure happen. Plans fall through, cars break down, storms roll in, injuries occur, natural disasters strike, or a global pandemic shuts everything down… You get the idea. These things are beyond your control, but it is still both disappointing and frustrating when they happen. So what can you do instead? Here are suggestions on how to spend your time wisely when you can’t go adventuring. And they just might make your future adventures even better!

Adventure Gear Maintenance

Perhaps the least fun part of undertaking adventures is gear maintenance. Take care of your gear, however, and it will continue to take care of you longer and more effectively. Down days are a great time for these chores. Some of the most common things you may find yourself needing to do include:

• Restocking used or perishable items (first aid and repair kits)
• Re-weatherproofing materials (think jackets and boots)
• Washing hard-to-clean items (bulky packs)
• Re-packing things for storage (like taking sleeping bags out of stuff sacks).
• While you’re at it, consider personalizing gear with patches or stickers.

If you have a collection of gear in need of its own space, put together a dedicated “gear closet”. This helps keep items organized and ready to pack, and can keep you motivated by essentially displaying your adventure goods. Gear closets can be as small as a shelf or as large as an entire garage. Another benefit of a gear closet is realizing what items always get left home. If it doesn’t get used, perhaps you can sell or re-home gear to other adventurers.

Research Adventure Gear Upgrades

Whether you’re just getting started or an adventure veteran, there’s a strong possibility you’re thinking about some sort of gear upgrade. This might be small tweaks to make your pack a little lighter, or a major investment like a new tent. Or maybe you’ve got an entire wish list of gear upgrades. Great! This is the perfect time to do your homework and make some changes.

Part gear maintenance, part gear upgrade, consider the items already in your adventure collection as a starting place. Are there simple alterations you can make to lighten your load, like trimming extra-long straps? Another way to ‘upgrade’ gear is to stop take apart pre-made kits when you really only use one or two parts. An example of this is meal kits with all the dishes and utensils. Items that don’t get used shouldn’t get packed (except emergency items like first aid kits!).

See if any items fulfill multiple purposes; on the flip side, see what does only one thing that an other piece of gear could do. A perfect example of this carrying is a multi-tool instead of a knife, tweezers, scissors, and pliers. Take just one tool instead of four – or more! Can you use gear you already own to actually carry fewer items?

After you’ve looked at what you already have, you may decide that it’s time to purchase a new bit of gear. Research the items you’re interested in, and include reading user reviews; it’s best if you can find reviews in multiple places. Don’t forget to consider second-hand gear! Many adventurers will sell gear they’re not using either directly or through outdoor shops which offer used gear sales. Gently-used gear can not only save you money, it is also better for the world you’re gearing up to explore.

Reflect on Past Adventures

Who doesn’t love stories from their past adventures? There is so much to gain from reflecting on outdoor experiences. Sometimes, however, we are so busy rushing from one trip to the next that we don’t take the time. Indoor days may be the perfect opportunity! Revisiting memories, photographs, and journals from your trips can trigger some of the same mental and emotional reactions from the original experience. And if you are anything like me, you probably have a few photos you haven’t edited or stories you haven’t shared yet.

Reflecting on past adventures can also give you valuable insights on how to prepare for future trips. If you’re planning to revisit an area, you will have a better idea of what to expect and what gear you might want to bring along. If you are heading into new territory, considering similar places you’ve gone to can help you to do the same. You can also think about changes you need to make next time you head out so it’s even more enjoyable.

Plan Future Adventures

Nothing gets you out of the funk of disappointment brought on by cancelled adventures like planning the next one. Or maybe several! Start by researching an area you are interested in exploring; this may mean picking up a guide book, pouring over a map, or searching online for recent trip reports. Learning about new-to-you locations can really spark excitement.

Once you’ve figured out where you want to go, then you can start getting into the nitty gritty of the plan. Some people aren’t fans of logistics, while others absolutely love the nitty gritty details of how to make an adventure a reality. Consider what time of year to visit, how long you’ll be out, what gear you might need, and even what you’ll have to eat to celebrate success at the end.

Level Up Your Outdoor Skills

While hands-on experience is – in my opinion – the best way to really improve your adventure skills, you can start to build a pretty solid foundation at home. If you’re a novice adventurer, this is a fantastic time to learn about how to take yourself to the next level by learning about continuing your outdoor adventures smartly, safely, and sustainably.

There are a lot of practical skills that are suggested for anyone venturing into the back country. Consider learning how to read a map and compass, knot tying, basic wilderness first aid (for people and pets), and outdoor cooking. If you are looking for something to make your adventures more fun, you might start learning about photography, animal and plant identification, or nature-inspired creative pursuits like drawing, painting, and writing.

Get A Coach And A Cheerleader

In addition to all the scenarios at the start of this post, knowledge is one of the main roadblocks preventing people from having epic adventures. There is just SO MUCH that it seems you are supposed to know how to do! Figuring out where to begin can feel overwhelming. It’s better to just stay home, right? No!

Get unstuck and ready for the trail with a little help from someone who has been there. Whether you need insights to help refine your gear, or someone to show you the ins and outs of planning your trek, I’m here to be your coach and your cheerleader. Are you ready to start your adventure? Let’s go!