Appreciation post: Sorting my camping junk finally clicked with route picking

I was digging through my old backpacking gear in the basement, lol. All my stuff was mixed up, and planning a trip felt like a chore. Then I lined it up by trail type, like easy overnights or tough multi-day hikes. Seeing my light sleep system right there made the quick forest route seem doable right away. Now I match my gear piles to trails on my wish list without any stress. It's wild how a messy corner at home can make the outdoors feel more inviting. That forest loop is booked for next weekend, no second guesses.

2 comments

2 Comments

nina_kim13h ago

How did you decide on your categories? I did the same thing last month with my climbing gear! Having my quick draws hanging separate from my big wall kit stops that "ugh where do I even start" feeling. Now seeing the sport rack makes me instantly picture the local crag after work. It turns a closet mess into a real plan.

susan1110h ago

Interesting point, @nina_kim. I actually keep my quick draws with my sport rack because it matches how I pack for the crag. If I separate them, I always forget something like my belay device. Seeing it all together means I grab one bin and go, no second guesses. For big wall stuff, I have a totally different bag so it's separate anyway. Makes my pre-climb routine way smoother, lol.