No, this isn’t about gear. A while back I wrote an article about backpacking gear getting boring. So is camping gear.

It is time to talk about getting out into the wilderness and actually using your gear.

Sometimes I am amazed by the amount of time so many folks spend on the Internet talking about camping or backpacking, but not really going out and actually doing it. So many people talk about not having the time to camp or hike. Here is a little secret, you can go camping and/or backpacking over 100 days per year and work full time!

Before you say, “But I don’t live close to wild areas,” consider doing this: MOVE

If getting outdoors is important, which I assume is true for most people who spend days on end on Internet forums talking about it, then move if you live far from recreational opportunities.

It is my opinion that we, who value time outdoors, have two choices in life.

1. We can sit around at home, on our days off, waiting to die

OR

2. We can live our lives enjoying the outdoors

The typical American, who works full time, has an inventory of around 120 days per year to invest in outdoor pursuits.

It is your inventory for you to utilize. Unlike the warehouse manager or store owner, who does not sell the inventory today, and can sell it tomorrow – once our unused recreation day is over, it is lost forever.

Maximize your inventory of recreational days – use them. Set your priorities. Quit making excuses.