Preparing for a Family Survival Hike
Preparing for a Family Survival Hike: The Ultimate Guide
Imagine breathing the fresh mountain air, hearing the crashing rivers and sharing these incredible moments with those you love. Family survival hikes are not only a great adventure, they are also a great way to strengthen family bonds while connecting you to nature. However, such an expedition requires careful preparation to ensure everyone’s safety. Follow the leader !
The importance of good preparation
A stay in the great outdoors is not without risk. Capricious weather, rugged terrain, wildlife… There are many obstacles that can stand in your way. It is therefore crucial to anticipate and plan what is necessary to deal with any situation. Preparation is the key to a successful experience!
The choice of equipment: be equipped like a pro
The backpack : Invest in a good hiking backpack for each member of the family. From recognized brands like Osprey Or The North Face, these bags will be your best assets on the field.
Clothes : Adapt your clothing to the weather and season. Prefer technical and breathable clothing. Marks Patagonia Or Columbia offer a wide range of quality items.
Survival equipment : A first aid kit, a compass, waterproof matches… All these small objects can make the difference in an emergency. Don’t forget a map of the region!
Itinerary planning: where the adventure begins
Develop an itinerary that works for everyone in the family. Remember that the main goal is to have a good time together. Be realistic about the distance and difficulty of the course based on each person’s age and physical condition.
Physical preparation: be in great shape
Good physical fitness is essential for a survival hike. Prepare several weeks in advance by including cardio sessions such as running or cycling in your routine. You will also need to work on your endurance and resistance to exercise.
Food and water: the essence of survival
Water and food are essential for survival in the wild. Make sure you have enough water for everyone in the family and consider bringing water purification tablets. As for food, opt for light foods with a long shelf life and high energy value, such as dried fruits or cereal bars.
Respect for nature: being a responsible hiker
Preserving nature should be a priority for every hiker. Respect the fauna and flora, keep your waste until you find a suitable bin, and use marked trails to minimize your impact on the environment.
Having fun: because that’s the goal after all!
Never forget that fun must always be at the center of the adventure. Enjoy every moment spent together, admire the landscapes, create lasting memories. This is the true spirit of a family survival hike!
In summary
Preparing for a family survival hike is an adventure in itself. Choose the right equipment, develop an appropriate route, prepare yourself physically, think about water and food, respect nature, but above all… have fun! And remember, every hike is a unique adventure, no matter what unexpected events you may encounter, they are part of the experience and will always teach you something.
Essential equipment for a survival hike
When the essential becomes vital
When on a survival hike, it’s crucial to remember that every item you carry counts. Each item is a clever mix of utility and weight because a hike that is too busy can quickly turn into an ordeal.
1. The backpack
The first basic item on our list, the backpack must be able to carry all of your survival kit. We recommend the Osprey Atmos AG 65 backpack for its comfort and storage capacity.
2. The first aid kit
Essential for a survival hike, a well-stocked first aid kit can save your life if needed. Don’t forget to include bandages, sterile dressings, tweezers, a pair of medical scissors, and an antiseptic.
3. A water bottle or water bag
Hydration is vital during any physical activity. We particularly like the LifeStraw Go water bottle. Not only does it have a built-in filter that removes 99.9% of water bacteria, but every purchase helps provide clean drinking water to a school in need.
4. A Multifunction knife
A must-have for any outdoor adventure. A good knife can be used as a cutting tool, to prepare your food, or even to light a fire. THE Victorinox Swiss Army is a timeless classic.
5. Light and heat: Lighters and lamps
Nothing is more unpleasant than finding yourself in the dark in the middle of nature. Carry a headlamp with you to keep your hands free and a lighter to start a fire if necessary. We recommend the Black Diamond Spot headlamp, for its impressive brightness and autonomy, as well as the SPPARX plasma lighter, wind resistant and rechargeable via USB.
6. Food
No need to bring your favorite cans of food, think light and easy to cook. Energy bars or packets of dehydrated food are perfect for these occasions.
7. A navigation kit: map and compass
Avoid getting lost and stay on course with a good old detailed map of the area and a compass. We particularly like compasses Suunto for their precision.
There you go, you now have in your hands the list of essential equipment for an adventure in the great outdoors. But don’t forget the most important thing, your sense of adventure and your smile!
Survival Skills to Teach Children
Orientation learning – A sense, not a device
There is no question here of entrusting navigation to Siri or Google maps. It is essential that our children learn to understand the natural environment around them. Teaching the compass, using the stars for navigation, and reading topographical maps are skills that never go out of style.
Prepare your backpack well
Whether it’s a Eastpak or an adventure backpack Osprey, what our children put in it is crucial. Teaching them the importance of always having a water bottle, first aid kit, survival blanket, Swiss army knife, flashlight, compass and emergency food is a lesson they will carry with them for the rest of their life. their life.
Basic first aid knowledge
Bumps and scrapes are commonplace in the outdoors. Familiarizing children with the use of dressings, bandages and cold packs is a great first step. Regular training of the Red Cross can be a good idea to deepen these basics.
Food and water preparation in the field
It is absolutely vital that our children know how to find, purify and prepare water and food when out in nature. This includes skills such as campfire cooking, fishing, identifying edible plants, and using a water filter like the Lifestraw.
Play detective with nature
Knowing how to read the clues left by nature – i.e. animal tracks, marks on trees, rock formations – can be a fun and educational game to help children understand and respect nature. ‘natural environment.
And there you have it, we’ve taken a look at the main survival skills to teach our children. Because ultimately, teaching our children to survive in nature also means teaching them to respect and appreciate it. So, don’t wait any longer, go out, explore and have fun with your family!
Family Survival Hike Experience: Stories and Tips
Family Survival Hike Experience: Stories and Tips
Among the many activities you can enjoy as a family, a survival hike is undoubtedly one of those adventures you will never forget. Not only does it strengthen family bonds, but it also trains your little tribe to deal with various unforeseen situations. Here’s a story about one of our experiences, along with some helpful tips.
The adventure begins: preparation and departures
I vividly remember the day when, sitting around the kitchen table with my wife and two children, we decided to go on a family survival hike. In our luggage, there were basic necessities, such as the brand’s survival kits. Survival Kit and hiking outfits The North Face. It’s important to make sure everyone in the family has what they need to stay safe.
The walk towards the unknown: first sensations
Finding ourselves in the middle of the forest, far from the comfort of our home, was a totally unsettling but wonderful experience. With the children, we learned how to build a shelter, make a fire and even find food. It is essential to always stay in constant communication and keep a team spirit to make sure everyone is safe and no family member is left behind.
Confronting harsh reality: trials and tenacity
Of course, there were difficult moments: the bitter cold of the night, the desperate search for drinking water or even the rush of unwanted insects which seemed to like our tents more than we wanted. But thanks to our mental and physical preparation, and branded equipment like LifeStraw for drinking water and Therm-a-Rest for camping mattresses, we have managed to overcome these challenges.
Learning to survive: between campfire tales and ancestral techniques
Additionally, this adventure taught us essential survival skills. We learned to read a map, to use a compass Suunto, to identify edible wild fruits and to build a makeshift shelter with tree branches. These skills are not only invaluable, but they have also boosted our self-confidence and our ability to deal with difficult situations.
All in all, a family survival hike is a wonderfully rewarding adventure. This is a unique opportunity to learn from each other, support each other and demonstrate resilience. But to make it a positive experience, it is essential to be well prepared, both physically and mentally, and to have the appropriate tools and equipment. So pack your bags and embark on the adventure!
