Everything You Need to Know Before Going Off-Grid
There’s nothing like heading out of earshot of the busy world and deep into the heart of the wild; packing everything you need to survive on your back and powering yourself beyond the luxuries of home; immersing yourself into nature and temporarily sharing lodgings with wildlife.
Self-sufficiency comes with the very real responsibility of your own safety (and those who are with you like pets, children and other dependants), and that all comes down to knowledge and preparation.
First things first—what does ‘off-grid’ mean? Being off-grid means being out of reach of public utilities, in this case in the backcountry—a remote and sometimes difficult to access natural area.
Safety and Navigation
Knowing you’ll be out of cell service and away from other lifelines and conveniences we take for granted, you may be wondering what do I do if I get lost? Or what if I get injured? The hazards of the backcountry can be mitigated and avoided with some basic knowledge of safety and survival. Some of the skills necessary include learning how to use your navigation system of choice, practicing deploying bear spray (with the handy test canister), and knowing what each item in your first aid kit is for and how to use them.
Another essential element for safe and happy returns is planning. Pick a destination and research the journey. Bust out a paper map, read up on the trail online and download an offline route.
Start small and close at first. You might hike out of cell service in your provincial or national park for a day, working your way up to more out-there places when you’ve got your gear set up, knowledge and confidence mastered. One nighters are a great way to find your footing in the backcountry camping scene.
Once you’ve picked the perfect setting for your first backcountry experience, figure out if you need any special permits or passes and decide on a date. Try to pick a warm weather date for your first time—winter trips are amazing but add another layer of challenges and risks best undertaken once you’ve worked the kinks out of summer and shoulder season trips.
Put a plan in place. Be sure to share it with someone and include the destination details, when they should expect you back and what to do if you are overdue.
Once you know the length, elevation gain and that you’ll be weighed down by a pack full of supplies, make sure you are physically prepared. Being realistic and having common sense is essential for a safe and enjoyable off-grid trip in the backcountry.
What to Pack
Next, make and check off a packing list. There are many variations available online, but the basics of what you’ll need are covered by the 10 essentials: insulation, navigation, food, water, First Aid, light, repairs/tools, shelter and connection to the gridded world, such as an emergency locator beacon.
Beyond that, when it comes to dressing for a trip and making a personalized packing list, I start at my head and tick off the needs of each part of my body to make sure I don’t forget anything—from a hat, headlamp and hair ties to blister bandages, boots and extra socks for a river crossing. Pack for the coldest temperatures possible for the season, destination and whether you run warm or cold, keeping in mind that nights can cool off dramatically, especially in the mountains. Dressing for the outdoors is all about layers: peel off if you warm up, layer up if you’re cold.
Though it is unlikely your trip will turn into a survival situation, the basics for outdoor survival, in order of importance are: shelter, water and food.
Shelter
Shelter can be a tent, tarp, bivy or other option to crawl into and away from the elements. Even if you aren’t planning on staying the night, you should be prepared to in an emergency. If you are planning to spend the night, know where you can camp before you go. There may be designated backcountry campsites. If not, choose a level site with a durable surface, avoid depressions in case it rains and steer clear of dead trees in case it gets windy.
Sleep setups vary, but a sleeping bag and sleeping pad combo ensures warmth and comfort. Warmth might be the last thing on your mind during the sweaty hike in, but chills can set in fast once your boots are off and the stars start twinkling.
Hydration
Pack plenty of water—rehydrating meals will deplete your drinking water. If you know there will be a water source available where you are headed, pack water filtration gear to ensure you can clean it (chlorine tablets or filters).
Water can carry a number of pathogens which, once ingested, can quickly give you all those unpleasant flu-like symptoms. These can turn dangerous if you are unable to keep hydrated and moving. Thus, the importance of having clean water to sip on is obvious. Unfortunately, the difference between uncontaminated and contaminated water is not as clear—even crystal lake water can be suspect.
If, say, you lose your filter, the best bet for clean water is to boil it if you can, or source it from running sources such as streams or springs. Stagnant water is more likely to contain contaminants.
Food
Food tastes so much better outside—if you think dehydrated meals and weird snack combos aren’t delicacies you’ll dream about the entire hike up, think again. Enough nutritious food can be the difference between a good and a miserable trip. Have extra calories in some form tucked away on the chance you’ll need it. Plan out meals and snacks in advance, keeping in mind you’ll burn more calories hiking and producing your own heat at night than when you’re on the grid.
Never share food with wildlife. Visiting the backcountry means sharing turf with wildlife who call these areas home, so they need to be part of the consideration equation too. Pack a way to secure food away from camp at night, whether that’s a canister or cordage for bundling and hoisting it out of reach. Never keep food, toothpaste or other attractants (scented products) in your tent: that’s a recipe for midnight quaking in your sleeping bag while something rustles just outside your tent fly.
Final Thoughts
You can never be too knowledgeable when embarking on an off-grid adventure, especially if you are going alone or are responsible for a little one or two. Being prepared and safety conscious will only ensure a great trip and build confidence and zest for future adventures.
Stay alert, follow the trail, note landmarks, keep bear spray within easy reach and stay hydrated. Pack extra layers and snacks for everyone you’re responsible for. If it’s just you and your shadow, make some noise for the moose and the bear in the back.
Review the Leave No Trace principles to guide your outdoor ethics and help you make decisions about where and if to make a fire, what surfaces are best to camp on, best waste disposal practices and beyond.
Above all, enjoy the disconnect and peace of being off-grid!
