MicroAdventure: What it is + How to Do it

A newer term I have come across and love is Microadventure. I love it because it captures the essence of adventure in a way that is accessible to everyone. But what is a microadventure?

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Definition

The term microadventure was made common by British adventurer and author Alastair Humphreys, who defines it as an overnight outdoor adventure that is “small and achievable, for normal people with real lives.”

Initially, this term caught my attention because I thought it would be any small adventure. But after researching it, the basic premise is that you sleep under the stars in a sleeping bag or just using blankets. Humphreys encourages you to challenge yourself to 1 microadventure a month, for a year.

“When we experience adventure, we find ourselves in the present moment and savor all the beauty that life has to offer.”

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Advantages

Microadventures were created to encourage those with a busier lifestyle to get outside! One overnight microadventure can fit into almost any schedule.

Microadventures can happen anywhere, including your backyard. And can be done with minimal equipment (sleeping bag, blankets). This cuts almost every excuse out (not enough time, not enough money, not enough equipment, etc).

“You don’t have to be rich to travel well”

Eugene Fodor

The Rules

Simply enough:

Sleep outdoors. Don’t use a tent. Pack light. Plan simple. Seek wildness (Wildness is the essence of wilderness but can be found everywhere). Challenge yourself.

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Planning my Microadventure

Any camping I have done is inside a camper van. With heat. And a/c. And a self-contained toilet. And a mattress. Sleeping under the stars is definitely outside of my comfort zone. But maybe that’s exactly why I should try it.

But maybe I won’t start just yet… (I’m currently staring outside at the snow with an 8 degree air temp and -2 degree windchill).

Now that I have read and researched, I’m committed to challenging myself to my first microadventure. And I hope you’ll join me in your own!

I have always wanted to do an overnight hike, but have felt that would take much more prep and practice than I have under my belt at the moment. Meshing this into a microadventure will be perfect!

“Adventure doesn’t come to you, you have to go out and find it.”

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My Itinerary

Eat dinner (or possibly pack dinner to eat on location)

Drive to the location (30 minutes)

Hike to the spot- on a small mountaintop with a view (45 minutes – 1hr)

Watch sunset

Sleep in a sleeping bag on a hammock

Wake up the next morning to watch the sunrise

Hike back to the vehicle

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My Pack List

Hammock

Sleeping Bag

Water

Snacks

Breakfast / maybe dinner

Flashlight

Hiking Backpack

“The world is filled with adventure — all you have to do is find it.”

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My Purchase List

A sleeping bag.

That’s it. I’ve never purchased a sleeping bag for myself, so I’m sure I will put plenty (too much) research into the perfect sleeping bag. But that is the only purchase I will need to make for the initial microadventure. After that, they won’t cost a thing (other than food and gas if I travel far enough from home).

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Finalizing the Microadventure

The final step is choosing WHEN. In NW Arkansas, that can be tricky. In one week we can experience torrential downpours, 60-degree weather, subfreezing weather with -15 windchills, and snow. So this may need to be assessed on a week-by-week basis to catch the best weekend night to try my first microadventure.

I’m keeping my eyes open for an April or May night with no rain forecasted. Fingers crossed! Stay tuned…

“The best adventures often begin with a single step outside of the comfort zone.”

Unknown

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