Exploring the wild side of the Costa Blanca
Exploring the wild side of the Costa Blanca
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I enjoy a wide variety of outdoor adventures (as you can see here), but there is some outdoor gear that I absolutely cannot live without, and will carry them with me (or wear them) regardless of what kind of adventure I plan to do.
Some of these items are practical, and make my adventures run more smoothly.
Certain outdoor gear can allow me to fully explore, and be flexible with my adventures, making the most out of my trip or day out.
While others things help to keep me safe and sturdy, so that I do not get sick or injured while in the mountains!
These items are either things that I personally own, outdoor gear brands that have been reliable for me, or specific outdoor gear that is on my wish list!
Okay, so the last item the list is not essential, but they do look pretty cool!
If you want to know more about my adventures click here.
I cannot go on any adventure without a hydration system. I like to live “hands free” and therefore do not want to be carrying any outdoor gear, such as a water bottle in my hand!
A hydration system can consist of a:
For me, this is an essential piece of equipment because:
Check out these 3 different hydration outdoor gear options…
Camelbak is the original brand for hydration systems, so you cannot go wrong with them!
Why the Camelbak 9L backpack is great:
A bumbag style hydration pack might be better if you:
Why the OSPREY bumbag is great:
My top tips:
Just before use, fill to the top, and rinse the straw under a warm tap to defrost any water that may have frozen inside.
Not only do I love SALOMON trainers, but I love their range of trail running backpacks too!
Check out this one…
Why the SALOMON running vest is great:
My top tip:
To prevent bacteria from growing between use: completely empty the bottles, remove the lids, and store all parts in the freezer until you use them again.
Looking for TOP RATED TOURS in the Costa Blanca? Check these out…
Another important accessory that you should carry on your adventuress is the ability to charge your devices, via a:
This type of outdoor gear is essential to:
Would like to CYCLE AROUND A RESERVOIR? Check out this blog post…
Half/1 day adventure
When I go out for the day or even half a day adventure, I always carry at least a smaller portable charger, which has enough power to keep my phone charged throughout the day
2- day adventure /overnighter
If I am wild camping overnight, then I will take a more powerful portable charger.
Multi-day trip
However, if I am going on adventures any longer than that (e.g. multi day wild camping) I take more outdoor gear: a portable charger AND a solar charger. Both are necessary, because solar chargers only work while it is sunny. Unfortunately, they do not retain the charge.
Therefore, I attach the solar charger to my backpack or bike bag, and use this to charge the portable charger during the day.
Then at night while I sleep in my tent, I use the portable charger to charge my phone/torch/etc.
It is not practical to keep your mobile phone plugged into the solar panel during the day if you are going to use it for any reason, because the repeated unplugging of the cable soon causes it to break, leading to unseen damage whereby it appears to be working, but there is a slow charge occurring, or none at all! A hanging cable can also get caught and physically damaged.
Check out these awesome chargers…
Anker is the king of portable chargers. I have used them for years, and they have always been super reliable outdoor gear.
Why the ANKER High-capacity powerbank is great:
Why the BIGBLUE Solar charger is great:
My top tips:
Carrying a headtorch is crucial piece of outdoor gear.
I always carry a headtorch with me on my adventures, even if I plan on going out for a few hours. You never know when you might want/need one!
For example:
In the UK, I found myself in a risky situation up a snowy mountain when my crampon broke, and I was unable to take my planned route down because it was too dangerous.
Instead, I had to walk down the other side of the mountain and take a much longer route back in eventual darkness. On this occasion I didn´t have a torch!! Luckily, the moonlight reflecting off the snow, and a series of cairns lead me back to safety!
Not only do you need a torch, but it must be reliable. So, it is essential that you invest in good quality outdoor gear.
Check out this swanky adventure flexible piece of kit…
Why this PETZL headtorch is great:
To use it for cycling, you can connect it to bike handlebars in conjunction with BIKE ADAPT.
To use it for rope activities or cycling, you can attach it to a helmet with HELMET ADAPT.
You can also use this CARRY CASE to turn it into a lantern or hanging lamp. Perfect for all of your wild camping needs!
My top tip:
Looking for Transfers, Long distance travel, Cab rides, Hourly chauffeured car rentals or Delivery services? Check this out…
Living in the UK, a water filter was a necessary piece of outdoor gear, and something which I used almost every weekend while hiking or running.
In wetter countries, it is easy to collect water in the mountains, which is great because it reduces the water (and therefore the weight) that you have to carry on your back.
In Spain, this was something that I used during my wild camping trips to the Sierra Nevada and Pyrenees, where I spent around a week or so sleeping in the mountains, therefore surviving on the water that I collected from streams, natural springs or from melting snow!
In the Costa Blanca, it is difficult to find water in the mountains. However, A portable water filter could also be used for water from “fuentes”/”fonts” (fountains/springs), either natural or man-made, where it states that the water is “no potable” (not drinkable) or where there is no sign to indicate whether it is or not.
Sawyer is one of the best water filter systems for outdoor adventurers, and I have owned three of the original versions because they come in different colours! (although they have brought out some other fancy outdoor gear since then!)
All you have to do is fill the pouch with water, screw on the filter, and squeeze.
You also need to clean (“backwash”) it between adventures with a plastic device that is included.
They kill 99.99999% of bacteria and this outdoor gear could save your life!
Why THE ORIGINAL is great:
Do you love WILD CAMPING, in a tent or in a cave?
Check out this blog post…
Why THE MINI SQUEEZE is great:
Both of these comes with 1x 500ml water pouch, but I recommend the 1 Litre size pouch.
(For multiday adventures, I carry 3x 1L and 1x 500ml pouch. The latter is easier to drink from when I am lying in my tent).
The only downside is that these SAWYER filters are small, so it takes time and pressure to squeeze the water through the filter.
My top tips:
If you want to avoid slow-filtering your water, this is a much faster alternative. This outdoor gear comes in the form of a water bottle.
All you have to do is fill the bottle with water, replace the lid, press and drink.
Why the GRAYL water filter drinking bottle is great:
It only filters 250 Litres of water, but you can replace the filter cartridge here.
Having the right backpack for you is so important. It needs to be comfortable, practical and suitable for your chosen outdoor activity.
You need to consider various things. For example:
Mammut rate this backpack as the most suitable for Hiking and Mountain Training, followed by Via Ferrata.
To me this outdoor gear looks ideal for Dry Canyoning, where you don´t want to be carrying excessive weight, and with a design that is perfect for rope storage.
Why the MAMMUT 18L backpack is great:
The hydration pouch is not included but I would recommend getting:
This backpack comes in two sizes:
Why these backpacks are great:
My top tips:
This is the only brand of footwear that I wear in the mountains nowadays (apart from when I´m climbing, and need to wear specialist outdoor gear while on the wall).
I have numerous pairs or trail running trainers and I love them because they are suitable for many outdoor activities, not just trail running.
When I leave the house to go on an adventure, I often don´t know what the terrain will be like. Sometimes I´m not even sure what type of outdoor activity I am going to do!
For example:
You never know when you might need to run. You´ve got to be ready for that zombie apocalypse!
At least I know that I will be safe to move on any terrain: not only on flat trails, but ascending/descending steep mountain slopes too.
Check out these outdoor gear recommendartions: one pair of trainers for drier weather and the other pair perfect for the rain…
These are great for Spain or to wear in dry weather…
Why the SALOMON Speedcross 5 trainers are great:
These are much more suitable for or wetter weather in Spain or use in the UK…
Why SALOMON Speedcross 6 trainers are great:
If you know me (the Wild Child Costa Blanca) then you will know that my favourite things to wear in the mountains are some funky leggings.
You may have even seen on this blog the recognisable photos of my feet, taken with beautiful scenery in the background, or a view of the ground far below as I dangle my legs off a cliff!
These are commonly known as yoga pants, but they provide many benefits making them suitable for so a wide range of outdoor activities:
Check out these beautifully designed printed leggings…
Why the COSEY leggings are great:
Why the SMMASH leggings are great:
Why the JUNE ROSE leggings are great:
Why the WITKEY leggings are great:
My top tip:
If you also want to wear these leggings in winter (like I do): Buy a pair in thermal/insulated leggings, and wear the funky pair over the top.
If you are looking for a guidebook, then I can personally recommend the Costa Blanca Mountain Adventures (multi-activity outdoor adventure book).
It includes routes for the following activities:
Happy adventuring!
Wild Child Costa Blanca
