This blog has been inspired by The Holy Spirit and trial by fire packing;)
Yep, you have read it right. I am going to give you future racers a packing list. Reason being is I felt like I did a pretty darn good job packing for this crazy 11 month excursion around the world because I only ended up forgetting a couple of little things.
First off the most important thing will be the weight of your pack; I would go as light as possible. Because there will be times you will have to carry your pack long distances.
(My Recommendations)
-Bible/Journal and pens
-Malaria medication, i.e. Doxycycline
-Passport/money holder (Pacsafe has great products)
-50 L to 65 L pack, The Osprey Atmos is a good pack …..Make sure it has an internal frame. Don’t get anything bigger, because you’re just going to fill it with a bunch of extra crap you don’t need.
-Some kind of daypack
-Airporter or duffle bag. This is so your pack doesn’t get destroyed by the airline baggage handlers and protects it during travel days.
-A good 2 person tent, a lot of times on the race this will be your home. Recommend something that packs around 3 to 5 pounds.
-Tent foot print…(to protect the bottom of your tent.
-30 to 35 degree rated sleeping bag with a compression sack for easy packing.
-Good sleeping pad, I highly recommend the Exped Downmat UL long and wide version!!! Expensive but totally worth it. It’s going to be your bed for the year!!! (Very comfortable and durable).
-Compressible pillow
-Pack for a week’s worth of clothes, Do not pack a lot of clothes. Most likely you’re not going to wear half of them and you’ll end up throwing stuff out. Also, you will acquire clothes as you travel.
-Don’t pack socks, they take up room and you will not wear them. I haven’t worn any socks since I left in January; it’s too hot for them.
-For the fellas, get 4 to 5 pairs of Exofficio boxer briefs…..That will cover your underwear for the year. They are anti-microbial so they won’t smell. They wash super easy as well.
-A couple pairs of shoes, I recommend water proof keens and another comfortable shoe you would wear every day and some flip flops for when you shower.
-Swim wear
-A regular size towel
-A good fleece or hoody, i.e. something like a Northface
-A rain jacket
-Bring a laptop, don’t forget to bring it……you will regret it.
-External hard drive and flash drive, to share movies, music and books.
-Your iPhone or iPad for the times you come across WI-FI so you can Facetime or Skype with your friends and family. (It’s good for your morale:)
-Converter box and power strip
-Head phone splitter and portable speakers for team movie nights.
-Bring a camera, You’ll want pictures you can send to people and post on your blogs and facebook page.
-If you’re an avid reader, buy a nook or a kindle! A very good device to have so you don’t have to pack actual books.
-Nalgene or Water bottle
-A week’s worth of toiletries, you can restock as you need to. They have that stuff all over the world. i.e. toothbrush, toothpaste, shampoo, soap.
-Crystal light drink packets / Instant coffee packets
-A durable/waterproof watch
-Zip lock bag full of Tylenol and pepto tablets and a good sleep aid.
-Zip lock storage bags
-A mesh bag for your dirty laundry
-Multi-tool/knife
-small rope for your clothes line
-And if you lead worship and play the guitar you’ll want to bring that as well.
You will not need any more than this!!! If you don’t believe me, go ahead and pack a bunch of extra crap you don’t need and find out the hard way:) but really what It comes down to is It’s your race and it’s going to look different for everyone and what people bring. I’m just trying to save you the headache of too much stuff on the field.
I really hope this helps some of you narrow it down for what you’re going to take with you. Get ready for the most exciting and stretching God adventure of your life!!!
Also, if you end up forgetting things……It’s going to be ok. Trust God that He will provide for your every need.
Philippians 4:19
And my God will supply every need of yours according to His riches and glory in Christ Jesus.
