When faced with living out of a backpack for a year in various climates and locations, one might think about what to take with them. Since many of my supporters might be curious, I’ve decide to share the list I’ve come up with for what I plan to take with me. If you would like to see this in condensed form or would like to support me by purchasing gear check out my amazon link .
Here we go:
Main Gear:
Internal Frame Hiking Backpack (Pack): Gregory Deva 70L – I purchased this because I liked how it fit me and I can lay it down and open it like a suitcase on the front.
Airporter: To protect my pack in transport. Many past racers recommend the sea to summit one for durability
Daypack: A school size backpack to carry every day to ministry sites.
Tent: Mountainsmith Morrison 2
– I purchased this after doing TONS of research on tent cost and weight. This was a good balance between the two with good reviews
Tent Footprint: Kinda like a tarp to go under my tent and protect it from getting holes
Clothes – still figuring our what I want to take, general guidelines are covered shoulders and knee length bottoms
Bedding:
Sleeping bag: Marmot Yurt
– I purchased this square down bag after trying a mummy bag (not good for side sleepers). It’s wonderful.
Sleeping bag liner – When it’s too hot for the sleeping bag or too cold for just the
sleeping bag, I might also just use a sheet for this.
Sleeping Pad: Mattress for the year – REI Kingdom
– My parents purchased this for my trip!
Sleeping Pad Repair Kit – I found these Gear Aid repair patches that would work if I got a hole in my sleeping pad
Pillow– Thermarest has this compressible one that packs down small
Documents:
Passport – For obvious reasons
Extra Passport photos – To obtain visas for some countries
Extra forms of ID – I’ll be taking my school ID and Driver’s License
Yellow Fever Card – Shows you’ve received the Yellow Fever and other vaccines (I have!) Some countries will quarantine you without this.
Debit Cards – To have access to cash
Bible – My mom is making me a special cover for mine that closes
Pictures of Family
Technology:
Laptop & Charger – to blog, edit videos, skype with my family when possible
iPhone & Charger – to use as camera / alarm
iPhone Case – To help protect my phone from the elements all year
Polaroid Printer & Film – to print and give away pictures to the people I meet
External Hard Drive & Case – to back up pictures/videos for the whole year
USB drive – to transfer information
Adapters – to use outlets
Surge protector – Other countries electrical systems aren’t super reliable
Headphones – I hear these go missing a lot on the race
Headphone splitter – More people can listen!
Speaker – I’ve got a waterproof one already!
Extra Batteries
Cord organizer – To keep all my cables organized
Tolietries:
Basic Shower stuff – I might be taking bucket showers!
Travel Size Bottles – Silicone ones allow you to squeeze out every last drop
Loofa – to scrub the African dirt off
Toothpaste/toothbrush
Wisps – for long travel days without access to a sink
Contacts & Glasses – with cases and contact solution
Retainer & Retainer Case – #thebraceslife
Medicine – I could probably use some help figuring out what I should take
Deodorant
Chapstick – Burts Bees to the rescue!
Nail polish & remover – to paint little girls’ nails
Brush
Hair ties, bobby pins, and clips
Nail clippers
Make-up
(these last two may seem frivolous, but they say sometime you want to look/feel normal or dress up for special occasions)
Miscellaneous:
Packing Cubes – To keep clothes and other stuff organized
Head lamp – for when it’s dark / the power is out
Water bottle – there’s one that keeps drinks cold/hot for a long time
Watch
Craft kit – tape, colored pencils, gluestick, colored paper, washi tape, thread for bracelets, scissors
– this is for playing with little kids, leave notes for teammates, and for the travel journal I plan to keep
Carabineers (locking kind) – various uses
Leatherman – again various uses
Collapsible bowl and silverware – sometimes you need your own dishes
Ear plugs & Eye mask – past racers say you’ll use them even if you don’t at home
Bug repellent
Sunscreen
Paracord & Duct tape – for when you have to be resourceful
Sewing Kit
Mosquito Net
Dryer sheets
Work/gardening gloves
Belt
Crystal light packets – basically to flavor water when you’re tired of drinking water
