As Training Camp approaches rapidly, I stand in Faith and confidece that God will be providing the funds to meet the deadline to be able to go. But my AIM deadline is not the only financial needs I have for this week! The following is a list of the gear that I MUST have in order to go to training camp. It is not a complete list of the gear I will need for the race, but the basics needed for training camp that I still lack. These items cannot be purchased using my AIM money and must be funded separately.
If you would like to sponsor me for one of these items, please send me an email at KatLeeWandering at gmail.com with what item you would like to buy, and if you would rather purchase the item yourself and have it shipped to me, or send me the money through paypal and I will buy them all together.
Tent: I have been doing SO much research on tents, trying to find a tent that is both “affordable” (aka not $600), but also sturdy and lightweight enough for dragging around and living in for a year. This link is to the best deal I’ve found. This tent is well under the ticket price for other tents of this packed size and weight, but also very durable. http://bit.ly/19lmtsc
Sleeping Bag: Again, I have been researching a lot about sleeping bags. We are advised by past racers against down bags because of moisture and mildew problems. Synthetic fill bags, however can be very hard to compress enough to carry in our packs. To make matters more frustrating, I am such an active sleeper who needs as much leg wiggle room as possible. The thought of sleeping confined in a mummy bag Is basicly no sleep! Knowing I will need every minute of sleep I can get on the field, I set out to find the most compact, non-mummy, synthetic filled sleeping bag available within my temp range and affordable. This is what I’ve found! http://m.basspro.com/Ascend-55-Rectangular-Sleeping-Bag/product/11090905012530/248280
Sleeping Pad: As you have figured out, I have done my research on just about every ounce of my gear. My sleeping pad ironically has given me the most sleepless nights! I tend to have significant back pain on a regular basis, and my sleeping conditions (as to be expected) can greatly affect this! I also am a side sleeper a good portion of the time, which can be tricky on a thin mat designed for the spread weight of a back sleeper, putting insane pressure on the hips and shoulders. So, after a lot of research, I have decided on this pad. It pains me that it is so expensive, but few sleeping pads are “cheap”, and the ones that are are not designed to be used for a year straight! They will not withstand the abuse of moving every month. This pad comes highly rated by many other former and current racers and being sturdy as well as comfortable. Well, as comfortable as you can get sleeping on an air mattress for a year. ?? http://m.rei.com/mt/www.rei.com/product/828412/big-agnes-insulated-q-core-pad
Mess Kit: Racers recommend these products instead of a traditional all-in-one mess kit because of their compactability and adjustable nature (flat it’s a plate, expanded it’s a bowl!) I plan on taking some dollar store silverware instead a plastic set.
http://m.rei.com/mt/www.rei.com/product/851914/sea-to-summit-xl-bowl
http://m.rei.com/mt/www.rei.com/product/787278/sea-to-summit-x-mug
Headlamp: Don’t laugh! These guys are lifesavers when trying to set up your tent in the dark, or pick your way to the outhouse at 2am through all the dogs and pigs. Not to mention its fantastic use for nighttime hands free reading! This one is durable with several brightness settings, while also not being insanely priced ($400 for a headlamp?! No thanks!!). http://m.rei.com/mt/www.rei.com/product/839967/black-diamond-cosmo-headlamp
Camp Towel: Despite their notoriously small nature (a xxl is the size of a full size bath towel) these puppies are super handy for saving space when trying to stuff your entire life (and home) for a year into a backpack! Definitely worth their price. http://m.rei.com/mt/www.rei.com/product/832950/rei-multitowel-xx-large-towel-59-x-36
Thank you to all of my supporters, both prayer and financial, who have made this calling possible!
