A lot of my family, friends, and supporters have been asking how I could possibly pack for an entire year. Below is the answer, and some highlights of the tips & tricks I discovered along the way!
*disclaimer: I haven’t done the race yet. There will probably be stuff on this list that I wish I wouldn’t have brought.
*disclaimer #2: my clothes aren’t in this picture!
MY BAGS:
SLEEPING SYSTEM:
- Sleeping bag: Marmot Trestles Elite 30
- I paid $20ish more for the “elite” because it’s lighter weight & compresses smaller. Lightweight & space saving items are a crucial factor to consider when prepping for the race!
- Sleeping pad: REI Air Rail 1.5
- get a pad that’s self-inflating, you won’t want to blow up an entire sleeping pad with just your lungs
- I got the long & wide pad. I’m tall, and it’s more comfy.
- Bag liner: Sea to Summit Bag Liner with Insect Shield
- I was recommended this liner by my cousin, a WR alumna.
- Disclaimer: i don’t know if the bug repellent in this actually works, but for me, its worth a shot!
- Pillow: my normal bed pillow from home!
- One year is too long to not have a pillow you’re not comfortable with.
- Tent: REI Camp Dome 2
MY MUST-HAVES:
- My real pillow
- a year is too long to skimp on a pillow!
- OB tampons
- Many people opt for menstrual cups, but that’s not what I already use, so that’s not what I’m bringing. OB tampons are normal tampons without the applicator. They are very small, making it a little easier to pack a year’s supply.
- Rope & zip ties
- Useful for tying your bag down to a bus, clothesline, make shift jump rope for kid’s ministry, tying a tarp in the air for a rain shelter, fixing your book bag, attaching stuff to the outside of your pack, the list is endless. I once had my bag fly off of a bus in the middle of Guatemala City. I trusted the driver to tie it down, and I still don’t have my stuff to this day. Don’t be that person. Bring rope, and use it.
- Power-strip
- 7 teammates, 1 outlet. Bring a power-strip so everyone can use the outlet at once!
- Work gloves
- Some months will require building projects & physical labor for ministry. Inexpensive to buy, and easy to drop if I find they’re not needed.
- Solar powered tent lamp
- a LIFESAVER for months where you will be in your tent! It’s inflatable, so it doesn’t take up space in my pack, and lightweight as it doesn’t use batteries.
- Sleeping pad repair kit
- this doubles in function for both your sleeping pad & tent.
- Bose over the ear headphones
- a little boosie? Yes. Necessary? Also yes. I’m an introvert, airplanes are loud, I like music, and these will help with all of those things. They even come with a sturdy packing case!
- Christmas bag
- Includes brand new undies, and a “open on Christmas Day” letter from my friends. I figured it would be a fun gift for myself!
OTHER STUFF:
- Go pro camera, floating handle, and carrying case
- Instax polaroid camera & film cartridges
- Hard drive (pro tip: keep your normal hard drive at home & back up your computer the day you leave. that way, if something happens to your computer & hard drive, you don’t lose everything.)
- Charging bank
- Waterproof bag to store my electronics. You can’t control the rain.
- Sea to Summit Airporter: it slips over my big pack for protection
- journal & small Bible
- Bugspray. WITH deet.
- Laundry bag
- Packing cubes (containing all of my clothing)
- Shower shoes. Don’t use your chacos, those things smell. Just don’t do it.
- Lightweight coffee pourover
- Coffee mug
- Microfiber towel
- Bathroom bag (pro tip: buy a bathroom bag that hangs so you don’t have to sit it on dirty surfaces!)
OVERALL ADVICE: If you don’t use it or wear it at home, you’re not going to use it on the race.
You shouldn’t be preparing for every little possible thing ever. The point of this year is to trust the Lord, and you should be doing that with packing too.
APPS TO DOWNLOAD:
A lot of apps can’t be set-up once you’re abroad. These are some of the apps that I’ve gotten to prepare for the trip!
1. Grab (taxi service commonly used in Asia)
2. Uber
3. Air Bnb
4. maps.me (downloadable maps so you can navigate in real-time with no cell service)
5. Spotify (easily downloadable music & podcasts! family plans are also available, featuring individual accounts and a multi-payer model so you can split the cost amongst squadmates)
6. GoPro Quik (automatically edits videos for you! great for storytelling!)
7. Google Drive, Google docs, Google sheets, etc.
8. Charles Schwab banking app (reimburses all international fees, saving you tons of cash!)
9. Venmo (allows you to pay squadmates for taxi rides, fun weekend trips, & snacks instantly. you must set this up in the states so do so before you leave!)
10. Whatsapp (literally the entire world EXCEPT the U.S. uses this as their main form of communication. download it! you must set this up in the states with you current phone number!)
11. Google photos (automatically syncs on wifi so you don’t lose photos if your phone is lost or stolen!)
12. Bible app
13. NOAA weather (live weather & radar for anywhere in the world!)
14. Hostelworld (for booking cheap rooms at the last minute!)
