What a Girl Needs… It’s Packing Time!!!

*Updated 5/18/15. With only 3 days left until training camp (May 21-31), I have been running around like a chicken with my head cut off trying to pack for training camp/the race, pack my whole house to move 3.5 hours away in 2 days, and go to my last day at work the same morning that I leave for camp! May has truly been a whirlwind, but I wouldn’t trade it for the world!

       * Original. I think it’s about time I get started with packing my bags to see how all this is going to pan out! Several friends have asked what all I will need and how in the world can I possibly take EVERYTHING for 11 months in the field. It’s almost unbelievable to think of all the things I need, and the fact that I’ll have to carry it all on my back!!! Welp, with the help of World Race alumni, my mobilizer, and squad mates, I’ve created a master list of it all… maybe. Granted, some things like more hygiene products and weather/culturally appropriate clothing may be purchased along the way. But, for the most part, I have to take all the essentials with me because we can’t have things shipped to us except in cases of emergency.

        I have set up a gift registry at REI, an amazing outdoor store that has more stuff than you could possibly imagine! The 1st time I went I spent about 3 hours in there and came out with… nothing! LOL I was so overwhelmed! If you’d like to see what’s on that list, simply go to www.rei.com and click on the Gift Registry tab at the top of the page. Put in my first and last name and/or #GR111878970. As time goes by, I will probably continue to add/subtract from the registry based on what I learn. *Even though, I’m registered at REI, some things may be purchased elsewhere at a less expensive rate.

       I’m also registered at Target for the simpler, day-to-day items. Target – Shonda Foublasse (listed as a College Registry) https://www-secure.target.com/gift-registry/registry/kF69A1R8e7nxVFQ2U_MFgg

        Thankfully, my parents and a couple of amazing friends have already helped me to begin collecting the things I’ll need. I would love it if you’d take a look or two or three at my list to see if there’s something you’d be willing to donate. Maybe you and a group of friends or your family would like to make it a group project?!!

       Thank you for the continued prayers, encouraging words, and financial gifts! Y’all are rock stars!

 

Equipment

• Backpack – DONE – Gregory Deva 70
• Daypack – DONE – Eddie Bauer 30L
• 2-Person Tent – DONE – REI Quarter Dome 2 (CC)
  • Footprint – DONE (CC)
  • Rainfly – DONE (CC)
• Airporter – Sea to Summit Seam Sealed Pack Converter (can be found at Rock Creek/online)
• Raincover
  • Daypack – DONE – Osprey
  • Backpack – DONE – Sea to Summit
• Headlamp – DONE – Black Diamond 130 lumens (DC)
  • extra batteries

Bedding

• Pillow – DONE – Thermarest- medium
  • Need pillow case
• Sleeping bag rated at at least 35* – DONE – Big Agnes Roxy Ann 15 (Ma)
• Sleeping bag liner or sheet – DONE – Magellan mummy
  • Maybe a space blanket (emergency blanket) – DONE (Daddy)
    
• Sleeping pad – DONE – Insulated Air Core Pro (Uncle Charlie)
  • Sleeping pad repair kit – DONE

Organization

• Packing cubes
  • LewisNClark – 2 – DONE
• Stuff sacks – 2 – DONE
  • Sea to Summit waterproof XS and S for sleeping bag and tent, respectively
• Compression sacks – 2 – DONE

Clothing

• Shirts- 9 t-shirts, 3 tank tops – DONE
• Skirts/dresses- 2 – DONE
• Long shorts- 4 shorts (1-sleeping) – DONE
• Pants- 3 capris – DONE
• Jeans- 1-2 – NOPE, too hot where I’m going
• Lightweight sweatshirt/fleece – DONE – dark grey
• Rain jacket – DONE – Eddie Bauer (black) (me)
• Thin cardigan – 1 – DONE – aqua blue
• Leggings- 1 gray – DONE – (maybe get 1 black)
• Bras
  • Sports – 4
  • Regular – 2
• Undies – at least 10 days’ worth – DONE
• Socks – 5 pairs, 2 should be warm
• Shoes
  • Trail running – DONE – Merrells
  • Durable sandals (wide width sz 8) – DONE – Tevas
  • Flip flops- shower shoes
• Dirty laundry bag – DONE – original sleeping bag bag
• Bathing suit- tankini or one piece – DONE
  
• Drylite Towels – 2 – DONE – Youphoria Sport (CC)
• Sarong – 1

Electronics

• Laptop – DONE – Asus
• Hardcase cover for laptop
• 3-way headphone splitter
• Headphones- at least 4 pairs
  • 2 pairs – DONE – Yurbuds
• External hard drive w/ a case – DONE – Toshiba 500GB 
• Ereader – Nook – DONE
  • need $ cards for books
• Ipodfor listening to music – DONE
  • Have phone unlocked so I can buy local sim cards to call/text home
• Adapters- Argus travel adapter
• Speakers – tweakers or ihome
  • Jam beats Bluetooth speakers
• Power strip – w/ at least 3 outlets w/ surge protector
• USB drive – 2
• Camera

Toiletries

• Hanging bathroom bag – Eagle Creek
• Unbreakable mirror – DONE – Coleman Acrylic Mirror (DC)
• Travel-size containers for shampoo, etc. – DONE (DC)
• 1 nice razor and extra blades
  • Maybe Gilette???
• Feminine products – for several months
• Hair products
  • Maybe I’ll cut it off again…
• Baby wipes/Wet Ones – 2 small packs – DONE (CC)
• Baby powder to prevent sweat rashes – DONE – 2 small bottles (DC)
• Sunblock – DONE
• Hand sanitizer – 2 small bottles for daypack – DONE (DC)
• Deodorant – DONE – Dove twin pack (DC)
• Body spray
• Soap – DONE
• Toothbrush – 4 – DONE (DC)
• Toothpaste – Arm & Hammer – DONE (DC)
• Toothbrush holders – 4 – DONE – Steripods
• Qtips – DONE – 500 pack (DC)
• Comb/brush – DONE (DC)
• Lip balm – Burt’s Bees mango (DONE-2-DC), Bath & Body Works Bigelow Mint/Lemon Pomegranate
• 1 roll of toilet paper – DONE – 2

Medication

• Small 1^st aid kit – DONE
  
• Malaria prevention prescription – DONE – Doxycycline
• Tums
• Fever reducer – DONE – Advil (DC)
• Anti-itch cream – DONE – Cortizone 10plus (DC)
• Bug repellent – Deet
• Cold & flu meds – DONE (CC)
• Eye drops- the kind that imitate natural tears – DONE (CC)
• Pain killers – DONE – Advil (DC)
• Allergy meds – DONE (CC)
• Benadryl – DONE (DC)
• Laxatives – DONE (CC)
• Sleep aids – for long bus rides – Melatonin
• Lice shampoo
• Emergen-C – DONE – Super Orange 1000mg (DC)
• Tea tree oil
• Grape fruit seed extract
• Water sterilizing drops/tablets
• Yeast infection meds
• Anti-nausea – dissolvable kind – DONE (CC)
• Anti-fungal cream – for athlete’s foot – DONE – Lotrimin Ultra (DC)

Miscellaneous

• Document copies
  • Passport
  • 6 extra passport photos
  • Med. Insurance
  • Yellow fever inoculation proof – DONE
  • License
  • Debit cards – DONE
    • Schwab card & another Visa banking card
      • Begin app for Schwab early – DONE
  • Pics of family/friends
  • Carabineers – DONE – 4 small
  • Travel locks & key rings
    • Combination lock is better than key lock
  • Deck of cards – DONE
  • Lined notepads – DONE
  • Pens, colored pencils, tape, small scissors, pencil sharpener – DONE
  • Journal – maybe liteweight w/ recycled paper – DONE
  • Small bible – DONE
  • Collapsible bowl, spork, and knife – DONE
  • Pocket knife w/ can opener – DONE (CC)
    
  • Cash – ($200+) hidden in luggage in case of emergencies
  • Water bottle
    • Nalgene – 2 – DONE (DC)
      • use 1 to store electronics when not in use
    • Splashguards – 2 – DONE
  • Stationary
  • Ear plugs – 4 pair – DONE – Jelli Snug Plugs (DC)
  • Eye mask – DONE
  • Ziplock bags – plenty of all shapes/sizes
  • Small twist ties/rubber bands
  • Small calculator – key-chained one to hang on daypack
  • Watch (sport style)
  • Clothes line
  • Head bands
  • Duct tape/Gorilla tape- 1 roll
  • Travel alarm clock – DONE
  • Sewing kit- small
  • Jewelry
  • Sunglasses – DONE – prescription
  • Mosquito net – 2
  • Hair ties
  • Bobby pins
  • Belt
  • Whistle – DONE

Goodies

• Small tool kit
• Pocket shower – Sea to Summit shower bag
• 1 paperback book to share – DONE
• Solar powered charger
• External hard drive – terabyte size