Hey everyone!!
Sorry, I feel like I have been of no use on blogs, other than to post stuff about packing and /or gear. But that’s something I know nothing about, so anytime I find new, useful tips, I get excited and want to share the knowledge!
So that being said, here is some info from Kelly Ramsey (January team):
Tips from the guys at Whole Earth Provision…
-Take the paper core out of the toilet paper role, squish into into a ziplock freezer bag (no air)
-Permethran spray for your clothes
-Deet product for your body
-Tents – take the metal poles out on the tent bag, pack them in your bag or clip to outside of bag, then you can fold the tent in half and put it in your bag. (I have the REI half dome, i folded it and put it inside at the top of my pack – really helped to distribute the weight for me)
-Get an superabsorbent towel (REI) and CUT IT IN HALF, use the first 1/2 for the first few months, save the second half for later (they will get nasty and need to be thrown away)
-Take extra caribeaner clips.
-Clip your chacos to the ouside of your pack (you can get to them fast, and they will be dirty most of the time)
-Take a bunch of extra ziplock FREEZER bags with you.
TEAM SUPPLIES (make a list of team supplies, take 1 item per team, share the load)
Superglue for cuts and repairs
Duct tape (1-2)
SOS pads x 4 (cut into 4 each) for cleaning cookware (reuse each 1-2 times)
Cookware/plate etc (if you are cooking on 1 stove, you will be heating things in shifts, thus everyone does not need plates etc, double up and take one set per pair (2 people)
Use a frisbee as a plate, have fun with it after meals.
Get in groups of 2-3 and take ONE shampoo, sunscreen, bug spray, lotion, etc per pair (share the load)
-Pack and unpack your bag 15 times before leaving the house. Do it a few times in the dark.
-Put your tent up and re-pack it several times.
-If you are taking a nalgene bottle (wrap the outside with a few layers of duct tape… rather than take a roll of tape. when you need it just peel it off your bottle.) Although we are buying bottled water, you can pour 2 + bottles in your nalgene at a time and not have to carry as many plastic bottles with you during the day etc.
-LAPTOPS, cover your lap top with stickers, make it look loss attractive, at a glance make it look more like a book or something. definately cover up the Dell or Apple logos and the blinking light indicating power source.
-When you are in a town buy a pack of cookies… use it for trade along the way (I laughed and he said he was not kidding 🙂 )
LADIES:
SWIMsuit, take the simple Speedo brand type, make sure it does not have padding (it will get moldy and take longer to dry, so the guy said)
