What do I pack for the Race?
You’re going on the Race! Sweet
I wish I’d taken these blogs seriously and actually believed what alumni racers were suggesting. Please note this is my opinion and every route is different, this is just what I would recommend.
Gear
Backpack: I had a Kelty 4750 Coyote and loved it. Although I’d totally go with a rolling suitcase (you’re laughing now, by the end of the Race you’ll be saying the same thing)
Get a good day pack, but the larger it is the more junk you tend to carry, so be practical.
Airporter! Get one!! It will save your backpack’s life.
Sleeping Pad: I went with the Big Agnes. Great, but kinda felt like an overpaid pool raft. If I did it all over again, I’d HIGHLY recommend the Therm-a-Rest ProLite. (make sure to get a repair kit just in case).
Sleeping Bag: one that compresses small & is comfortable. do not stress about getting sub zero or anything like that. I had a polyester slumberjack one and loved it. one of my teammate’s sent his home month 1 and was fine the entire race without one. a lot of people used a sleeping bag liner (
http://www.rei.com/product/695429/sea-to-summit-silk-travel-sleeping-bag-liner-traveler)
way more than their actual sleeping bag. i bought a top bed sheet with me, used it 1 month.
Pillow: Compressible Therm-a-Rest Pillow is cash money.
Tent: oh tents. Used mine 2 weeks the entire year. Would have found a teammate at training camp and went halvies on one (beware teams will probably change at some point and then you’ll have to figure something out). I got the Kelty Grand Mesa and loved it.
Towl: I would go with the Sea to Summit Tek Towl. I got the MSR Quick Dry which worked well, but completely felt like a paper towel.
you do NOT need a water purifier. another item people sent home.
Stuff Sacks: I bought a bunch and packed everything in them, which made my life super easy and would highly recommend getting them.
Electronics
LABEL EVERYTHING especially ipod chords!
Had an Acer Netbook, loved it. Served me well. Netbooks (unless you have a Mac and want to do serious video editing on the Race) are the way to go. Bring a computer case.
Camera: had a Cannon SX 210. The best point and shoot out there with an incredible zoom which came in handy on our African Safari 🙂 And has video camera. Get a good case for whatever camera you decide to bring.
Speakers. Like these:
one of the best things you’ll bring. HIGHLY recommend. in fact, just go buy them (iHome).
ipod: your key to alone time on the race.
Adapters: a universal adapter works fine. You don’t need a voltage converter. threw mine out half way because it was too heavy and never needed it. A lot of people used the Targus World Power Travel Adapter and loved it.
Clothing
Girls: dry fit capris. Go buy 2 pairs now, thank me later. I ended the race with none of the clothes I started with, they get gross fast. Don’t go crazy with the REI Quick Dry clothing. You’ll want your normal clothes. Pack a nice outfit for days off. Everyone differs with how many shirts/bottoms they’d bring. A week’s worth of clothes and you’ll be fine. Girl’s make sure you have at least 1 skirt that goes to your knees; HIGHLY recommend a pair of leggings. Know that in countries with clothing rules, you’ll be able to buy the local clothing (which fits the rules) and you’ll probably get treated with more respect for adapting their culture (happened to us when we bought fabric wraps that went to our ankles in Tanzania).
Sweatshirt, rain jacket, sweat pants are a must.
Bring a package of underwear with you and do not open it until month 7. It’ll be better than Christmas for you; you’ll be this excited, promise.
Shoes
Chacos. Loved mine. Not for everyone though (1 teammate sent her’s home). Wear them at home before launch, if you wear them bring ’em. If not, save the weight.
Pair of Flip Flops: lived in ’em. Buy a legit sturdy pair that won’t give out.
Sneakers: got the most use on my runs.
Dry Shampoo. Save it for Africa, Nepal/India. Totally not necessary, but sure made things nicer.
Headlamp, with change of batteries. Get a good one, this baby will save your life multiple times.
Power surge WITH ipod charger on the side & you’ll be the cool kid in the neighborhood.
Mosquito net: our contacts provided them in every country it was needed.
Bug Spray, bring a bottle with you.
Sharpies
Multipurpose tool
I bought colored paper & markers month 3 and got a TON of use out of them. Highly recommend.
Passport photos: use this website. Looks sketch but it’s not. Cheap, fast and reliable 🙂
http://www.onlinepassportphoto.com/ you can get 6 for like $7 and pick them up in a hr at your local Walgreen’s.
A pair of work gloves wouldn’t be a bad idea, but not totally necessary.
Clothes line and clothes pins. Worth their weight in gold.
One girl bought a hair straightener with her and all I’m gonna say is, we loved her for it.
watch with a light & alarm.
external hard drive is a good idea, but not necessary. would definitely bring a thumb drive, especially if you are team leader, fiance, or logistics.
toiletries: bring one of each and know that you can get everything overseas. The only thing I’d recommend is for girls to stock up on tampons (ESPECIALLY before going into Africa, Nepal or India).
ear plugs and an eye mask!! definite! can not tell you how grateful you will be for having those 2 items with you.
Books: Redeeming Love was a popular one on R Squad. Bring 1 or 2 and trade with people, and bring some lighthearted ones (Confessions of a Shopaholic, read during India and loved it). One of my favorite reads this year was The Happy Intercessor by Benni Johnson (cheesy title, but wicked good). Crazy
Love by Francis Chan is legit.
Monopoly Deal game cards. R Squad favorite.
Medicine:
Cipro & Amoxyclin. Make sure you have a few rounds of this before leaving home.
I took Doxy for malaria.
Would highly recommend vitamins (took Centrum One a Day).
Bring the basic tylenol, advil type of stuff, and know that you can get some really great drugs at pharmacies overseas for like 10 cents.
While overseas buy a round of flagyl and take it after India (kills whatever cipro doesn’t).
Could Medicine. Figured I’d get all these funky weird diseases (didn’t) and bought meds for that, and none for colds (which I got twice). Pack some NyQuil.
Most helpful thing I could tell you:
When I sent out support letters, I included a page that said, “if you’d rather support me through a gift, I am in need of the following” and listed gear needed. I did not pay for a single piece of gear for my trip. My friend registered at REI and did a gear shower before going.
Sharpie your name on everything!!
If you have any questions, feel free to email me at [email protected] 🙂 I’d love to answer them!
