Just 2 Weeks to Go!

I’m alternating between over-the-top excitement and over-the-top fear. I have one more week left with my students. One more overnight shakedown with all of my gear. One more visit with my daughter and her family.  At this point, I’ve obsessed over my plans for the first weeks. I’m meeting my daughter and grandson for a picnic and resupply the first weekend of my hike. I’m staying with friends a week later.

Preparations

Back in December, I sent out a blast to all of my Facebook family and friends asking for support for my journey. And they responded! Several friends from grade school, high school, college, and adult life, as well as family members will be sending me love along the way in the form of letters and post cards of encouragement, as well as care packages! I have also been stock-piling foods and supplies for over six months. My daughter will be mailing these along the way, too.

To organize all of these packages, I created spreadsheets. One shows of where I plan to stop and who is planning to send me something so I know to hit the PO while I’m in town.  One has their mailing addresses so I can send them thank-yous. I also have spreadsheets for budgeting time and another for budgeting money. There might be one more spreadsheet, but I can’t remember what it is.

Packing List

My gear is not the lightest. Striking the balance between quality light gear and quality affordable gear is tricky. My budget isn’t endless, so some of my gear is on the heavy side. I hiked with all of the heavy items last year and I’m trying to find ways to reduce weight in other ways beyond buying expensive UL gear. I’ve also repurposed some old running gear whenever possible. I purchased all my own gear and I’m not sponsored by any company or individual.

• Pack
  • Deuter 45+10L backpack
  • REI Duck’s Back rain cover
• Marmot Tungsten 2p tent with groundcloth
• Sleep system
  • Sierra Madre vegan quilt
  • Thermarest Prolite Apex pad
  • Sea to Summit UL inflatable pillow
  • Sea to Summit bag liner
• Navigation
  • AWOL AT guide book (only the pages I need for each section)
  • compass
  • Far Out app on my phone
• Kitchen:
  • Ursack Minor Bear and Critter food bag
  • 50 ft paracord
  • Folding backpacking stove with piezo starter
  • Sea to Summit 1.2 L pot
  • Outdoors Inc. cup
  • Toaks titanium long-handled spoon
  • Talenti jar for cold soaking and morning oatmeal
  • UL kitchen cloth
  • Wind/waterproof matches
• Water
  • Smart Water bottles (2)
  • CNOC dirty water bag
  • Sawyer Squeeze water filter
• Health and Hygiene
  • First aid kit, including my prescription medication
  • Sharpie marker
  • Toothbrush, unpaste toothpaste tablets, floss
  • disposable wipes
  • TP
  • Six Moons Designs Wander Woman Gear Reusable Wipe
  • Body Glide
  • Bug Dope with DEET
  • KN95 face mask
  • Earth Breeze laundry detergent sheets
• Clothing
  • UA short-sleeve wicking tshirt
  • UA long-sleeve wicking tshirt
  • L.L. Bean hiking pants
  • Darned Tough hiking socks
  • Injinji sock liners
  • Exofficio underwear and bra
  • UA Capris
  • Lululemon leggings for sleepwear
  • lightweight wicking tshirt for sleepwear
  • Smartwool socks for sleeping
  • Buff
• Outerwear
  • REI XeroDry jacket
  • REI Co-op Magma 850 Down Hoodie 2.0
  • running hat
  • Crocs
  • Saucony trail runners (and whatever I buy along the way)
• Electronics
  • Anker PowerCore Essential 20K
  • Anker USB wall charger block
  • headlamp with batteries
  • Zoleo PLB
  • cell phone
• Luxury
  • Journal and pen
  • paperback book
  • a small knitting project

Phew! It looks like so much stuff when it’s all listed like that! I might post once more before I hit the trail. Otherwise, I’ll “see” you in a few weeks!