The Things I Carry

I’ve been gradually crossing off items from my seemingly endless list for about a month now. The time has finally and already come. Tomorrow I set off to New Zealand for a two month trek! I somehow managed to shove 43 pounds worth of essentials in my pack… and usually I use the term ‘essentials’ with a wide margin, but not this time folks. For the next two months this is what I will be living with:

·         Tent

·         Sleeping bag

·         Thermarest Sleeping pad

·         Camera and extra lens

·         Four memory cards and three batteries (still don’t feel like that’s enough)

·         Jet boil and accessories

·         Leatherman

·         A flashlight/taser combo (thanks Bernie)

·         Headlamp

·         Journal (of course)

·         Survival guide book (just in case)

·         New Zealand guide book

·         First aid kit (emphasis on the blister care kit)

·         A few toiletries (ok, maybe more than a ‘few’)

·         Hiking pants

·         Spandex pants

·         Running shorts

·         Tank top

·         Two T-shirts

·         Long underwear shirt

·         Down jacket

·         Rain jacket

·         An ‘infinity skirt’ (doubles as scarf, etc etc)

·         Two pairs of exefficio undies (I really hope they work as well as they say)

·         Sports bra

·         A buff

·         Chacos

·         Hiking boots

·         Food and water (heavy.)

·         Water filter

·         Quick dry towel

·         Three pairs of wool socks

·         Rope and bungees

·         Most importantly…wallet and passport.

There you have it. Roughly 45 things, 45 pounds. Now to lay awake all night and try to remember what I am forgetting…….....

Anyways. Maybe I am brave…maybe I am just crazy. The reality of it all hasn’t quite hit me yet, and I am sure it won’t until I am flying over NZ. Good thing I have 24 hours of travel to let it all sink in.

I will be staying with a couchsurfing couple in Christchurch for a couple days, and from there it’s wide open spaces. Getting lost, getting found... meeting strangers who become family…. Never knowing what tomorrow will bring….a few reasons why I do this.

Not sure when I will have internet to write again, but I assure you the next entry will be one of the best. I cannot wait to see what’s in store for me!