Q: How am I supposed to know what to
pack?
lisa: The Avon
or Komen office will send you detailed
packing instructions. Try to find a bag that holds everything, including
your sleeping bag. I used an army/navy surplus duffel bag that my kids
take to summer camp. It was great and I could put my sleeping bag inside
it too. Your bags are labeled with your walker number and tent number,
but one bag is better than two, in terms of finding your stuff when you
get to camp. Remember that you may want an air mattress, that
you'll have 2 pairs of tennis shoes plus one pair of sandals (for when
you are in camp), clothes, towels, bathroom stuff, and anything else you
can't live without.
Q: What about HOW to pack?
There are many lists of WHAT to pack (see
below), but when it comes to HOW to pack, here are a few additional
suggestions.
Many walkers like to use the zip-lock
organization system. Invest in some large (2 or 2.5 gallon) zip-lock
backs, and separate your clothing and personal items into different,
labeled bags. Pack clothing for each day in a separate bag, labeled “day
1,” “day 2” and so on. Pack camp clothes for the evening (such as
sweatpants) in another bag, shower/bath supplies in still another.
You’ll be wearing one pair of shoes and packing the other, so put that
extra pair of shoes in its own bag. Make sure to press all of the air out
of each bag before zipping it closed, to save room in your bag. It will
help you keep organized, and make it easier to find what you need, in your
tent, possibly even in the dark.
In past years, the towel service was well
worth the cost of $5/night. However, if you decide to bring your own
towels, remember that you’ll have to pack them up in the morning, while
they are probably still wet, so bring a plastic bag large enough for your
towel.
Small zip-locks come in handy for smaller
items - from flashlight batteries to pill bottles -- and especially for
carrying that extra pair of socks in your fanny pack during the day. At
lunch, when you change to your fresh pair of socks, just put the old ones
in the small zip lock and stow it in your pack again.
Also bring with you at least two
super-large trash bags. They can be used to line the sides of your tent at
night, since condensation will get things wet. Also, you can actually slip
your duffel bag inside a trash bag to keep everything dry.
A duffel bag or small suitcase that opens
to reveal most or all of the inside, is your best bet. Those top-loading
duffels are hard to maneuver in the tent, and may require you to remove
items to find what you need. Best to have something rather wide and flat,
where it’s all packed in one layer and you can see everything at a
glance. Many people like the duffel bags with wheels on one end –
definitely a plus, when your gear truck is not too close to your tent!
Keep an eye out for sales; in the past we found them on sale at Target or
similar stores, for as low as $20.
If you’re running out of space in your
bag, leave your pillow at home, and bring just a pillowcase – you can
easily stuff it with one or more zip-locks filled with clothing, sweats,
jackets, etc. and use that as a pillow.
Remember that EVERYTHING needs to fit in
your bag, including your sleeping bag if possible. I always found that it
worked best to put the sleeping bag in first, and pack everything else
around it. If you really can’t get your sleeping bag in there, have a
way to securely fasten it to your suitcase, but NOT using bungee cords.
Those cords can come unfastened, and if they happen to hit someone in the
process, it can be painful. Our crew deserves consideration here, since
they will be hauling your stuff on/off the trucks.
If you know who your tentmate is, plan in
advance to share the load – some things, you only need one per tent,
including an extra tarp, a flashlight that hangs from the cross-beam of
the tent “ceiling,” a tent marker, and so on.
Q: Any special packing
recommendations?
NEW FOR 2002: YOU NEED TO BRING A
WATER BOTTLE! In past years, bottled water was served at pit stops and
grab-n-go stations. This year, in an effort to reduce waste, walkers will
need to bring their own water bottle, which can be refilled at all stops.
NEW FOR 2002: TOWEL SERVICE HAS GONE
UP TO $5 Last year they started providing towels for $4/night. It's $5
this year, but still well worth it -- no hassle packing wet towels, and
more room in your gear bag! Sign up for towel service at Day Zero.
There are several comments and lists
below, so keep reading!
You really do NOT need to bring food and
drink, unless you are super-picky, or perhaps have specific needs (food
allergies, etc.). There is tons to eat and drink, and good variety.
If you don't like Gatorade, be sure to pack Cytomax or some electrolyte
replacement (Ultima, electrolyte tablets, whatever).
They have all sorts of over-the-counter meds there (anti-inflammatory,
antacids, etc.) -- so it's not really necessary to bring stuff unless you
have a particular brand you really want.
A water bottle is not strictly necessary, as they serve water in the
normal size bottles that are easy to carry. The exception might be if you
feel you need to pour the water into something larger so you can mix
things in.
Take a cell phone. You can't talk while walking, but it's great to have to
call your family at night, or to try to connect with them en route.
Make one card (biz card, probably), with ALL of your important
contact/medical info in one place. How to reach your family, any special
medical info, blood type, insurance info, etc. Unlikely, but suppose you
are knocked unconscious and they need info. They have it in the medical
records but it could take time to look things up, etc.
Bring something which will let you hang
your flashlight from the top of your tent (inside) -- very handy while
trying to get settled in, in the dark.
Invest in those small disposable "handwarmers" you can
find at sporting goods stores. Susie-Q always tells us to buy a few, and
put them in your sleeping bag when you go to dinner. That way, you'll have
a toasty warm bed when you return.
Pack a large (13 gallon) trash bag to keep in your fanny
pack (all folded up, of course). Then you have it to sit on, should you be
somewhere that is wet or dirty. You never know when you'll need to sit
down to eat, rest, fix a blister, change your socks, etc.
For some things, you really only need 1 per tent, so hook up with your
roomie and split the load. For instance: one person bring a tarp, and the
other bring the tent marker.
Some people last year recommended going without contact lenses for the 3
days, and sticking to glasses.
And finally, if you forget something, it's likely that someone else will
share (toothpaste, etc.).
List #1 (suggestions from a walker)
Shoes - 2 pair
shorts- 3 pair
long sleeve Coolmax - 3
Coolmax sox - 6 pair
Thorlo sox - 6 pair (I wear two pairs of sox and change mid-day)
3-Day t-shirt
t-shirts - 2
wool sox
panties - 4
Berkenstocks
sleeping bag
sleeping mat
flashlight
pillow
pillow case
towels - 2
washcloths - 2
toothpaste
toothbrush
shampoo
sun screen
nail clipper
finger nail file
deodorant
shaver
soap
plastic bags (all sizes)
neck cooler
insect repellent
camera
long johns
tent marker (sunflower fabric to tie on post)
sweats
flip flops (for shower)
foot massager (gifted to me last year by my tent mate_
Fanny pack list:
butt wipes
hand wipes
blister meds
sunglasses
eyeglasses
money
ID & insurance cards
one charge card
Body Glide
extra socks for mid-day
Aleve
Chapstick
camera
cell phone
hand sanitizer
shoe horn
watch
List #2 (suggestions from Faren, in
San Diego)
CLOTHING:
warm hat (for sleeping in)
mittens/gloves
waterproof jacket (with hood a plus)
fleece items (like sweatshirts or jackets)
thermal underwear
wool/warm socks
official 3-day shirt
sun and/or rain repellent hat
3 walking outfits- (whatever you prefer) consider coolmax, sun
protection, and your preference in undergarments
at least 1 after-shower and around camp outfit- think sweats, comfy,
layers don't forget socks and underwear
3-6 pairs of walking socks
bandannas or sweat bands
shoes: 2 for walking, 1 for camp and one for showers
CAMPING GEAR
sleeping bag
fleece sleeping bag liner
ground pad
pillow
folding camp stool
flash light/ headlamp/ battery operated tent lamp and extra batteries
anti-tent-loss system, what ever you need to find your way back in the
dark *wink*
space blanket
plastic drop cloth and/or tarp
clothes line and pins (for drying out damp clothing)
gallon size zip locks for packing daily outfits (clean and dirty)
[note: many walkers prefer the 2 or 2.5 gallon bags, which hold a lot
more]
plastic bags for protecting shoes from nighttime dampness
plastic trash bags to protect luggage from the same
WALKING GEAR/ACCESSORIES
sunscreen (at least 15)
fanny pack/ back pack
water bottle
medical card/ phone #'s
petroleum jelly
sunglasses
any special food/drink/suppliments you prefer
anti chafing product (body glide)
lip balm with SPF
PERSONAL NEEDS
alarm clock/watch
business or calling cards to hand out to your new friends
medications for aches and pains, or other prescription meds
insect repellent
glasses/contacts needs
nail file
ear plugs
face/eye cover sleeping mask
travel towel or $8 to rent a fresh one
hair-shammy towel (sucks water out fast to keep you from walking around
in the fog with wet hair)
hair ties
deodorant
small mirror
anti-blister aids
antacids
bandages
gauze and tape
sanitary protection
washcloth
toothpaste and brush
hair brush
lotion
nail clippers
shampoo/conditioner
soap
razor
facial/skin care needs
TRAVEL AND DAY ZERO NEEDS
Transportation information
travel/airplane/hotel information/confirmation/tickets
final pledges
tent mate *wink*
medical card
picture ID
cash/credit card
OTHER ACCESSORIES
camera/film/batteries
book or other reading material
notecards, pens, address and stamps (notes to sponsors)
notebook/journal
LUGGAGE
preferably large, duffle style with wheels. waterproof a bonus
