Packing for the Bike, the Hike, the South, and the Great White North
It Ain't Easy
The t-shirts are 88% merino wool, 12% nylon. The undies are 93% nylon, 7% spandex (ladies, don’t look!). Socks are 35% merino wool, 36% polyester, 27% nylon, 2% spandex. Pants are 75% nylon, 16% spandex, 16% polyester. The warm layers (both first and second layers, beanie included) are exclusively merino wool. The puffy jacket is 100% nylon, filled with 90% down, 10% waterfowl.
As a life-long hiker, I have a strong preference for wool and nylon. They stay dry and—most importantly—don’t get smelly. Polyester will stay dry as well, but its scent will make the trip lonelier than it needs to be. Cotton is great for the office, but in cold, rainy weather, it will kill you.
The coffee set up revolves around a v60. There is a small grinder, the v60, a “strainer” that helps with the pour, a cheap scale, a titanium kettle, and a double-wall titanium cup. I spent my Saturday afternoon dialing in the coffee that I am taking. (I have two bags. The second bag will stay sealed until the trip.)
The toiletries are nothing special, but they have been repackaged in minimalist ways. All a boy needs is body wash, shaving cream, sunscreen, and toothpaste. Don’t tell my employer!
I am taking canned fish and fruit bars for my meals. I intend to eat out whenever possible, but I will enjoy having breakfast or dinner at camp from time to time. The picture also includes the most delicious thing in the world: wafers. However, life is a cruel mistress. The wafers didn’t fit! I had to take them out! If I die eaten by a bear, this will be my one regret.
I haven’t posted pictures of my tent, sleeping bag, sleeping pad, and a handful of other items. But, everything I am taking—literally everything—including the panniers themselves, weighs 80 lbs. I could have packed 10 lbs lighter, but 80 is still about 200 lbs lighter than the average hot blonde I pick up at the bar.
I am ready for adventure!