41 Hours

When I return to Jacksonville from Puerto Rico, 3:00PM on Sunday, I have 41 hours to finish packing my life away and organize my gear for my new life. 41 hours until my next flight leaves. Everything I still own fits inside a 6×12 cargo trailer, stored at my sister’s house. Everything else fits in my backpack.

The panicked flop-sweat is beginning to set in. There’s so much to do and so little time to get it all done! Post Office. REI. Grocery store. Learn to use my new camera (I should’ve shipped it to Puerto Rico!). Make sure my other three mail drops are ready to go so my support team only has to mail them out. But I know I can do this.

It’s amazing how little you truly need to be content.

Here’s my gear list:

Pack: Osprey Aether 60

Tent: Big Agnes Copper Spur HV UL1

Kelty 25* down sleeping bag

Thermarest Neoair Xlite sleeping pad

Katadyn Hiker water filter

Osprey 2.5L water bladder

16-oz water bottle

MSR Pocket Rocket stove

Titanium cook set and utensils

Leki titanium hiking poles

Extra shorts, t-shirt, underwear, socks

Fleece pullover and pants

Marmot Precip jacket and pants

Camera & tiny tripod

Electronics kit (battery, camera battery, charging cables, etc.)

Kindle paperwhite

Journal

First aid kit

Repair kit

Toiletries

Petzl Zipka

Big Agnes Tent light – I really hope these are all they’re cracked up to be. I did not buy the mtnGLO version of my tent, but if I like these, come replacement time I will definitely consider that option.

This is the first time I’ve ever taken electronics on the trail. I’ve always said they have no place in the wild. But now, I need to manage my affairs remotely, so I suppose they are essential. Maybe I’ll make peace with technology out there.

My next check in will be from Atlanta! It’s all finally coming together!