Packing for the Kalahari

I’ve packed up and moved many times during the last few years. But I’ve never tried to pack for a full year, and never for traveling solo abroad. I’ll be carrying/flying/traveling with whatever I decide is important enough to bring with me. It’s Thursday night, and I leave Sunday morning. Some friends will be disappointed that I didn’t wait until the morning of departure to pack, a classic habit.

This what I decided to bring:

North Face Base Camp 70 L Duffel and 45L Black Diamond Pack

• Soloman hiking boots
• Birkenstock sandals
• 3 pairs of pants: Kuhl lightweight hiking, Marmot hiking, Carhartt work
• 2 pairs of leggings (1 cotton and 1 merino)
• 2 pair running shorts and 2 pairs hiking shorts
• 3 t-shirts and 5 tanks
• 4 sports bras, 3 pair of Darn Tough socks, underwear
• 2 dresses and a sarong
• 2 casual shirts
• North face fleece, Melly sweater, and Melly sweater dress
• Sleeping cloths (boxers and shirt)
• Nike long sleeve tech shirt and 2 casual long sleeves
• Flannel shirt
• Jean shirt with “Stay Salty” embroided on it (by me)
• Sun shirt
• 0 degree Marmot sleeping bag
• Desert sunhat and Baseball hat
• 35 mm camera with accessories, batteries
• 2 Drawing pads and pencils/pens
• Photos of places/friends to hang in my room
• 2 books
• 2 moleskin notebooks
• Laptop and 50 GB Hard drive
• Gopro
• Tech towel
• 2 swimsuits
• Buff
• Headlamp and batteries
• Water bottle
• Sunglasses
• Warm hat and gloves
• Rain jacket
• Puff jacket and puff vest
• Washbag: chapstick, toothbrush, razor, deoderant, hairbands
• Climbing shoes, harness, ATC, PAS, Pirahna (just in case)
• Patagonia 16L daypack
• Multivitamins and ibuprofen
• Drybag with 10 essentials
• Knife
• Phone for music (no service), wallet
• Visa for 18 months

Song of the day: Lo/Hi Black Keys