Love It or Leave It
Well, we’re not quite sure if we figured it out, but here’s what we’ve got:
Solving the Climate Crisis
What does New Zealand, Australia, Southeast Asia, India, the Mediterranean, and Northern Europe all have in common? Not their climates.
To solve this problem, we have set up a very particular solution - with the help of our loved ones back home (thanks moms!). Aside from what we brought on flight NZ 5 (pictured below), we additionally packed three more boxes of clothes/gear to be shipped to locations along our path. First, a box of tropical wear will be shipped to us for muggy Southeast Asia. Second, a box of dresses and sandals will be shipped to us for the sunny Mediterranean. Lastly, a box of sweaters and socks will be shipped to us for wintry northern Europe. With each box, we will swap out what will no longer be needed for the next leg of the trip — i.e. that Patagonia nano puff will not be needed in Southeast Asia.
But until those swaps happen, enjoy a peak into our 70L packs:
Kim’s magenta Gregory Amber 70L (left) & MJ’s Egyptian blue Gregory Deva 70L (right).
The Overflow Part
Kim:
Lo & Sons camera bag
Lewis N Clark day pack - compacts down into teeny pouch
Generic black purse
Nat Geo baseball cap
MJ:
Osprey Talon 33L day pack
Generic grey purse
New York Yankees baseball cap - to rep the home state
The Gear Part
Kim:
First Aid Kit - ace bandages, neosporin, band-aids, aquaphor, various meds, dramamine so as MJ does not puke on boats, etc.
Outdoor Master ground tarp
Screen cleaner rag
Camping utensils
Luggage scale - we’re looking at you, budget flights
Black Diamond headlamp
Build & Fitness pack towel
Collapsable coffee mug
Collapsable water bottle
Sea to Summit UltraLight sleeping mat
Bandanas x2
Sleeping bag in a Sea to Summit stuff sac
Cocoon Mummy Liner (silk)
Eno double hammock and straps
MAPS!
MJ:
MSR Whisperlite International with cooking pot - thank you #SteveRahr for teaching me how to use it
Carribeaners x2
Hydroflasks x2 - one for hot, one for cold
Good ole Nalgene
Sea to Summit collapsable food container
SOL survival kit - thanks mom
Black Diamond headlamp
Tesalate beach towel
Cocoon Mummy Liner (silk)
MPOWERD Inflatable Solar Lantern x2 - hooray for solar energy
Sleeping bag and pillowcase
Sea to Summit UltraLight sleeping mat with air stream dry sack pump (not pictured) - so much easier than exhausting my asthmatic lungs before bed
Bandanas x3
MSR Hubba Hubba 2-person tent - IT’S ONLY 3 LBS 13 OZ!!!!!
The Please-Don't-Steal-These Part
Kim:
BUBM electronics organizer - assorted cords and accessories
Nintendo DS - Pokemon is a religion for me (see toiletries below)
Bose bluetooth noise-cancelling headphones - f*ck you airplane turbines
GoPro Hero 4 with underwater housing unit and float accessory
iPhone camera attachment
Canon EOS Rebel T2i
Apple earbuds x2
MPOW rugged portable speaker
Divoom portable speaker - yes, we need two
Skyroam - useful portable wifi and service generator (look it up if you’re interested)
RAV Power iSmart battery pack
Matador camera case
Assorted chargers and car charger
Universal outlet converter
Flexible tripod
Apple MacBook Pro
iPhone 6S
MJ:
Bose noise-cancelling headphones - thank you Mama Walker
POWERADD solar battery pack
MatadorUp camera case
Altura padded camera lens case
Canon EFS 24mm "pancake" lens
Canon EOS 80D - represented by the empty space
Commander hand strap for camera
TIMEX Expedition analog watch
NZ outlet converter
Apple earbuds
Extra camera battery and charger
A/V camera battery car charger - we are road tripping after all
FitBit Flex 2 - ask me about it, I will rave for hours
Port converter - honestly Apple, you’re getting on my nerves
ZOOP dive computer
GoPro Hero 4 with underwater housing unit
Phone charger - sticker on it to distinguish my own from the 50 other ones in a hostel
Micro SD card reader
Extra SD card
SD card reader
iPhone 6S
Seagate external hard drive - I’m taking A LOT of photos
Apple MacBook 12” in gold - I know, it’s super cute :)
The Bulky Part
Fun fact: Kim & MJ are the same size shoe… HOW CONVENIENT.
Kim:
Mime et Moi black leather sandals with two pairs of heel attachments - because I couldn’t bring just one pair of heels..
Columbia lightweight rain jacket
Timberland boots
Pink Tevas - we don’t have to talk about how cute they are, but we can
Croc sandals (they’re cool, okay)
Patagonia fleece - SUCH a classic
MJ:
Cheap black heels
Chacos - I’ll update you on the tan lines
Timberland boots - did you know we’re from New York?
Patagonia Torrentshell Rain Jacket
Patagonia Nano Puff Hoody - YES I LOVE PATAGONIA.
The Hard Part
Socks, underwear, and bras not pictured. Obviously we brought them. And yes, they’re sexy. Sometimes they match. We’re on the road, but we’re still single.
Kim:
Sun hat
Black v-neck wool sweater
Patagonia hat - it’s MJ’s. She loves Patagonia. Ask her about it.
Gloves
Long-sleeve base layers x2
Short sleeve purple dress
Romper
T-shirts x6
Tank tops x3
Encircled multi-way infinity scarf
Black leggings x2
Blue jeans
Bikinis x2 - BEACH PICS
Rash guard - for diving
Shorts x5
MJ:
Black Patagonia mid-layer
Black cardigan
I <3 Pizza hat - shoutout to Picasso in Stowe, VT
Gloves
Grey infinity scarf - RIP American Apparel
Belts x3
Rash guard
Long-sleeve base layers x2 - one of them is Patagonia…
Tank tops x3
Lace bodysuit
T-shits x10
Dresses x3
Romper
Bikinis x2
Patagonia shorts x4 - I honestly didn’t mean to do that
Jean shorts x2
Blue jeans
Joggers
The Fun Part
Kim:
Toiletries - just what you’d expect
Pokemon face masks - I told you it was a religion
Inflatable neck pillow and eye mask
Mini plastic bags - I have a sand collection, it’s really cool
Mystical Fire color packs x2 - keepin’ it colorful
Waterproof phone bag thing
iPhone powered fan - #selfie game strong
Mini spray bottle with peppermint oil - spiders hate it, and that’s what matters here.
Twist ties and locks
Sunnies
Sunblock and tattoo guard
Journal - thanks Sarah
Harry Potter playing cards - I’m a Slytherin. My patronus is a hummingbird, since you asked
Kindle
Flask - thanks Dave
Pencils n pens
Business cards - gotta work bitch
Snazzy hair clips x2
Mase & a taser - fuck with me.
MJ:
Sunglasses with croakies
Gold switchblade with roses on it - definition of a badass babe
Inflatable neck pillow that I forgot to use on the 12hr flight
Extra Ziploc bags
Journal
Doorstop
Purell
Waterproof phone bag thing
Leatherman Juice CS4 - literally the best thing I’ve ever owned
Aquatabs
DIY travel candle and matches
Pen
Sudoku book - I’m not a grandma, I just like to stay sharp
Polaroids from home <3
Kindle
Makeup bag with 50 shades of lipstick
Toiletries - just what you’d expect
Mase & a taser - fuck with me.
Oh, and paracord. The blue thing running down the middle.
The Thoughts Part
We’re guessing here. This is not a science. We had limited space, and this is how we filled it. Yeah, it’s pretty heavy - around 42.5 lbs each to be exact. But right now, we can’t imagine getting rid of any of it. Maybe we’ll change our minds after carrying them up a few mountains. We’ll keep you posted.
* * *
“What is the weirdest thing you brought with you?”
Kim: Pokemon face masks and Mystical Fire color packs.
MJ: BANAGRAMS.
Fun fact: between the two backpacks, we brought a whopping 17 Patagonia items. SPONSOR US PLEASE. #girlswhoexplore