What's In My Pack?

So.. the big question is... What’s in My Pack?

Besides the super normal things, I have taken matters into my own hands and made sure that I have brought some things that are going to help me feel normal and human. While my husband and friends might view these things as vain, I have brought all of the necessities I need to make me still feel somewhat normal when I am sweaty, grimy, and utterly unwashed.

Makeup

Of course I have to bring makeup. But I downsized substantially and tried to just stick to the basics. While I’m a girl who loves to switch up eyeshadows, eyeliners, blushes, and lipsticks on a daily basis, I have settled for a “one look” for the entire journey with kohl pencils that can double as eye shadows and liners. I, of course, am keeping my face wrinkle free with my girl, Jessica’s, recommendation for Mary Kay makeup. It keeps my face flawlessly, and hopefully melt-free in the blistering, sweaty sun. I’ve opted for lip stain that will last all day and blotting wipes that will help me from breaking out. #glamgoals

Hair

Just as Olympians train for the Olympics, my hair has been training for this hike for 10 months. The first hair rule was to grow my glorious bangs out. My bangs and I have always been like an abusive relationship; they really don’t do much for me, but I always keep going back to them. I like to think that they cover my forehead wrinkles or even out my face, but I just love the look of thick, long bangs whether they do anything for me or not. It took me several months to grow them out and get to a point where I didn’t hate my giant forehead.

The second rule of business was to handle greasy hair days and try to extend days between washes as long as I could. This seemed like to most impossible task. I have always been the girl who washed her hair EVERY SINGLE DAY. I think this stemmed from my college days in Eugene, Oregon, when someone once told me that your hair will just naturally dread itself if you don’t wash it often. I took that for “if I don’t wash my hair every day, I will become one of those smelly, greasy hippies who have spiders living in their hair” and made a vow to wash my hair every day.

Little did I know that washing your hair actually rips the vitamins away from your hair and make your hair even more frizzy and damaged. Ugh, if someone who have knocked some sense into me before all of this.

So, to answer your question, is my hair greasy? Well, of course it is, but it just doesn’t look like it. I can go about 8-10 days now without a proper wash by using dry shampoo on Day 5 and 7. I have several brands I like, like Bastisse and Rock Your Hair! This trip, I have become obsessed with the brand, Living Proof. It has this amazing styling creme that you put on after you condition and it gives you super cute beach waves. #obsessed.

Hair Appliances

Yes, I might’ve purchased a traveling curling iron and flat iron that runs on (get this) butane. Press the on button, and it heats up within a minute or two. Instant hair beauty! Whoever designed this contraption is an absolute genius. I will use this for all of my traveling! No more cords! It took a few minutes for my husband to regain consciousness when I explained to him what I had brought, but damn, I am going to look good with a quick little straighten and curl each day.

Fun

I have also packed some mini games that are tiny and super easy to pack. Although my husband does not play board and card games as much as I do, we will both enjoy the distraction and the ability to have some competitive fun during this time. I also have packed a book and can’t wait to get some reading in while I am on the trails.

Food

While I totally understand that I am going to burning so many calories just from lifting my heavy makeup filled pack around me all day for about 15 miles a day, I wanted to still try and be healthy while on the trail. Since I am still nursing an injured knee, I wanted to have the opportunity to make sure that I could take my miracle knee repair vitamins that my mother gave me. My husband’s goal throughout this trip was to only have to cook once a day. This would cut down on a lot of things, in particular expensive MREs and jet fuel. So I thought the best thing would be to start my day off right with a Shakeology with my vitamin powders. A friend suggested using ziplocks and drinking straight from the ziplock instead of having to pack and wash a smoothie cup. #genius So now I can have my vitamins and a deliciously vitamin and protein packed smoothie to ensure that I will have the right amount of energy to walk and walk and walk each day.

For lunch, I’ll be doing protein bars

and trail mix. And then for dinner,

we’ll be sharing a Mountain Home

MRE. I know that I will be greatly

missing fresh produce. Summer is

always my favorite time of year for

fresh fruits and vegetables. I’ll have

to make up for it when I get back

home.

SO. There’s my pack. It’s ginormous

and heavy and beautiful. I can’t

wait to start this adventure. I just

hope that I know what I’m really in

for.