Packing for a two month expedition is no easy task.  The gear list provided by our guide company covers all required critical items for a successful climb, but there are a bunch of little things you still have to consider.

Some are creature comforts that allow you to keep yourself in a happy place while living in a tent for a couple months. Maybe its your favorite coffee or just a good book. I know this is going to make me sound like such a girl, but mine is a super-moisturizing face cream. My skin hates me when I am on a mountain so it’s the least I can do. Everything we are bringing is spread out all over the floor and on the pool table. The OCD in me has all my gear laid out in the same order as the gear list. The trick will be getting it all to fit into two large North Face duffels. This is where the last few years of learning to discriminate between what is necessary and what is just plain excess comes into play.

We are still training hard heading into our last weekend of carrying heavy 50+lb packs.  I feel ready so hopefully all the blood, sweat and tears will pay off.  I am finally beginning to get excited about our expedition.  We have been so busy trying to button up our preparations for this climb, getting things situated at work and continuing to train that I haven’t had time to contemplate the enormity of what we are doing.  It’s time to get my game face on.