Getting my gear together

Tonight I spent a good two hours at REI trying to pick up various things I might need for the next two years in Kazakhstan. I had the suggested PC packing list in hand and everything. I eventually ended up talking myself out of everything I came to get.

First major purchase I rethought – hiking boots. The PC list said that I’d want good boots because there was a lot of good hiking there. OK, I’ll bite…at first. The more I thought about it, though, the more it seemed like a bonehead move. I’ve got some pretty good waterproof trail runners that would work for day hikes or even extended trips going light and fast. That started to turn the tide in my head. What sealed the no deal? Um, KAZAKHSTAN IS THE FRIGGIN’ STEPPE! Except for the area around Almaty, i.e. near Kyrgyzstan, the whole country is flat. Not much need for hard core hiking boots to walk on flat ground, right? Did I make the first blunder of my trip? Maybe, but I’m feeling pretty good about my choice.

The other major non-purchase? Heavy duty, waterproof winter gloves. I’ve got several pairs of ski gloves that should get me through. Will they be warm enough? Doubtful. My fingers get cold on the lift here when it’s barely below freezing. Something tells me, though, that the good people of Kazakhstan probably have the secret to surviving 40 below temps in glove form right there in their own country. I’m just saying, that’s all…

I did buy a duffel bag that I’ll use to pack my backpack. That way none of the straps are hanging out to get caught up in the inner workings of the luggage transfer process. Plus, I’ll have an extra empty bag when I get there

Got a few new pairs of Smartwool socks and another pair of Ex Officio undies. I’ve got the boxer briefs and I also plan to try the tighty whitey version, too. I’m trying to find the best synthetic underwear with funk repellent technology. The last thing I want to do in seb zero temps is start my layering with cotton, i.e. death cloth. That’s just dumb. Synthetic, wool or silk, kids – that’s how I plan to roll. Price is a factor, though. Dropping a C-note on four pairs of skivvies is a tough pill to swallow.

Just a few more purchases and I think I should be set. Now I just have to sell a bunch of things and do all I can to minimize the amount of stuff I’ll have to transport back to the Tri-Cities for storage.

Is someone getting link-happy with his blog already? Perhaps.