Kilimanjaro – Gear List

23Jun09

I’m finally packed!  After bombarding and bothering Mona, Matt & Erica (my traveling buddies), Tim (a certified travel expert), and the internet (yes, its possible to bother the internet, just don’t ask me how), I have finally finished packing for Africa.  Packing was a tough journey, but I feel comfortable with my gear, and I hope that I’m prepared for the trek ahead.  Since I’m going to be in multiple climates, my gear reflects both the tropical base and the arctic summit of Kilimanjaro.

Here’s what’s in my pack (a Kelty Coyote 4750, borrowed from Tim):

Winter:

• Winter Hat
• Balaclava
• Seriously sweet wicking long-johns – I’ve used these skiing a few times, and they rock.  I picked them up somewhere in Pennsylvania, and they are one of my best purchases
• Columbia Parka – Something I found on clearance at Amazon
• Gore-tex pants – Can never stay too dry.  picked up on sale from cabela
• Midweight Fleece – Awesome..picked up on sale at the North Face.  yes, the secret sale
• Boots – waterproof
• Base Layer undershirt- the partner to the long johns. again, they rock
• Gloves
• Socks – 2 pairs of heavy-weight, and 2 pairs of mid-weight.
• Toe warmers
• Finger warmers

Regular Clothes:

• Wicking shirts – leftovers from half-marathon training.  I hope they’ll help me stay relatively sweat free
• Columbia combination pants/shorts – great for trekking and hiking.  Unzip into shorts, and very light.
• 1 polo shirt – not polo brand, but something a bit nicer in case i need it
• 1 pair nice shorts – to match the polo.  i probably won’t wear them, but just in case
• Raincoat – Marmot preCip.  Light weight and very awesome.
• Boxers and socks – no comments needed
• Shower shoes
• sunglasses
• regular eyeglasses (yes, i’m 4 eyed)
• Contact lenses and solution

Electronics:

• Nikon D40 digital SRR, kit lens, 50mm lens, 2 batteries
• Canon Powershot point-and-shoot camera
• Travel Watch – cheapo timex
• Ipod – might be left behind, not sure yet

Other Gear:

• Sunscreen
• Chapstick
• 2 nalgene bottles
• iodine tablets
• first aid kit
• travel towel
• toilet paper
• security wallet
• Personal toiletries (razor, shaving cream, toothbrush, toothpaste, etc.)
• Deet bug spray
• Eddie Bauer bookbag, to use as a daypack
• Books
• Playing cards

As you can see, I’ve compressed the hell out of everything in either compression bags or ziplock bags.  Let me know if there’s anything that I’m forgetting, or something that I should get rid of.

Filed under: travel, Uncategorized   |  3 Comments
Tags: africa, canon, Columbia, kelty, marmot, nalgene, nikon, rei, tanzania

Irregulars – Roald Dahl’s time as a British Spy

19Jun09

I was hanging at the Chicago Public Library a few weeks ago, and this book caught my eye.  I’m a huge fan of “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory” and “James and the Giant Peach”, so I was intrigued by the idea of Dahl as a British spy.

Dahl entered WW2 as a member of the British Royal Air Force, but was grounded after an accident in his very first flight.  With able bodies in short supply, he was upset when he was assigned to a seemingly-boring desk job at the British embassy in Washington.  However, upon arriving in DC, he learned that his job would be much more interesting than originally bargained for.

Dahl became a member of the British Security Corporation, with orders to help influence US public opinion and policy towards the British.  At the time, pre-Pearl Harbor, the US public was very anti-involvement…while the British needed American support.  So Dahl and his pals spent lots of time drinking and becoming friends with influential newspaper and magazine editors.

So this book is interersting not because Dahl is a particularly interesting spy.  He’s spying assignments seemed faily mundane (and nothing like Agent Zigzag’s).  I found this book interesting because of the high-level access Dahl enjoyed in both Washington and New York.  He regularly cooresponded with Vice President Henry Wallace, played cards with Elenor Rosevelt, and even spent a weekend with the Rosevelt family (including FDR) at Hyde Park.  He spent lots of time with people like Wild Bill Donovan, who went on to found the OSS and the CIA.  Also, his flatmate for a time in DC was Sir Ian Fleming, the creater of James Bond.

This book read more like a People magazine write up (not that I’ve ever read People) than a spy thriller.  Its interesting to read about the personal lives of high government officials, but, I can’t recommend this book in good faith.  Its probably best to avoid it..

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Kilimanjaro update

18Jun09

I’ve been in the process of acquiring clothing, gear, and thicker nerves for my upcoming trip.  I’m a week away, and I think that I’m 99% ready to go.

I just finished seam-sealing my Columbia parka and my Eddie Bauer daypack/backpack.  I’m pretty sure that my Columbia coat is waterproof, but it never hurts to be sure that the seams are completely sealed.  Its going to be cold and wet up there, and I want to stay dry (and warm)!!

As i get closer to my trip, I’ll post up my packing lists and some pictures of my gear.

Filed under: travel   |  4 Comments
Tags: climbing, Columbia, kili

Why does ESPN hate SEC football?

11Jun09

So after getting a deliverable out to my team, I decided to check in for any sports updates on espn.  Of course there was nothing huge, its the middle of the day on a Thursday.  But, a closer look revealed something interesting.

As noted in the picture above, 2 articles in a row bad-mouthing SEC football.  The first story details how Alabama Crimson Tide players were receiving unauthorized textbooks for their friends, and this was a violation of NCAA student-athlete benefits.  So, as a result, Alabama is “vacating” 10 wins from 2005-2007, meaning that they can no longer count those wins among their totals.

The second article talks about how Florida Head Coach Urban Meyer thinks his players are “good guys”.  This is despite the fact that members of his team have been involved in 24 legal incidents since 2005.

After reading both articles, I’m forced to wonder why ESPN hates SEC football.

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