It’s time again. I feel like I’m always ready to go but never quite ready to leave. But, the next trip is brewing.

I have made good, steady recovery after surgery to remove a broken bone in my foot. While I won’t be back up to physical snuff for another 2 months I am recently cleared to walk and drive again, and plan to make good use of my returned mobility!

This Friday I will leave frigid upstate New York and fly to Vegas for a road trip to Death Valley and the Mojave with my cousin Ellen. From there I will return to San Francisco with her, see as many friends as time allows, and then hop north to Portland, Oregon. There I’ll visit Kristen (my Colorado hiking companion) and Max, who I spent countless hours with in the Mongolian wilderness. Then south to the Baja peninsula of Mexico for some rejuvenation with a dear old friend, and hopefully the opportunity to help build or re-build after the region was devastated by Hurricane Odile last year. Then finally on to Costa Rica to spend time with family and do work for the Clara Vista Foundation, of which I am the Secretary and a member of the Board.

Simple, right?

I expect to experience temperatures from the 30s to the 100s, rain, snow, sunburns, desert, cities, jungles, camping, couchsurfing, a poolside villa, and everything in between. And unlike my previous trips I actually want some outfits that I won’t be embarrassed to socialize in (read: no hiking boots in nice restaurants). So, what to pack?

First, the essentials. 1) Sleeping bag (this is my trusty Ultralamina 32 that I took around the world). 2) Bikini. 3) Good book. 4) Aeropress for great coffee on the go! 5) Snacks. 6) Scarf. 7) Water Bottle (I’m a fan of Liberty Bottleworks, Made in the USA and 100% Recyclable!) 8) Hiking Boots. 9) National Parks Pass. 10) Sunblock! (And I cheated, the hidden 11) phone/camera was used to take this picture.)

Next, the hard part. As of right now this is everything that I plan to put in my bag. I may swap a pair of pants for a skirt or capris at the last second or take out the sweater, but this is pretty much it for the next 5 weeks:

2 layering tank tops. 4 nicer tank tops. 2 work/exercise shirts. 3 long sleeve shirts. 3 pairs of pants (1 heavy, 2 lightweight). 2 pairs of shorts. 1 dress. 1 pair leggings. 1 sweater. 1 Patagonia shell. 1 packable puffy coat. 1 hat. 1 scarf. 3 pair summer socks. 3 pair winter socks. 1 bikini. 1 Packtowl. 2 belts. 3 pair earrings. 6 pairs quick-dry underwear. 3 bras. toiletries. first aid kit. headlamp. bandana. hiking boots. nicer short boots. Chaco sandals. 1 Tulip Madfeathers.

And I’ll also be carrying my 1,500 page Professional Engineering Reference Manual and a book of study questions, since I’m planning to fill any spare time with studying for my license exam in April. Optimistic I know.

Looking for packing tips? Layering is key. Nice tank tops can be worn by themselves, with a scarf, or with a sweater and a scarf for falling temps. I try to avoid cotton and synthetics that stink after an hours wear. Lightweight wool is the best – I can wear them for ten days without needing to wash them, and when I do they dry quickly. Icebreaker is my favorite brand. Especially their socks!

I could definitely pack less, and I may in the end. But knowing that I want to both look nice and get dirty, hike in snowy mountains and swim in the ocean, this seems like a reasonable balance to me. Except I just realized I forgot my sunglasses!