| Packing for the Avon 3-Day Walk |
Checklist - Required
- Sleeping bag and optional mattress pad
- Towels
- Flashlight and extra batteries, or headlamp
- Shoes - preferably two pairs that are worn-in
- Water bottle
- Sunscreen
- Avon Breast Cancer 3-Day T-shirt (to wear first day)
- Socks - preferably 2 pair for each day
- Rain poncho
- Photo identification
- Personal medications
Checklist - Suggested
- Waist pack
- Windproof jacket
- Shorts and long pants
- Shirts - preferably 1 for each walk day, 1 for camp
- Sweater
- Underwear
- Sleepwear
- Hat
- Sunglasses
- Pillow
- Earplugs
- Camera and film
- Watch
- Alarm clock
- Plastic bags
- Cell phone (do not use when walking)
- Toothbrush and toothpaste
- Nail clipper
- Shampoo
- Soap
- Razor
- Comb or brush
- Deodorant
- Hair ties
- Anti-chafing stick such as Bodyglide
- Petroleum jelly
- Lip balm (with sunscreen)
- Pain reliever
- Insect repellant
- Bandages, gauze, tape
- Feminine sanitary supplies
- Pens and notepaper
- Credit card
- Insurance card
- Money
- Small folding campstool
- Late night snacks or any specially preferred energy snacks
- Portable clothesline and clothespins to hang up your items to dry in the evening.
Checklist - What Not to Bring
- Backpacks to wear while walking are not suggested as they throw off your walking posture.
- Hairdryer or anything electrical
What is Supplied
- Blister Self-Help Supplies: At each Pit Stop and in camp there is a supply of bandages, tape, gauze, nail clippers, lubricants, disinfectant, etc. However, you will want your own small supply to treat blisters that pop up in between these stops.
- Avon Comfort Supplies: Bug repellant, sunscreen, soap, shampoo, moisturizer, hand cleanser are available at either Pit Stops or in camp. Bring your own small supply of what you require and use these as replacements.
- Food and Beverages: Bottled water and sports drink are immediately available at every 2 miles along the route at either a Grab and Go or a Pit Stop, as well as in camp. Food is provided at Pit Stops, the Lunch Stop, and in camp and includes bananas, oranges, bagged salty snacks, cookies and granola bars, sandwich and salad for lunch, hot breakfast and dinner, vegetarian option is prominently provided.
Camping Gear Tips
- If you don't have a sleeping bag and pad, you may rent one from a camping store such as REI.
- I highly recommend a self-inflating camping pad such as those made by Therma-Rest. These inflate with just a few breaths, and deflate to a very compact roll. They insulate you from the ground as well as provide cushioning. I wouldn't camp without one - and prefer mine to many hotel beds!
- Practice rolling up your sleeping bag and pad several times before the event.
- The tent will be dark inside - bring a flashlight with a cord or a headlamp that you can hang in the tent.
- The porta-johns are also dark inside, take your flashlight.
- Bring a portable clothesline and clothespins to hang up your towel and sweaty clothes to dry in the afternoon and evening. Bring them in overnight or they will be wet again from dew in the morning. Wet clothes may mildew when repacked, so attempt to dry them.
How to Pack
- Get 2-gallon ziplock bags and place each day's walking apparel in a separate bag and label it. This will save time in camp as well as organize your bag, keep things dry, and ensure nothing is left out. Place toiletries in another bag and camp clothes in another bag.
- Load your waistpack with the items you will carry on the actual walk and try this out on your training walks.
- A duffle bag is the best organizer - better still if you can manage to get your sleeping bag and mattress inside the bag without having to strap them on the outside. One that is waterproof or water resistant is highly suggested.
- Rule: No bungy cords. You can attach your sleeping bag and pad to your bag with luggage straps or string/rope, but not stretchy cords that may spring loose and injure the volunteers who load your luggage each day.
- Practice carrying your bag for a block or so. You will have to carry it to your tent from the luggage drop-off nearby, and back in the morning. If you are unable to do this, usually the other wonderful Crew and Walkers will do this for you if you politely ask for help. Some wagons are also available.
In My Waistpack
- rain poncho
- socks to change into at lunch stop
- petroleum jelly to apply to feet at lunch stop
- bandaids, compeed blister bandages, alcohol wipes and needle
- camera and extra film
- wallet with credit cards, cash, id, medical card and phone numbers
- waterbottle
- sunscreen and lip balm
- neckerchief and earband
- 3-Day route directions (get at Day One)
- The Pallotta TeamWorks waistpack as well as the one I brought has a strap on the outside you can use to attach your jacket, etc. when you warm up.
What I'm Wearing and Body Prep
- Avon 3-Day credentials around neck
- Sports bra
- Spandex/CoolMax shorts
- CoolMax t-shirt
- Avon 3-Day cotton t-shirt on top (for first part of Day One)
- CoolMax socks, feet prepared with lots of petroleum jelly
- Worn-in shoes (New Balance 829)
- About.com hat with bill
- Sunscreen factor 30 on every exposed body part - remember your ears!
- Lip balm with sunscreen on lips
- BodyGlide on areas prone to chafing
- If it were cooler, I would be wearing or carrying my windproof jacket, but the day promises unrelenting heat and it is already around 70F. If there is a sudden storm I have the rain poncho in my waistpack
- Waistpack
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Photos copyright (c) 2001, Wendy Bumgardner, licensed to About.com
