Packing Guide, World Race Extreme

The Big Three

Get these right, everything else is secondary. These are the items that will make or break your 11 months.

1. The Pack

→50–65L internal-frame backpacking packReal, padded hip belt that fits your torso (get fitted at REI). Bigger than the standard WR carry-on because you're carrying a sleep system and cold-weather gear. Osprey (Aura/Atmos, Aether/Ariel), Deuter, Gregory.
→Packable 18–20L daypackBecomes your trek summit pack, daily ministry bag, and flight personal item.
→Rain covers for both packsNon-negotiable on this route.
→Reality checkA 50–65L pack will be checked on the budget flights (Bogotá, Quito, La Paz, Buenos Aires, Santiago→Kraków, Chișinău→Bayonne). Keep your passport, one set of clothes, and sleep liner in your daypack in case the big pack gets delayed.

2. The Boots

→Real waterproof mid-height hiking bootsThe single most important item you'll bring. Salomon, Merrell, Lowa, Scarpa, La Sportiva.
→Break them in for weeks before launchDay hikes, stairs, errands. New boots on day one of Fitz Roy or the Camino = ruined feet and a ruined month.
→Why they matterFitz Roy's final kilometer is loose scree at a brutal grade; the Camino is 100+ miles; the Alps are day hikes. Your boots carry you through all of it.

3. The Sleep System

→Sleeping bag rated ~20°F / -7°CPacks small. Down is lightest and warmest for the weight; synthetic is cheaper and works when wet. The Andes, Patagonia, and Poland get genuinely cold, don't under-rate this.
→Compression sackTo shrink it.
→Inflatable sleeping padR-value ~3+ for cold ground. Therm-a-Rest, Sea to Summit, Nemo.
→Sleeping bag linerAdds warmth, keeps your bag clean, and is the polite (often expected) layer in albergues and hostel bunks.
→Personal tent requiredYou will need a personal tent for this route. Plan on adding ~3–4 lbs to your pack weight.

Clothing, The Layering System

You cannot pack a 'hot wardrobe' and a 'cold wardrobe.' You'd never carry it. Build one layering system that covers the Amazon to the Alps. Base → mid → insulation → shell. Stack them in the cold, peel them off in the heat. Merino wool or synthetic only, almost no cotton. Cotton stays wet, takes forever to dry, and is cold and miserable when damp.

Base layers (merino or synthetic)

→2 base-layer tops (1 short-sleeve, 1 long-sleeve)
→1 base-layer bottom (leggings), for cold nights, the Andes, and trek mornings

Mid + outer layers

→1 fleece or grid-fleece mid layerPatagonia R1, REI.
→1 packable insulated puffy (down or synthetic)Patagonia Nano Puff, Mountain Hardwear. Your warmth in Patagonia, the high Andes, and Poland.
→1 waterproof/breathable shell jacketA true shell, not a flimsy rain jacket, Patagonia Torrentshell, Outdoor Research, Marmot. Patagonia's wind demands this.
→1 pair packable rain pantsCamino, Patagonia, Alps.

Everyday + ministry

→3–4 quick-dry tops (merino/synthetic) for daily wear + ministry
→2 pairs quick-dry hiking pants (1 convertible zip-off pair = pants + shorts in one, great value)
→2 pairs shorts (athletic/quick-dry, within dress code)
→1 'destroy' set of work clothes, old pants + a couple shirts you don't mind ruining on concrete-mixing, trench-digging, and labor ministry
→Sleepwear (modest; can double as a base layer)
→Swimwear (per dress code)
→Women: 2–3 modest skirts/dresses (at least 1 ankle-length)
→Men: 1 simple 'church'/respectful outfit (lightweight)

Warm extremities (small, light, huge payoff)

→Beanie / warm hat
→Lightweight gloves
→Buff or neck gaiter (sun, wind, dust, warmth, endlessly useful)

Sun (high-altitude UV is intense)

→Brimmed sun hat
→Sunglasses with real UV protection (a retainer strap helps on treks)

Socks & underwear (this is where the Camino is won or lost)

→4 pairs merino hiking socks (blister prevention) + 2 everyday/liner pairs + 1 warm sleep sock. No cotton socks, wet cotton = blisters.
→4–5 pairs quick-dry underwear (ExOfficio); quick-dry sports bras

Everything dries fast. You'll hand-wash in sinks and buckets and wear it again tomorrow. Merino base layers are worth the money: warm, cool, odor-resistant, and they dry overnight on a clothesline.

Footwear (3 pairs, heavy, but each earns its place)

→Hiking bootsThe Big Three item above.
→Lightweight trail runners or sneakersRest days, ministry, town.
→Sandals (Chacos, Tevas)Double as shower shoes and warm-weather/water shoes.

Trek Gear (Fitz Roy · Camino · Alps)

→Trekking poles (collapsible)Saves your knees on Fitz Roy's scree descent, carries you across the Camino, steadies you in the Alps. Worth it.
→Foot & blister kitLeukotape or moleskin, blister bandages, foot balm, nail clippers, small scissors. The Camino lives and dies on foot care.
→Microfiber/quick-dry camp towelLightweight and packable.
→Headlamp + spare batteriesCamping, pre-dawn trek starts, albergue early mornings.
→Water capacity for ~2L on trek daysYour Nalgene plus a collapsible soft flask.
→Water treatmentA squeeze filter (Sawyer, Katadyn BeFree) or purification tablets for camping and remote Andes/Amazon water.
→Dry bags / stuff sacksKeep your sleep system, electronics, and one dry outfit safe from Patagonia/Camino rain.
→Small first-aid + altitude kitIbuprofen, electrolyte tabs, anti-diarrheal, any altitude meds your travel clinic prescribes (e.g., acetazolamide for the high Andes in Peru and Ecuador), plus the foot kit above.

Bucket-Shower, Hand-Wash & Hygiene Kit

You'll often shower from a bucket and wash clothes by hand outdoors. This little kit makes that livable.

→Quick-dry camp towel (above)
→Concentrated biodegradable soap (Dr. Bronner's)Body, laundry, and dishes in one bottle.
→Universal flat sink stopper + braided bungee clothesline + clip clothespinsYour portable laundry system.
→Small scrub cloth or travel laundry bag
→Reusable feminine products (menstrual cup, period underwear, reusable pads)Strongly recommended; restocking is hard in the remote Andes, Patagonia, and rural Moldova stretches.
→Toiletry starters + plan to restock in citiesBring enough to bridge the remote stretches; major cities have options but brands are limited.
→High-SPF sunscreen (lots, altitude)Plus SPF lip balm, strong insect repellent (DEET/picaridin for the Amazon), after-bite, hand sanitizer, baby wipes (for bucket-shower days).

Tech, Money & Documents

→Phone + universal travel adapter + compact multi-port USB chargerYou'll hit South American and European plug types.
→Power bankLong travel days, camping, treks with no outlets.
→Laptop only if your track requires itIt's real weight and theft risk; bring it only if you truly need it.
→KindleThe one luxury worth its weight over 11 months of downtime.
→PassportValid 6+ months past your return, with plenty of blank pages (11 countries = lots of stamps).
→Yellow fever card (ICVP)Carry it with your passport; you'll need it leaving for / moving through the South American leg.
→Photocopies of passport, IDs, and cardsStored separately; 2–4 extra passport photos.
→Debit/credit card with international capabilityCharles Schwab reimburses ATM fees; a credit card for emergencies; a small cash backup.

What NOT to Bring

→Cotton anything you'd rely on (slow to dry, cold when wet), especially cotton socks and hoodies
→Brand-new, un-broken-in boots
→A fourth pair of shoes, a hair dryer, or a full toiletry haul (restock as you go)
→Heavy books (Kindle instead)
→Valuables and jewelry you'd be heartbroken to lose
→'Just in case' items, on Extreme, just in case is just weight

Dress Guidelines

These still apply, on the field, on treks, and in camp. Dress and appearance carry weight around the world. When you minister, you represent Christ, your local ministry partner, and Adventures in Missions, and in the refugee-ministry months (Poland, Moldova) modest, respectful, warm clothing matters. If you're questioning it, don't bring it.

→No see-through clothing; stomach must be covered
→Shorts must be at least fingertip-length; shirts can't cover shorts ('lampshading')
→No visible bra straps; no spaghetti straps, strapless, or low-hanging tank tops
→Skirts and dresses hit the top of the knee
→Leggings/biker shorts only under dress-code-appropriate clothing, never alone
→No jeans with excessive holes
→Women: full one-piece or tankini; Men: swim trunks (no Speedos)

Weight & Packing Strategy

→Target pack weightYour loaded Extreme pack will likely land around 25–35 lbs, heavier than a standard WR pack because of the sleep system and cold gear, but every item should earn its place.
→Wear your heaviest items on travel daysBoots, puffy, and shell go on your body, not in the pack, to save weight and space on budget-airline flights.
→OrganizationPacking cubes + compression/stuff sacks keep it organized and small.
→Keep your daypack as a true carry-onPassport, documents, electronics, sleep liner, one dry outfit, and any medication, so a delayed checked bag never strands you.

The test for every item: 'Will I use this enough to justify carrying it up a mountain?' If you hesitate, leave it.

Welcome to Extreme

Happy packing. Pack what works for you within these guidelines, and remember the test for every item: will you use it enough to justify carrying it up a mountain?

The Extreme Packing Guide