Gear Partners
I’m extremely lucky to be partnered with some of my favorite brands. They provided me with the gear I needed for my expedition around the world. The quality, simplicity and versatility of their products allows me to focus on what’s important— seeking out women breaking barriers in the outdoors, and breaking some barriers myself.
Salomon
Salomon makes the best trekking and trail running shoes and their hats and clothing are also top notch. I particularly love their hiking boots because they are light weight like a trail runner but have the grip and support that you need for longer adventures. I greatly appreciate their support and love being part of the team!
Granite Gear
Granite gear makes some of the best backpacking packs and gear around, and I chose the Blaze 60 Women’s Fit for my Watson research trip. I love this pack because it’s incredibly comfortable to carry whether it’s crammed with everything I need for a year of travel or packed with ice axes and crampons for a mountaineering expedition. The lid can be converted into a chest pack or a fanny pack and there’s a hidden vertical zipper that lets you access the gear buried at the bottom of the pack (an essential feature for me!) This pack is the perfect balance between travel versatility and superior performance for long treks in the Himalayas and Andes. Granite Gear also hooked me up with some of their zippered stuff sacks, which are fabulous for staying organized while sleeping in a different tea house every night (which I’m terrible at, but I have high aspirations!)
Wool &
I wanted the perfect travel dress, and I found it at Wool &. Their dresses are all made from merino wool blends, which makes them odor resistant and temperature regulating. I wore my brooklyn wrap dress for five days in a row while wandering around the mountains in Manali, India, and I couldn’t even notice an odor. Which is shocking, because the rest of me absolutely reeked like spoiled dal.
I’ve tested these dresses playing at the beach in California, running for cover during Indian monsoons and sitting around the campfire on cold nights camping in Montana— they can handle it all! Many dresses are also reversible, for ultimate travel versatility, and some also include POCKETS! Wool & also has a strong focus on minimalism and environmental sustainability, which I love. These are truly dresses that you can live in.
Osprey
Osprey packs are known for their comfortable fit and I was psyched that Osprey was willing to donate a Mutant 22 alpine pack for my light-weight ascents and to use as a day pack for shorter hikes. The Mutant is stream-lined, durable, and pretty badass looking (an important feature). Osprey also donated a toiletry kit that hangs from a hook so I can finally stop dropping my shampoo on the floor, some gear organization pouches, and a Hydraulics Reservoir. My Dirt Bag Travel Consultant Dani Reyes-Acosta says water bladders are critical when trekking at altitude cause it’s hard to stay hydrated and you don’t want to stop all the time. I’m excited to test this new hydration system out!
Darn Tough Vermont
Darn Tough socks are the best socks ever. No question. They’re also made in Vermont, where I went to college, which just makes them even more rad. But seriously, if you want hiking socks that will keep your feet comfy and dry when trekking in monsoon conditions in the Indian Himalayas, prevent blisters on 22-mile days in the alpine, and keep your toes cozy in snowstorms above 14,000 ft then Darn Tough is what you need. The patterns are also darn cute and I’m especially obsessed with this pair with little mountains on them. Oh, and did I mention that they are guaranteed for life? So if your sock wears out or gets a hole, you can go to any Darn Tough store and get a brand new pair for exactly zero dollars. It’s magic.
Kula Cloth
Kula Founder Anastasia Allison actually hooked me up with several Kulas well before this trip, but I still consider Kula a vital part of my donated gear kit. Kula Clothes are technical pee clothes that you can use instead of packing in toilet paper and packing out the clumpy wet mess. Kulas are made from a special antimicrobial, silver infused fabric that that dries quickly when hanging on your pack. They’re also absolutely beautiful and I’m proud to flaunt my Kula everywhere I go.
I knew Kulas were great for backpacking, but it turns out they’re also essential for public toilets in Asia that often lack toilet paper. I feel confident peeing wherever I need to with Kula on my pack.
Partners
Emily Hopcian
Emily is a Bariloche, Argentina-based writer and story strategist who focuses on focus on outdoor adventure and social & environmental impact storytelling. She’s been a huge mentor to me as I planned this Watson year, and we are meeting up in Nepal and Argentina to collaborate on projects.
Dani Reyes-Acosta
Dani is the adventurer at Not Lost, Just Discovering and brand strategist and creator behind Nomad Creativa. Dani is an expert traveler, van-dweller and outdoor adventure athlete who spent a year exploring South America and knows all the strategies for international solo travel. She’s also my personal Dirt Bag Travel Consultant, and she’s damn good at that job. Hire her if you need any empathy-based creative strategy advising for your brand or business.