Hey' y'all! Probably one of the biggest headaches when yer goin' travelin' is what to pack! Posse Week is no different, especially since it's unlike anything you've ever done before! That said, a few of us have been on a couple outlaw roundups before, so here's some tips for you. If you want some more tips or have any questions about the best vacation you'll ever have, drop me an email at aimler@mail.com
I learned the hard way and overpacked too many times. Preston's list is pretty close to complete. Also, they will take the gear you want to use for the week to your team's home base-camp, usually your sleeping bag and a duffle bag with your clothes in it. You can leave the rest of your stuff in your cabin at the ranch for when you get back Friday afternoon.
I take a canvas bedroll with a sleeping bag inside, lots of people just take a sleeping bag, but the canvas bedroll keeps you dry and adds a lot of warmth. (Note: Preston has bedrolls available for you if you want one). It gets chily at night and sometimes dewey, last year it was in the high 30's low 40's at night. High 70's during the day, although the sunfactor is higher.
I take cowboy boots for riding and hiking boots for the walking, sometimes you might want to leave your horse behind and it is much easier to walk in hiking boots. I don't recommend tennis shoes or low-top shoes, because you will be scrambling around in the rocks during a gunfight, and you will want the extra ankle support.
Jeans- I usually take 3 pair, one for Sun/Mon one for Tue/Wed/Thur/Fri (during the game), and one to change into for Fri night and Sat. Maybe some comfortable shorts for the van ride to and from the ranch.
Long Sleeve shirts for the daytime (the sun is intense at that altitude). I bring 3 and change them Weds, Thurs, and Fri morning. Rowdy Russ only wears one longsleave shirt the whole week!
A couple Short Sleeve shirts. If you change these underneath your longsleve shirt, you need less long sleave ones...at least that's what Rowdy tells me.
A bandanna; if you are in a dusty area they make your life much easier.
Socks and Underwear; put the ones you want to go to your teams camp in a plastic ziplock bag to keep them dry in case it rains!
A cowboy hat and a baseball cap. You need the baseball cap to wear when you put on the paintball mask, the mask won't fit with your cowboy hat. The cowboy hat protects you from the intense New Mexico sun. Oh yeah....SUNSCREEN!
2 canteens or water bottles that you can put in your saddle bags. You know those tin canteens with colorful straps? They stink. The jostling on the horse tears the strap on the metal canteen...stay away!
Compass
Pocketknife
Sunglasses
Sunblock (I put it in again so you won't forget)
Chap Stick *very important* (Your lips will get sunburned and windburned)
Stocking hat - at night, in your bag, the only thing sticking out is your head, and it gets cold!
Camera (the disposable ones work great, don't bring your good one)
Small travel pillow (this is my luxury item I bring; maybe you'll use your extra shirt or somethin')
Pencil and small writing tablet
Leather gloves
Small flashlight
A watch
A book or magazine, for the van ride (it's about 3-4 hours to and from the ranch from the airport); and also, when you get killed you can't play for 3 hours and this will help pass the time
Chaps; these have been worth the investment for me, some of the land can be rough whether you're riding or walking. However, they are expensive, and they are also hot! If you don't have them, I don't recommend buying them, if you do have them, bring 'em. I have the leather kind and not the soft suade that tears easily...don't bring your show chaps!
Rain gear. I have an oilskin full length duster a lot of people bring slickers. Don't bring a poncho that just goes over your head. When it rains it is very windy and the horses don't like the poncho flapping around and it won't keep you dry. Your raingear needs to be moderately heavy.
Light jacket or a sweatshirt.
A towel and wash cloth for Friday's shower. If you forget, the ranch will find ya one.
Basic personal items: Keep it very basic for the game (like toothbrush, toothpaste, deodorant, hairbrush)
but bring other items for your Friday shower that you can leave in your cabin (like shampoo, razor, shaving cream, soap)
Any medications you take or in my case some candy to satisfy my sweet tooth.
If you wear glasses, and absolutely have to have them, consider going down to your local paintball store and spending $40 on a paintball mask that fits over your glasses. The masks at the ranch don't fit over big (most) glasses. It's an investment you'll be glad you made.
If you wear contacts, remember that you are in the desert and EVERYTHING is dirty and grimey. Take extra saline and some wetnaps to clean your hands.
See ya in the killing fields!
Anything Goes Andrea |
