I am an overpacker. There, I said it. It seems like the logical way to pack would be to create a few outfits, and bring those necessary pieces only, right? Wrong. Reality always seems to be a few shirts here, a couple pairs of pants there, and (fingers crossed) hoping these outfits will magically create themselves once we reach our destination. This process is an emotional rollercoaster, reoccurring with each trip regardless of duration or destination.
Surely I can’t be the only one who struggles with the suitcase. I’ve studied countless posts on ‘how to pack’ for various trips in an effort to change my ways, with little to no success on my end. This is going to be a little different. This is ‘what I wore’. Regardless of what I packed (likely too much), here is what I actually needed.
What: Outdoor adventures
Where: Colorado (I-70 Mountain Corridor, Estes Park)
When: March
Day 1: Late night travel from Minneapolis to Denver, and a quick drive to Evergreen to get a good nights sleep. I wanted to bring one outfit to wear around town without looking like a total ski bum (but let’s be honest, I obviously packed more). In an effort to save space in the suitcase, I wore this outfit on the plane. Skinny jeans, hometown t-shirt, and cardigan kept me warm while traveling and stylish around town.
Day 2/3: Skiing was the main activity here. I’ll keep it simple and highlight what I wear on the slopes for maximum warmth and functionality. My ski outfit rarely varies, especially on quick trips when packing light. A few go-to pieces have served me well over the years, so I stick with what works.
Day 4: An early start took me through snow, fog, and rain to a final destination of sunshine in Estes Park. The first half of the day was fueled by practical, layered hiking gear. The layers were a necessity with temperatures varying widely across the 8 miles of hiking through the outskirts of Rocky Mountain National Park.
The Weekend Bag: The Dakine Fall Line Ski Roller Bag goes with me on all ski trips. It’s a soft, padded bag – somewhat risky checking through baggage claim with delicate equipment inside, but flexible enough to serve as a checked bag with everything I need for a long weekend trip.
