Checklist for a ten-day self-contained retreat
Friends, I attach a checklist of inventory for organising a ten-day single retreat. Perhaps you will find it useful.
Food:
- For breakfast, I used ready-made thought-sublimates, in which you only need to pour hot water – it saved a lot of energy and time. For dinner I cooked cereals or pasta, seasoned with tinned vegetable salads or pesto – also everything happened quite quickly (it is better to spread cereals in bags into portions in advance at home, then there will be even less problems). Plus I added fruit, dried fruit, nuts, bread, tea, honey. I used about 3 litres of water a day ( brought with me iwater canisters);
- For cooking I used a Primus portable gas burner. The 450g gas cylinder was not enough, so I had to take another small 230g cylinder or a second one of the same size;
- Naturally, for cooking – lighters (always at least two), cutlery, dishes for eating, as well as two pots (1 litre capacity each) – two because in one I boiled only water, in the other cooked food – to wash in hiking conditions pot so that it did not give the taste of previously cooked food, will not work. Yes, it is better to take with you a sponge and some nature gentle dishwashing soap – it is better than rubbing with sand;
- A thermos for tea and a water bottle.
Clothes should be selected according to the weather. It should be taken into account that in hiking conditions we sweat a lot, so don’t be lazy to take with you 5 changeable bottom layers of clothes (underwear and thermal underwear. I bathed in the sea every day or every other day, but still you sweat from the heat, or from practice, or from walking after practice).
My summer clothing list:
- Light base layer (several sets);
- Warm base layer;
- T-shirts;
- Trekking trousers (the first layers are used either for insulation or when staying in a tent, outside it is better to wear rough clothes, because you will cling to rocks and branches, and from mosquitoes rough clothes protects better);
- A fleece sweatshirt for insulation;
- Autumn jacket (even when it was +26 heat during the day, I meditated at +14 in the morning);
- Mackintosh or poncho;
- Waterproof socks (if your boots are not waterproof);
- Regular socks (one of the ones you’ll be sleeping in (so the sleeping bag doesn’t smell from your feet over time), the rest will need to be changed regularly, so several pairs);
- Warm socks;
- Underwear – 1 set for 2 days;
- Swimwear, shorts;
- Flip-flops;
- Hats 2 pcs (one thin, one warm);
- Neck buff;
- Gloves for handling tent, firewood, ropes, etc.
Hygiene:
- Mosquito repellent (also spray the entrance to the tent to protect against ants and ticks);
- Sunscreen;
- Moisturising cream;
- Antiperspirant;
- Shower gel;
- A small towel (I use a microfibre towel);
- Toothpaste, toothbrush;
- First aid kit (dressings, disinfectants, plasters, and medications: GI, anti-inflammatory, antipyretic, anti-allergy, etc.);
- Toilet paper (pack in a waterproof bag as it quickly absorbs moisture from the air (when it rains)).;
- A small trowel (like a sapper trowel) – dig your own toilet and then bury it later.
Bedding:
- Large tent – for a stationary camp, where you will most likely come by car, take a tent designed for 5 people. Here you will be able to sleep and practice, and in the “anteroom”, having tucked up the floor covering, you can prepare boiling water for muesli (in case of rain), and all your things will have somewhere to place. All in all, quite a self-contained option;
- The tarpaulin and the paracord on which the tarpaulin is stretched – I additionally put a waterproof tarpaulin and did not fail. Without it, the tent would definitely leak ( even though they say that they are waterproof), plus it protects well from the sun, also when the tent stands among the trees;
- Sleeping bag;
- Pillow – will greatly improve the quality of sleep;
- Sleeping bag mat;
Additionally:
- Solar panel;
- Power bank;
- Wires: charging from the panel or from the Power Bank to all your devices;
- Folding saw/axe – if you plan to build a fire;
- Ignition agent – to save time and effort;
- Lanterns – one that you’ll hang from the ceiling of the tent, one handheld (it’s good if they will be charged from a power bank that will be charged from a solar panel);
- Yoga mat;
- A meditation cushion (even if you normally meditate without an elevation, it is better to take a firm pillow under your butt and a plaid under your shins on retreat).
- A book (use primary sources of yoga – those that are difficult to read in normal life will open up in a new way in the retreat with a clear mind);
- Rosary for meditation with the mantra Om;
- A pepper spray is a must;
- Trash bags;
- A folding chair will greatly improve the quality of your rest, because you will get tired of spending your time sitting/lying on the floor. Sitting down normally while eating or just “humanly” enjoying the sunset will relieve your stress.
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