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[title]SEVE PONCE DE LEON, 25, River North
Though he’s not related to the famous Spanish explorer, with a name like Ponce de Leon it’s no wonder he has a fierce wanderlust. Stand-out moments from his backpacking trips to 25 countries include chimp tracking in Uganda and hiking up Mt. Kilimanjaro in Tanzania. Ponce de Leon says he could use the following gadgets and travel essentials for his next big adventure: hiking the Inca Trail to Peru’s Machu Picchu in March.
My favorite budget stocking stuffer is…Dr. Bronner’s 2-ounce liquid soap, $2.35 at Merz Apothecary. “Instead of bringing hand soap, body soap, face soap, laundry detergent and shampoo, I can use Dr. Bronner’s for just about everything.”
If you have to get a gift certificate, get it from…REI. “Great selection of travel gear, and members get 10 percent off everything they buy—refunded at the end of the year.”
Please don’t get me any more…hiking socks. “It’s not like they’re useless, but at some point, enough is enough.”
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