The Government Shutdown Turned My Trip Into a 48-hour Layover Nightmare-These 12 Items Were Lifesavers

"Thankfully, I was well-prepared for the extended airport layover, since many of the travel accessories and gear I bring on hiking trips are quite versatile and easily adaptable from the trail to the terminal. Over the years, I've honed my international travel and hiking kit, having used it everywhere from exploring the west coast of Ireland to hiking the Izu Peninsula and Shikoku Temple Pilgrimage. I was grateful to have these 12 essentials with me to make the layover and long travel day a breeze, like a power bank to keep my phone charged and a cozy top layer to stay warm."

"While I usually prefer to travel carry-on only, my trip involved exploring Madeira's gorgeous trails, so I had to check a bag to bring my hiking poles to the mountainous island. I made sure to slip an Apple AirTag inside for peace of mind during travel. Thanks to my AirTag, I felt better during my day-long layover and when I boarded my flight to Europe, knowing my bag was safely on board."

"During long travel days, I'm always trying to stay hydrated, and meeting my hydration goals is easier with the 32-ounce Nalgene Sustain Wide-mouth Water Bottle. I slip this into the side pocket of my backpack and regularly top it up at airport bottle fill stations to always keep water handy. It works great for airports and airplanes, and it is also a perfect trail companion when out on hikes."

A government shutdown canceled an initial flight, forcing rebooking to an early-morning departure and a day-long layover at Denver International Airport. Versatile hiking accessories served double duty for the airport delay. A travel kit refined through international trips included an Apple AirTag slipped into a checked bag for tracking, a 32-ounce Nalgene Sustain wide-mouth water bottle for staying hydrated, a BioLite Charge 20 PD power bank for device charging, and a cozy top layer for warmth. Twelve essentials kept the long travel day manageable across both trail and terminal situations.

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