The Day of departure is fast approaching. And unlike lots of people I know, I haven’t waited until the last day to pack. For me, packing for a big trip around the world is great fun. I love figuring out exactly what I will need to travel and survive.
I usually start this packing process about a week in advance and it is the perfect amount of time for me to reduce the clutter. And to figure out the best combination of clothing and gear so that I am both as light and comfortable as I can possibly be. I pack, then empty my bag, sort through it, and pack again. I do this sometimes as many as 4 or 5 times.
Here’s what I narrowed it down to.
Clothes: 6 boxers, 7 socks, 2 t-shirts, 1 polo shirt, 1 thin white dress shirt, 2 shorts, I pair of long johns, a beanie, I wind breaker, I sweater, 1 pair of sneakers, 1 pair of sandals, and one jacket.
Survival Gear: 2 Packets of ginseng, 6 packs of ginger tea, 10 packs of vitamin C powder called Emergen-C, multi-vitamins, a razor, travel deodorant and shampoo, tooth brush and paste, a head torch, 2 harmonicas, 2 heat packs, 1 glow stick, a Swiss army knife, a compass, sleeping bag 30F 0C, thermo-rest sleeping mat, 4lbs Kelty Grand Mesa tent, airplane pillow, thin rope, a carabineer, and a water bottle.
Electronics: Ipad for blogging (not sure how well it’s going to work out), Ipod, and a Sony Cyber shot camera.
Paperwork: Copy of my passport, world nomads insurance,(For info on travel insurance, check out this guide, “Run Away With Travel Insurance?“) birth certificate, social security card, drivers license, old drivers license, international drivers permit, credit card, 20 passport size photos and vaccinations. All of these copies will come in handy in case I lose them. Some of these things will also be needed in order to obtain visa’s at borders like Sudan.
The Backpack: A big thanks to my good friend Nick for lending me is Black Diamond Backpack. Not sure of the size or exact model since it is an older pack, but I am guessing it is a 50 liter. For help choosing your own backpack, check out, “How To Pick Your Pack.”
Total Weight: Around 45 lbs.
Though it is a bit heavier than I would like, I really can’t go any lighter without sacrificing a significant level of comfort. In order to get used the 45lbs I have been taking daily walks with the pack. I have also tested my tent and sleeping bag for a night of camping in the backyard.
Now, the only thing that’s left to prepare is my head. Even though I am leaving this Friday, I am still somewhat in denial. I don’t think it will truly sink in until I am somewhere over the Atlantic between New York and London. In any case, my soul is beginning to tingle.
If there is anything else you think I should bring, let me know!
Pretty cool stuff
Nice, glad you like it.
What up, Leif. I’m an aspiring backpacker and was just wondering how you keep your stuff safe and not get it stolen when you go to the beach or things like that.
Hey Jonathan, I usually lock my stuff up in dorm locker rooms and leave everything behind when I head to the beach. Things do get stolen from hostels but it doesn’t happen often. You just have to stay on top of things.
I’m interested to see your updated gear list as I’m guessing it has changed alot being nearly a year… Anyways, my total gear volume is 26 liters and still look for excuses to make it even less. See ya on the road.
Hey John, I will do a post on it, good idea!
u could ditch the expensive swiss army knife for a vegetable knife from the super market….
i would ditch most of the clothes… u can survive with one boxers. 1 socks as u probably wear sandels everyday… even the jacket , just dont go to colder places….. then u can survive with out the sleeping bag and tent as its cheap enough to stay in side… just a sarong for towel, bed sheet, make shift curtain on a bunk bed…. etc etc…. i like no more than 20lbs….
You’re totally right. I brought way too much stuff. I ended up with so much less. I used to travel with hardly anything but I guess I appreciate comfort more that I am getting older. On my next trip, I am going really light again. Can’t be held down by all that worldly crap.
Sleeping bags are great, but personally I have a long green cape with a big hood and pockets. It is very durable, and i installed sleeves at the base of the hood and the bottem hem for rope or wood. it turns into an extremely comfy cocoon-like hammock. i like travelling through small towns and woods with lots of trees, and have actually camped in a tree for 18 hours without anybody noticing! I live to climb, and usually sleep by day and travel by night.
Wishing you luck!
I hear ya, that’s also a good idea and what I used to do. I love climbing trees too. If they are big enough, branches are good places to sleep.
Going on another adventure I see, haha! Ive just started looking at your site and your blogs and I myself am gonna go backpacking this summer! Great tips! I think I’ll bring my iPad with me, because I’m probably going to start my own blog! I’m only fourteen but its gonna be an adventure(:
Jealous of your upcoming adventure! Looks like you’ve done a great job of confining your life to the pack though. You’ll have to let me know how it is blogging from an iPad. I blogged from my iPhone while I was in Fiji earlier this year and it wasn’t so bad. I’d imagine the iPad would work a bit better :-p
Come with! :) I managed to sell my broken laptop last minute and had enough for a macbook air, which has been amazing, super light, and perfect for traveling/blogging. I can’t believe you managed on an iPhone, thats great.
Woohoo! Off on another whirl-wind adventure. :)
I’ll be really interested to know how an iPad for blogging goes. I bought one and have been rather wary taking it with me when I travel – I love my laptop even if it’s a heavy bulky 17″ thing.
I love that you’re taking tea with you as well! I take white tea with me whenever I travel – so delicious to have your favourite brew with you when you need a pick me up.
Safe travels and can’t wait to read about your adventures. ^_^
Yea! I hear ya, 17” is massive, how’s your back lol? Yea, I just thought of tea at the last minute, i am looking forward to drinking it in my aluminum water bottle over a twig fire.
Thanks Nicole, will do.
Wow I bet your goin crazy to travel again here. I do the same thing with the packing but sometimes I start 3-6 months before my trip. When I pack my rule is to make sure I dont have to check my bag and I can stow it under my seat. Though I usually stay in a hostel or at someones house. Have you tried couchsurfing? I havent yet but want to. Maybe I should start thinking about bringing more gear for camping situations so I can save more money. Is it usually easy to find camping spots throughout Europe that are free? Well hope that Ipad works out for you.
~Michael
Hey Michael, thats some serious prep time. Thats a good idea, contemplating the size. I haven’t actually ever stayed at a proper camp site in europe. I usually just find some woods somewhere and set up camp. Its cheaper that way. But I bet there are lots of good places to camp, maybe I will check them out this trip.