Packing List - updated 1/27/06

After a couple of requests, I have decided to post a packing list. This is what’s in my pack only; Michael carries some things that we both use, such as Ipod chargers and travel alarm clock and he does not carry a guidebook or first aid kit because I have them. I don’t bother to carry a camera because he has so much photo gear. I have a couple of sturdy plastic bags with zippers that I use for my sandals and underwear/pajamas/accessories and notebooks that make it all easier to pack. I find that the less loose stuff floating around my pack, the better.

Counting all clothes and counting the pack itself (4.25 lbs/1.9 kg) and the laptop (7 lbs/3.8 kg), but not counting hiking boots, which I wear when we’re on the move, the full pack weighs 30 lbs/13.6 kg.

Backpack: Eagle Creek Continental Journey* (Main pack is 21.5 x 14.5 x 9", Zip-on daypack is 16 x 12 x 6")

Clothes

2 pairs long pants, not detachable --used very often
1 knee-length skirt --used rarely
2 t-shirts, one regular polyester/rayon/spandex, one Icebreakers merino** --used very often
1 long sleeved button down shirt --used often
1 black tank top, suitable for going out, or not --used sometimes
1 sundress, fits into sandwich bag --never used
1 Patagonia Expedition Weight Capilene shirt (to use as a sweater)--used often
1 Columbia fleece jacket --used often
1 Goretex shell with hood --used rarely
2 pairs Smartwool socks*** (1 light hiking, 1 mountaineering) --used very often
1 bra used very often--
6 pairs underwear --used very often
1 Bergelene long underwear top (doubles as pajamas in cold places) --used very often
1 Capilene long underwear bottom (doubles as pajamas in cold places) --used often
1 pair boxers (for sleeping in warm places) --used often
1 camisole (for sleeping in warm places, and as an extra layer in cold places) --used often
1 headscarf for sleeping --used very often
2 scarves for accessorizing -- used sometimes
1 pair Vasque Sundowners hiking boots**** --used very often
1 pair Teva Pretty Rugged sandals***** --used very often
1 pair high-heeled sandals --never used
1 bathing suit --used rarely
1 cotton sun hat --used rarely

Toiletries

Eagle Creek Small Toiletry Kit with hanging hook and mirror
Sturdy plastic soapdish and soap
Exfoliating shower glove
Leave-in conditioner (for use as shampoo, leave-in, and shaving)
Small jar of Carol’s Daughter Healthy Hair Butter
Plastic cap for deep conditioning
Razor with replaceable blades
Pumice stone with nailbrush
Small nail clipper
Nail file
Tweezers
Mascara
Small compact with four eyeshadow colors
Lip gloss
3 bra-strap headbands
assorted rubber bands
detangling comb
rat-tail comb
toothpaste
floss
toothbrush
face/body lotion
Q-tips

Documents

Eagle Creek money belt, carried not worn
Passport
“Yellow Card” vaccination record with yellow fever record
American Express travelers’ checks $500
USD Cash $500
ATM Card
Visa card
Mastercard

First Aid Kit

Chewable Immodium (2 or 3 pills in blister-pack carried in daypack)
Chewable Dramamine (2 or 3 pills in blister-pack carried in daypack)
Asperin
Ibuprofin
2 Diflucan
1 sheet Moleskin
1 roll gauze
several individually wrapped gauze pieces
bandage tape
individual packets of antiseptic ointment and first aid cream
1 insect sting wipe (came with kit)
small first-aid booklet
Emergency supply of feminine needs
Mosquito bite itch relief gel (carried in daypack because they are really after me)

Miscellaneous

Silk sleeping bag liner******--used rarely
Sarong (for use as beachwrap or towel) --used sometimes (as towel)
Guidebook --used very often
Small Spanish-English dictionary --used often
Small calculator --used sometimes
Playing cards --used sometimes
Maglite Solitare flashlight (the teeny size) --used rarely
Mini Maglite (third size up) --used rarely
Combination lock --never used
Cable lock with keys --never used
Swiss Army knife with scissors --used sometimes
Business cards --used rarely
4 Uni-ball pens --used very often
1 Mead 5.5X8 notebook with pockets --used often
Hand sanitizer --used rarely
Earplugs --used rarely
Ipod --used sometimes
Italk (for interviews) --never used
Book to read and swap --used very often
Sunglasses and case --used sometimes
glasses leash --never used
Lip balm --used very often
Sunscreen --used rarely
Small bottle of Deep Woods Off (95% DEET) --used very rarely
Sewing kit, self-made, fits in an empty Chapstik tube --used rarely
Extra toilet paper --used often
Large sleeping bag sack, used for segregating dirty clothes and carrying laundry --used sometimes
4 AA batteries
2 AAA batteries


Computer

12” Mac Powerbook G4
Booq Vyper case for 12” Mac
Powercord
System Software (1 CD)

Reviews:
*Backpack is great. Sturdy, solid. I like that the straps zip away for flights. Could use a bit more back support but no problem if I pack light. I never zip the daypack to the main pack. It looks silly and throws off my balance. I either carry the daypack separately, if I know I’ll want to stow the main pack under the bus and carry the daypack with my valuables, or I’ll pack the daypack inside the main pack.

**Icebreakers shirt was crazy expensive. I would not have bought it if I didn’t have a gift certificate. But I’m glad I have it. It’s holding up much better than my regular t-shirt. I can’t vouch for the magical wicking powers of wool – it feels no cooler than my regular shirt. I guess it feels a bit warmer on cool days than my regular t-shirt, but not by much.

***Smartwool socks are great and worth every penny. They feel fabulous when clean, but also feel decent and still snug when they’ve been worn a few days, which I cannot say for ordinary socks. They can also be washed in the sink and air-dried without stretching out. They do take a while to dry; it helps to wring them out in a towel to soak up extra moisture.

****The Sundowners are a good shoe. I read that they have fallen down in quality now that they are being made in China instead of Italy. I don’t know about that, but I can say mine are comfortable and did not hurt to break in, just needed loosening up. They are holding up perfectly except for scuffs. They are my only closed shoes and I can wear them on the hottest days without feeling uncomfortable.

*****Teva Pretty Ruggeds are not pretty at all, but they’ll do. I got them in black because all those colors drive me nuts. When I have them on I never notice them at all, so I guess that means they are comfortable. I can wear them in the shower at times if the shower seems icky, though the straps take a few hours to dry.

******The sleep sack is pretty expensive and "used rarely" but when I do use it, it's SO welcome. Most of the sheets we've had have been acceptable, but it's hard for me to relax on an icky bed, so when we do get one of those I'm glad to break out the sleep sack and put its clean softness between me and whatever. It packs super light and small. I have traveled with a cotton one in the past, made from a sheet I folded in half and sewed, but it was really bulky and impossible to wash by hand so I would not do that again. I've heard they sell silk sleep sacks cheap on E-bay, but I wouldn't know.