Even though I will be taking along some camping gear, and thus having to check a bag...ugh!...I've still been able to cut back my load. So, for all of you anal retentive junkies (like me) here's the preliminary list of what this "minimalist" traveler is taking on his adventure.
In the checked gear bag, measuring no more than 36 X 14 X 14 (personal choice) and filled with stuff I either have to check, or am willing to lose or be without for a few days due to delays:
- Celsius XXL Sleeping bag. I got the extra long and extra wide one so that I can turn around inside easily. This is going to be my bed for most of the trip and I want to be comfortable.
- Big Agnes Insulated Q-Core air mattress. This is advertised as the "mother of all air mattresses" and I'm hopoing all the reviews I have read are true. It inflates to an extra wide 27" AND 4" thick mattress, and is guranteed to withstand continual use on rough terrain. For $180 I hope it's true...smile.
- Sleep sack. This will fit inside my sleeping bag, can be easily laundered, and will keep that bag fresh throughout the trip.
- A folded up waterproof duffle bag (20X10X10) to transfer my everyday stuff into...I figure there are going to be days when my camping gear is wet and I will want to keep my clothes and other stuff dry.
- Hiking poles. One of the reasons I'm having to check a bag. TSA considers hiking poles to be weapons...yikes!
- Cooking gear. We are going to be cooking a lot of our meals on the road. I plan to eat good on this trip, which means I will be sticking my nose into the meal planning and preparation. Past experience has taught me that most camping companies are pretty shy on good knives and other necessities...so I'm coming prepared.
- My favorite chef and paring knives. The other reason for the carry-on.
- Instant meat thermometer. No underdone chicken or meat on this trip thank you very much.
- Large container of Montreal Seasonings. This will go along way to spice up those boring grilled meats we are going to encounter.
- Head lamp.
- Clothing.
- Two pair of travel pants (I don't wear shorts).
- One long sleeve shirt.
- Two short sleeve shirts .
- Three sets of underwear.
- Three pair socks.
- Swim suit .
- One pair of trekking sandals.
- Travel towel and two large Sham-wows. These are the shammies you see advertised on TV that soak up tons of water and ring out almost dry. They will come in handy for rainy nights when the tent leaks, and those mornings when the only way to bath is from a bowl of very cold water.
- A durable waterproof bag for dirty clothes. This will keep everything clean smelling and I'm bring my own so I don't have to contribute to the plastic bag abuse worldwide.
- A portable clothes line.
- Super glue. Fixes almost everything and will close up an open gash in the skin.
- Duck tape. A neccessity and something I have used on every trip at one time or another.
- Platy. For that little of bit of somthing to drink on those long days in the truck.
In my daypack. The things I can't afford to loose or be without becuase of delays:
- Travel documents: Immunixation Record, Airline Tickets, Printed Confirmations (not just on the iPhone), Visas, Extra Passport Photos.
- Travel pillow. A friend gave me a great one made by Kelty that is almost large enough to pass for a real pillow, folds up to almost nothing in size, and comes in real handy on long flights and uncomfortable seats on busses.
- Travel headphones. I've discovered that these are a necessity. They cancel out noice on long flights so I can sleep and they actually let me hear the sound on in-flight movies. I use JVC and think they are better than Bose.
- Plenty of digital memory cards. Overseas they are really pricy and you are not always sure of what you are really buying.
- For this trip I am bringing my Cannon G11 and also a small Canon Elph pocket camera.
- Extra camera batteries and chargers.
- Binoculars. I keep saying I'm going to leave these at home and somehow they keep getting packed and seldom used. Here I go again.
- Cell phone, charger and car adapter. This time around the car adapter is a "must have."
- Digital copies of all my travel docments loaded on my cell phone along with special pictures of home, family, and things I like to do so that I have something to share with people I meet.
- Med kit: Dailies. Diarrhea. Cipro. Aspirin, Cold meds, etc. I've learned that unless you are willing to buy something you've never used before, don't expect to see Tylenol and Nyquil on the shelves in other countriesf.
- Toilet kit.
- Extra contact lenses and a spair pair of glasses.
- Electric plug adapter. I've learned to bring my own and not expect to be able to buy any along the way. I take the "International Six" and so far I've been okay.
- Second pair of sunglasses-ones I have actually taken time to buy, wear, and like. It never fails that I loose the ones I take and have to settle for something that doesn't wear well or that I eventually don't like to wear.
- Travel gifts. This is something new that I am doing for this trip. I went online and found "wholesale lapel pins" for about $1 USD each. I purchased 25 Alaska State Emblems and 25 moose. I will give these to kids and folks I meet along the way that touch my heart.
- Light weight hiking boots. I'll have those trekking samdals in my carry-on as my backups.
- Waterproof jacket.
- Lightweight sweater.
- Long sleeve shirt. In addition to the one in my bag.
- Hat.
- Favorite sunglasses.
- Passport.
- Credit cards.
- Money belt - Cash
That's it for now...and this list will be amended a dozen times over before I leave..smile...I know ME all too well
