Packing List

The following is a list of items that I carry while traveling. This list is much smaller and more efficient than what I carried initially. Key factors include: carrying the bare minimum, not taking items that will only be used once or twice, and carrying only items you are able to part with if stolen. This list holds for almost any climate in the world, and can be slimmed down if traveling in specific climates. All of these items can be put in a large daypack or a small (day and a half) backpack, with the sleeping bag tied to the outside (or even the sleeping bag inside if it is small, like a warm weather bag).

•     Sleeping bag stuff sack containing

•         sleeping bag (rated to fairly cold)

•         plastic ground cloth sheet (used when sleeping anywhere to avoid bedbugs etc)

•       Mosquito bednet and some strings

•     Sandals (for shower or hot areas)

•     Mid weight hiking boots (wear most of the time)

•     Clothes:

•       2 sets of undergarments, socks, t-shirts. Wash one and wear one.

•       1 pair shorts (also for swimming), 1 nice pants (bought from secondhand store), 1 sweatpants

•        1 sweatshirt, 1 sweatshirt with hood, 1 raingear/windbreaker

•       wool socks, stocking cap, thin gloves

•     Toiletries:

•       soap in dish; toothbrush, paste and floss; razors to look good at borders; vitamins; Cipro pills for when bad food is eaten; malaria pills (if you believe in them)

•     1 Water bottle

•     1 small metal cup, 1 metal spoon, 1 basic swiss army knife

•     Toilet paper in a plastic bag

•     "Essentials kit": including first aid kit, leatherman type tool, many small spare parts: duct tape, paper clips, matches, lighter, candle, string...

•     Pile (dozens) of passport photos in plastic bag

•     Applicable guidebooks

•     Small list of addresses of whom to send post cards to.   

•     Small flashlight and spare batteries.

•     In a X-Ray proof bag (hand inspection never happens): spare film, camera.

•     Notebook

•     Bandana

•     Mosquito headnet (available at Walmart for like $1).

•     Goofy stuff: for me this was an inflatable globe.

• On person strapped to various parts of body (ankle, calf, waist, neck, arm, etc)

•    money, passport, insurance cards, etc.

• In obvious pocket:

•    few $USD and local currency, and a fake credit cards.

• Also in pockets: timepiece (calc watch for currency conversions), compass, notepad, pen

• On internet (emailed to yourself for example):

•     list of everything you are carrying in case you lose it.

•     list of addresses to write post cards to

•    every detail on every important looking thing on your person (health insurance numbers, passport details, visa details, other id numbers, etc)

• Durable yet light overbag (if bag is big), combination padlock.