Dave's Photo & Travelblogue

What to pack?

Since the last travel post, I upgraded (exchanged) from a 50L pack to a 65L model. With the Osprey Atmos 65, I was able to fit in everything I need, at a weight (so far) of 28 pounds. I expect that’ll go up about 2 or 3 pounds before I leave. Here it is so far:

Packed into the backback (including the “small” 30L day-pack):

Am I missing anything vital?

On the list so far:

• Osprey Atmos 65 backpack
• Osprey pack cover for the time it spends on a plane
• Deuter 30L daypack
• REI 45 degree down sleeping bag
• Camelbak water bladder
• 1L Sigg bottle (not sure yet)
• D-SLR camera with mini tripod
• 70-300mm lens for the D-SLR
• 13″ laptop with power adapter & plug adapters
• 2 pairs of long pants (one convertible to shorts)
• 1 pair of shorts
• 3-4 short-sleeve shirts: one Smartwool, one normal high-tech fabric, 1-2 quick-dry button up
• 2 long-sleeve shirts: one Smartwool, one quick-dry button up
• 1 Smartwool lightweight sweater
• 1 Windstopper vest
• 1 waterproof/breathable shell
• 1 Microfiber towel
• 1 mesh sack to hold clothes
• 1 stuff sack for dirty stuff
• 3 pairs Ex Officio quick-drying underwear
• 2 pairs REI light wool hiking socks, 2 pairs light quick-dry socks
• Swimsuit
• Teva sandals
• Suntan lotion
• Mini pocket camera
• iPod Touch
• 50′ rope (clothesline, extra shoelaces, etc)
• Swiss army knife, chosen over a Leatherman due to size, price, and having a corkscrew
• Zipka headlamp
• Earplugs and eye covers
• Mobile phone
• Bag o’ chargers
• Sunglasses (2 kinds, one for use with contacts)
• Toiletries kit (contacts, razor, toothbrush, soap, ibuprofen, antacid, etc)
• Sewing repair kit
• Cap with brim
• Thin liner hat
• Travel money belt
• Lightweight walking shoes with mesh for quick drying
• 1-3 hangars to dry button-up shirts on (?)
• Zip ties
• Luggage lock for hostels (standard, or cable lock?)
• 18-200mm lens to replace 18-55mm + 70-300mm?
• Another short-sleeved Smartwool or Icebreaker?
• Mini umbrella?
• Belt
• Safety pins
• Plastic bags
• Woolite
• Insect repellant?

I can’t believe that all this weighs in at just about 30 pounds!

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Around the World

After a lot of time and effort, I’ve saved up 200,000 frequent flyer miles on one carrier. Say what? Yes, that’s a lot. Enough for a coach-class “round the world” fare with 5 stops.

Some equipment (jackets, pants, Tevas, D90 D-SLR) I already have, but I’m loading up on gear this week while I’m in the States where the stuff is cheap. So far I picked up this pack, an Osprey Atmos 50:

Plus I’ve found:

• a lightweight down sleeping bag (perfect for hostels)
• short and long Smartwool shirts, 150 weight
• merino socks
• headlamp with AAA’s
• slimline money belt
• in the plans: lightweight shoes

What critical pieces of gear would you recommend? I have super short hair so can skip the shampoo, but I need to bring a beard trimmer. I hope one charge on my Braun will last 2-3 months, hehe.

Possible stops after I depart Munich:

• somewhere in South America
• Hawaii
• Japan
• Australia
• New Zealand
• Asia… Korea? Thailand?

Where have you been? What was the BEST hostel you ever stayed at? (For me it was the AF Chapman ship in Stockholm). I’m definitely open for suggestions. I’m planning a couple of side trips from my main itinerary with separate airline flights or train trips. And I’m aiming for warm climates, as I won’t bring full winter gear.

Let’s see what happens — maybe I meet a few of you on my travels!

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