Okay, what exactly do you need to bring with you in that backpack of yours? Well, here it is my experience, although I am not an expert.
When preparing for my “Up North” trip, I started with 42 l rucksack, but lots of stuff were hanging outside, so I changed it with quite bigger one – 80 + 15 l.
Let’s start with the underwear. I had 4 pairs (5 if you count those on me) of socks and as much panties, which I haven’t used really, as I did the washing every day. Yet I have enough in case I am not able to wash regularly. Also a spare bra – comes relay handy when you sweat all day and you need it washed and dried by the morning (not always possible).
All the clothes I have (or almost) are for outdoor, so they are fast-drying and light.
Next: We start with a towel, 2 t-shirts (+1 on me), long and short hiking pants, a pair of yoga/fitness short leggings (+ 1), 1 pair of termo leggings, 2 long sleeve t-shirt (was going north after all). Also had this (on the photo below), which name I don’t know, but it’s quite useful and handy – it weights nothing, drys in a minutes and was (along with the short leggings) my “oficial outfit“! 😎
Rarely used the second spare t-shirt and the long leggings (The long-sleeves just after I did arrive at the Netherlands, but that was the plan anyway.), but once again – it’s because the opportunity to wash (on hand of course) every day.
Next: toothpaste and toothbrush, a soup, little (30 ml) bottles of shampoo and conditioner, dry deodorant and a hand cream. And of course, my earplugs! 😆
For shoes I have only my walking boots and a pair of slippers – quite enough. Had also a rain-cover big enough for me with the rucksack – luckily did not need to use it.
Apart from it have a rain jacket and a polar vest (also used as a pillow when camping), which combined would be quite a winder jacket. 😉
Of course the tent (1200 g!). Some lady’s stuff and a sewing/repair kit. Now, as I mentioned before, I haven’t been able to use the tent a lot. But I never regret caring it! And the goal now is to solve that issue.
The sleeping bag. Well, mine is quite heavy – it has the weight of the tent, but it have been both years ago, when that kind of travel haven’t even cross my mind. The light ones are really expensive and usually they are summer ones. Well, mine is 3 seasons, and I decided that I could handle the extra 500 grams (the diferencie with the light ones) instead of spending more money and lowering my flexibility at the same time.
Haven’t regret it either!
First-aid kit with an emergency blanked and some basic drugs like aspirin, paracetamol and painkillers, etc. Luckily on the road I needed only the aspirin and some paracetamol as I got a cold.
When walking with all the luggage I sweat a lot, then a car stops and the air-conditioner inside makes me freeze. Yeah, but can you imagine to try hitchhiking with a rainy nose while most of the people are wearing masks afraid of the “deadly” virus around?! You got the picture, right? So yeah, I had to get rid of the cold symptoms immediately!
And here we go – the food and the cooking stuff. Including the cloth-line and dish-washing sponge and liquid. Oh, and the 2 litres camel bag full of water!
Well, here on the picture is a bit more than I usually care – I started with that and knew it will be reduced very soon. 😉
Basically there is some rice, oatmeal, pumpkin seeds (proved to be very handy on the road – filing, healthy and light!), salt, sugar and a few packs of tea. Oh, and a couple of instant coffee packs “3 in 1” – I don’t really like it, but it’s very handy, especially when there is nothing better on site. 😉
Well, here we go – starting with the heavyset stuff – the external battery and the chargers…
And the heaviest part here – the laptop, the external drive (and the spare phone inside the case too) and my big heavy camera… 🤦🏻♀️🤦🏻♀️🤦🏻♀️
Yeah, you could do better here, but I had no spare money for new and lighter laptop and camera, so it is what it is… 🤷♀️
In addition I had of course my phone, my documents, a knife and a taser. The last one I was using mainly for dogs – they got scared from the sound itself and don’t get even closer! So I do miss it a lot, but it proved to be a problem in some countries (I got fined and it was confiscated at the Croatian border) and will see how I’m going to solve that problem too.
So, some of the things I haven’t used (much or at all). Yet let’s not forget that it was relatively short way – just a month. Arriving at the Netherlands I was lucky to have some unexpected help, so I didn’t have to use some of the stuff. Nevertheless, I never regret having them, as I was ready if I need them.
Yeah, the laptop and the camera are too heavy and need changing, but that’s a financial matter. You could do it better. Or you could even not need them at all! It depends.
My trip has no return date, so I am not on a few weeks/months vacation. I am actually living on the way, so I do need my equipment.
So, by me, it was not too much, but almost enough! 😆 Almost, because my water were never enough for a wild camping… 🤷♀️
Edit: A friend of mine, after reading the post, said "I didn't know you have a sewing set?" Then I remember, that I have a few additional items. Including a shovel (for multiple use), LOL! 😆
GALERIES
