Originally, I was going to post this sometime in July. But, seeing how I have collected all my gear already (well ahead of schedule!) and training camp is next week, I thought it would be a good time to share.
Ever wonder how to pack for a year in a 50L backpack? Well, here’s how I do it! Video included. Warning: magic wand maybe necessary.
Step 1: Lay out everything so you can see it. This will tell you two things. 1. You probably have more than you think. And 2. With creativity you can make it all disappear. (and then feel like the great conqueror that you are when you successfully do so)
Step 2: The pre-pack. I like to use e-bags packing cubes and stuff sacks. This keeps all my gear organized and also makes it easier to unpack and separate out when I’m looking for specific items. The key is to not be afraid to stuff. The packing cubes and stuff sacks will help compress all the gear so it fits easier and faster into your bag. Organize however you want!
Step 3: The magic act! This is the part where you make everything disappear into your backpack! Or… find out you have too much and start throwing things madly across the room. (This technique is also valid since most of the time it gets thrown behind the couch and equally disappears) Place the items you use the most in your day pack or towards the top of your backpack.
Step 4: Celebrate! At this point it is hopefully all in the bag. I strap any of the extras on the outside, such as my tent, and use a oversized rain cover. Make sure you strike a pose and catch a sweet adventure pic! Then Go tell the world you have conquered!
Here’s the video
Link: https://youtu.be/4sf8m9upKIg
Full Packing List:
Equipment
Backpack: Kelty Redwing 50
Daypack: Gregory Miwok 18
70L Rain Cover
20L Rain Cover
Tent: Kelty TN2
Tent Footprint
Packing Cubes: Ebags size M and S
Mesh Bags (for Laundry)
Bedtime
Pillow: Nemo Fillo
Pillow Case
Sleeping Bag: Kelty Cosmic 40
Sleeping Bag Liner: Sea to Summit Silk
Sleeping Pad: Thermarest Prolite XS!! (not recommended unless you like to be uncomfortable. Its only a half size and not full length)
Tools
2 Carabiners
2 Travel Locks
Spork: Light my Fire Spoon and Fork
Collapsible Bowl: Sea to Summit
Pocket Knife
Leatherman
550 Paracord
Compass
Repair Tape
Gorilla Tape
Sewing Kit
Rubber Bands
Paper Clips
Ziploc bags
Headlamp: Petzl Tikkina, with rechargeable battery
Flashight: Coast brand, with rechargeable battery
2 Inflatable Solar Lanterns: Luminaid
Work Gloves
Extra Batteries
Ear Plugs
Electronics
iPhone
Mp3 Player
2 64 GB flash drives
128 GB iPhone flash drive
Waterproof Speaker
Watch
3 Headphones
Extra Charging Cables
Clothing
5 T-shirts
2 Long sleeve shirts
1 Dress shirt
3 Pants: Kuhl Renegade Pant
4 Shorts: Wet/Dry shorts double as swim wear
1 Athletic Short
Down Sweater
Rain Jacket
12 Underwear: Uniqlo AIRism
5 Socks: Smartwool!
Chacos
Hiking Shoes
Soccer Shoes
Baseball Cap
5 Buffs (double as scarves, beanies, wristband, headband, face shield, dew rag, towel, awesome)
Belt
Sunglasses
Toiletries
REI mini shower bag
Scissors
Comb
Nail Clippers
Tweezers
2 Toothbrush: 1 travel toothbrush
Toothpaste
Soap
Deodorant
Floss
Travel Towel: Sea to Summit
Bandaids
Moleskin
Lip Balm
Q-tips
Medical Tape
General Drugs (stomach, allergy, cold relief)
Miscellaneous
5 Journals
Pens
Pencils
Highlighters
Erasers
Travel Bible
4 Books
1L Nalgene water bottle
Alliant credit card
Dryer sheets
Frisbee
2 Passport Holders (one in daypack, one hidden in the large pack)
Extra Passport Photos
I.D. and Document Copies
Jump rope
Large plastic bags
A Smile
Sense of Adventure
