Inventory

Welcome to my possessions for three weeks of travel. Everything fit into my daypack, which was just barely at the limit of carry-on luggage. Coming home to a full closet was an indulgent luxury, and a realization that much of what I own isn’t necessary – and I’m a minimalist.

Keep in mind, this all fit in this pack.

I carried or wore:

• daypack (top loading Mountainsmith, so a broken zipper wouldn’t matter)
• wallets (1 for US, 1 for UK)
• passport (duh)
• maps (various picked up along the way for free at tourist kiosks)
• notepad (especially with a storage pouch in the back)
• pens (3, used one until a rainy day, and then I switched)
• camera (Nikon Coolpix point and shoot)
• hiking boots (worn every day)
• sandals (worn every afternoon and evening)
• socks (3 pair, got ankle rash for a few days, should do more laundry)
• underwear (3, and sure enough one pair died)
• t-shirts (2, alternated as a solo layer or under a shirt or jacket)
• shirts (2, 1 for walking, 1 for evening flights, and backup)
• turtle neck (only used for after walking and as backup)
• zip cargo pants (2 pair, never worn as shorts because of weather and decorum)
• belts (2, used one, neither needed notches, waist size changed in three weeks)
• handkerchiefs (5, oops, I overpacked)
• rain pants (used frequently, full length side zips were handy)
• rain hat (Seattle Sombrero, worn every day except one)
• rain jacket (lightweight, reflective, bicycle style)
• fleece jacket (Will, thanks for the Christmas present)
• fleece hat (lightweight, only used in cold rooms for sleeping)
• fleece hat w/brim (used once, could’ve been used more often)
• gloves (2 pair, used one pair once or twice, pockets sufficed)
• headlamp (only used as a nightlight)
• sunglasses (used rarely, but necessary)
• reading glasses (2 pair in cases, lost 1 pair)
• watch (2, 1 wrist, 1 hiker’s w/ compass)
• compass (used more than I expected, especially on foggy days)
• SD cards (3, used less than one 2 Gig card)
• carabiner (handy for hanging compass)
• office clips (utility for bag closures, clothes pins, paper corral)
• water bottle (collapsible, which was easier to fit into small sinks)
• sleeping shell (thin nylon for lightweight blanket indoors and emergency bag for bivouac)
• spare storage bags (zip locks and drawstring, supplemented with shopping bags)
• AA batteries (for camera, flashlight,)
• handi-wipes (you never know when there won’t be soap)
• towel (carried for me, but used to dry clothes)
• car key (used to drive home after a friend dropped off my car in a convenient spot)

Never used (but would carry anyway)

• checkbook (emergency backup)
• pencils (2)
• whistle (emergency)
• string (good for so many things)
• space blanket (best guard against hypothermia)
• foam pad (a little comfort if the world was too hard)
• USB key (mobile home computer backup)
• first aid kit (devoid of anything TSA might not like)
• flashlight (mini backup)

And, yes, that all fit in one medium backpack. Despite that long list I would find room for a few other items.

I should have carried:

• AAA batteries (for weak TV remotes if nothing else)
• pedometer (no guessin about mileage and bragging rights)
• more business cards (an easy way to pass along contact information)
• big waterproof bag (eventually I found a dry cleaning bag for the worst rainy days)
• detailed city maps (tourist maps may not be good for navigating unless it is to a tourism site)
• smart phone (even if I had to rent one, it would have saved a lot of guessing)