Packed for Europe

         

We’ve gotten our travel gear together and I think we’re finally ready to embark on our incredibly long journey. All I have left for possessions are carefully rolled up, folded, and stuffed into my hiking backpack. Everything else has been sold, given away, or left behind. No more Xbox. There goes my sword collection. I’m sure Ashleigh’s going to miss all her dresses and shoes. But what a pain it would be if we had to lug wheeled suitcases across, say, the Scottish Highlands; it’s just not sensible. So, trying to be as minimalist as possible, we’ve carefully selected practical articles of clothing and a few personal items. We also have our camping gear: our tent, sleeping bags, tarps, etc. as camping will be a major part of our trip, and even though it may weigh us down I think it will get a lot of use.

If anybody is interested in ever going on an extended backpacking/hiking trip, we’ve spread out all of our gear and written a list for you to look at to perhaps give you some ideas.

Nathanael's Gear
Nathanael’s Gear

*Starting from top, left to right

Nathanael:

  • hiking pack
  • wide brimmed hat
  • coat
  • sweater
  • sleeping bag
  • tent
  • two pairs of jeans
  • long johns (tops)
  • shorts
  • four t-shirts
  • running shoes
  • netbook computer
  • wool socks
  • long johns (bottoms)
  • notebook
  • scarf
  • small backpack
  • tarps
  • passport
  • cards
  • knife
  • multitool
  • small folding saw
  • battery charger
  • LED flashlight
  • small cooking pot
  • harmonica
  • french press coffeemaker/tea
  • GPS
  • pipe and tobacco
Ashleigh's Gear
Ashleigh’s Gear

Ashleigh:

  • Hiking backpack
  • air mattress
  • sleeping bag
  • rain gear top and bottom
  • coat
  • hiking boots
  • sweater
  • pajamas
  • five shirts/four tank-tops
  • 3 pairs of pants/ long johns
  • running shoes
  • small backpack
  • scarf/mits/touque
  • journals
  • travel guides
  • Nintendo DS/KOBO reader
  • socks
  • water bottle
  • flashlight
  • water purifiers
  • towel
  • collapsible bowl
  • tarp/waterproof bag
  • bathing suit

Once our trip begins we may find we’re carrying too much gear, or maybe we’ll find it’s not enough, but it’s all part of the learning curve. This is our first major trip (longer than a month) so I’m sure we’ll discover new ways to pack more efficiently. I think it’s better to try not to worry about every little detail. We’ll be like water: adaptable, on a path that’s unpredictable.

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