Below is Tina, partially loaded, on which I'm doing the (very short) commute to work. That's with tent, sleeping bag, roll mat, pot, stove etc, but no front panniers or food & water. Weighed in at 25kg, and counting.....eish!
PACKING LIST:
- One man tent made by Mountain Research Company, lent to me by one Steven Taylor. Let's hope I return it in one piece as he knows how to hurt people. Don't let his tiny size fool you!
- Sea to Summit Pro-lite air mattress. Surprisingly comfortable, if not a little on the short side.
- MSR Dragonfly multifuel stove. This chap, apart from being very expensive, will burn just about anything. Forums suggest using gin gives a particularly nice flavour to your food. I need to learn how to use it, but apparently it's top-drawer (and it bloody ought to be).
- Pair of Crosso Dry 30ltr panniers. These are known as the poor man's Ortlieb. Made in Poland and nice and basic. I've heard the wet/bin-bag look is all the rage in touring these days, so I should be bang on trend (touring is generally about 10 years behind standard leggings fashion).
- Carradice front bag. Made up North (by adults, don't worry) and this will house my most treasured possessions.
- Altura Arran front panniers. Not as sturdy as the Crossos so will take stuff like food and water.
- Knives. I can't really decide which to take. I think it will be a leatherman as pliers will likely be useful as I've just got my bush dentistry qualification. Then a proper knife for chopping stuff up - I have a good Buck one that has a gutting hook, which is more usefully employed for opening beers.
- Sea to Summit fancy pot. Got a sexy pot with metal base and silicon sides which collapses and makes packing easier.
- Arkel solar panel. I decided that it was too much money and hassle to run a dynamo hub, so went with solar instead. I also have a couple of battery packs which should keep me powered up.
- Electronics: iphone, garmin 820, kindle, digital camera, headtorch
- Cycling gear: I'll take a helmet, and have super sexy spd sandals. Other than that, I'll be in normal gear - just shorts and merino t shirt or my bush shirt from Craghoppers. That has the advantage of covering the old arms when it's really hot, and also has built-in midge protection. Will also sling a waterproof in there.
- Clothing: not much is going to make the cut. 1 pair of trousers, maybe some trainers, or maybe crocs, merino jumper, sun hat, pair of casual shorts. That's it I think. Oh and some pants, although I usually forget to pack these.
- Camp stool for braiing comfort, water bag (4ltr) in case long way between the wells, a couple of utensils and spices to make rice/pasta taste of something.
- First aid kit and toiletries. I shan't bore you with these details as I don't know what I'm taking yet. Probably light on both counts but there is a fairly high risk of illness so will see how much of the pharmacy I take with me. Sun cream, toothbrush, mozzie repellent are essential.
- Miscellaneous: washing line, safety pins, duct tape, zip ties, ziploc bags, and bike spares will make up the rest of it I think.