Packing Light

This will be post is still in progress and will be completed around mid April 2012, mainly because there is one or two things I need to get/test before I complete the list and take photos….

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I consider myself to be a survival minimalist. Over the years I have refined my belongings in the idea of having less stuff to achieve more. Isnt it ironic that I have continually bought things in an effort to have less. Anyway, this post is basically going to be an inventory of everything I own whilst travelling (If I plan on staying somewhere for a while I may buy a few extras, but they are discarded once I move on again.) The items in this list sees me through everything from the tropics to a Northern English winter (the coldest climate i’ve been in so far), and even light/emergency *camping.

*If you need more than this then you are probably going on some sort of expedition eg you need a warmer sleeping bag if going to base camp Everest. Or doing some specialist sport eg snowboarding. In this case, unless you plan to use it often, hire any specialist gear.

70L Hiking Pack – With Rain cover and side pockets
Pack Liner
Rain Cover
Microfibre inner liner

Clothes
Raincoat (not gortex, but windproof and waterproof. In my experience, gortex and similar materials are expensive, heavy, and not comfortable on the skin. Other jackets will protect you from the weather just as well)
Windstopper
Fleece?
1 x Thermal top
1 x ‘Buswalking’ top (Also use when exercising in colder climates)
2 x T-shirts
2 x singlets
Waterproof pants (that you can put on without taking off your shoes)
2 x Jeans
1 x Zip off pants (Quick dry)
1 x Thermal pants
2 x Board shorts
Socks. 4-7 pairs, thick and/or thin depending on climate
Shoes Merral barefoot. Very lightweight and quick drying. Useful for outdoor sports eg hiking and rockclimbing. Not good in the cold, but are the best shoes I’ve ever owned
Shoes. For casual wear/Going out
Flip Flops
2 x Boxer shorts
Snood (similar to a buff)
Sunglasses
Swimming Goggles
Mouthguard – not in picture, accidently left them in US, will pick them up next time round
MMA Gloves – not in picture, accidently left them in US, will pcik them up next time round

Electronics and Spares – In a dry sack
Shavers
Batteries
Elastic Bands
Zip Lock Bags
Pocket Translator
Phone Charger
USB to Mains Converter
Universal Adapter
Paperwork/Bankcards etc
Spare Foreign Currency
Pens, Pencils, eraser, sharpener
Zip ties
Hoochie Cord
Sewing Kit
Super Glue
Hidden Wallet/Bum Bag Thing

Cheese cloth: Cooking Utensils
MSR Pocket Rocket (Gas Stove)
Gas – If I think I’ll need it
Light My Fire Utensils Set
FRED

Toiletries
Toothbrush
ToothPaste
Condoms
Shavers
Shaving Gel
Roll On Deoderant
Body Wash
Flannel
Moisturiser
Nail Clipper

Survival Kits
Pocket Knife

Of a medium size with a good grip. One that you can open and close with one hand. Not spring Loaded! With fine and serated blade. I have the one where the link leads you.

Survival Keyring – which is also an effective weapon when held by the flint stick and swung at attackers face.
Whistle
Mini Led Torch
Mini Compass. I’ve stuck it onto a bit of a beer coaster. It must be able to be removed from the keyring easily because the metal objects may effect its accuracy
Magnesium stick/flint
Cord (wrapped around the magnesium stick)
Keys

I thought about attaching a little pocket knife to it, but without it I can get it onto planes. Besides, I carry my pocket knife everywhere anyway (except planes of course)

Survival Keyring and Pocket Knife

Urban Survival Kit – Plane friendly
Tobacco Tin – Polish the underside of the lid to double as a signal mirror
Toilet Paper
$50usd (the most widely recognised currency in the world)
Alcohol Swabs
Fixamol
Band-aids
Condom
Savlon
Lip Balm
Mini Compass
Spare key(s)
Ibuprofen
Tylanol
Benadryl
Non Drowsy allergy tabs
Dramamine
Anti-Diarreah

*Note. This is an urban survival kit, which denotes that you have access to drug stores or your first aid kit if needed. The things in this kit are more for convienience, but when combined with your pocket knife and survival keyring, you are pretty prepared.

Wilderness Survival Kit (Includes First Aid Kit)
Dry Sack
Everything is kept seperated into groups for easy idenification

Survival Tin – Doubles as a cooking pot
Note: Everything has more than one purpose. I list multi purpose ideas beside each item, but they are not limited to that. Your imagination is the limit.
Zip lock bags – Waterproofing, water collection, blisterproofing
SAS Survival Guide by John Wiseman (Pocket Edition)
. Information, paper to write on, fire
Condom – Water bladder, fire starting, safe sex
Hoochie Cord – so many uses!
Wire Saw – saw, snare wire
Fishing Kit (Hook, sinker, line) – Fishing, sewing, snare wire, cord
Sewing kit – sewing, compass
Scalple Blades – so many uses!
Lighter – fire, fishing
Zip Ties – snare wire, fixing stuff
Silva Compass – ok, I probably wouldnt use this for anything else, but its a compass!
Safety Pins – fast fix, medical use
Pencil – writing, fire
Survival Blanket – Shelter, medical use, raincoat, signalling, getting water, waterproofing
Sharpening Stone

Medical Kit
Fixamol
LipBalm
Vet Wrap
Toilet Paper
Safety Pins
Strapping Tape
Roller Bandage
Assorted Bandaids (including butterfly)
Savlon/Anteseptic
Cotton Buds
Gloves
Gauze
Ibuprofen
Tylanol
Benadryl
Non Drowsy allergy tabs
Dramamine
Anti-Diarreah
Cold and Flu
Condoms
Notebook
Wild Med Field Guide
Personal Medication
Environment Specific Meds eg Maleria Tablets
If going to non-developed or rural areas I would also take various anti-biotics.

When actually travelling ie plane etc I take my daypack on board with the following
Water Bottle (filled after security)
Laptop and Charger
Phone
Lighter (may get asked to throw it away)
Survival Keyring
MP3 player
Money
Food
Urban Survival Kit
Any meds I may want
Small Toiletries Bag (Toothbrush, toothpaste, deoderant, flannel)
Mints

The only things I consider adding to this list is a sleeping bag and hiking boots, but they are bulky and heavy.

I know at the start I said I considered myself to be a survival minimalist. Well obviusly this isn’t 100% true because I actually have quite a lot of stuff. A true survivalist would be able to survive without any of this stuff. Sure, even just having the survival keyring and pocket knife would give you a massive head start, but knowledge is the real key to survival. Everything else is just a bunch of tools to help you, and then there is comfort, and then there is convienience. But travelling isnt about being a survivalist. Its true that packing light makes it a lot easier to move about, but you don’t want to sacrifice things that make life easier, trust me, I’ve been there. I feel that this list is the happy medium.. for me anyway.