Gear

This may have been one of my most critical purchases.  Only time will tell if I made the right decision.  I was torn between this pack and a more backpacker-style pack.  I realized my style of travel would have me mainly staying in cities or small towns, and most hiking I do will not require me to carry all of my possessions on my back.  For a reasonable price, getting both the main pack and the day pack had me sold.  The main pack is 45 liters, and the day pack is 19 liters.  At 45 liters, it really forced me to pack light, and it was a much more reasonable fit for my short stature.

Note:  The first day of my trip, the small backpack was stolen in Quito.  I replaced it with a sturdy and lockable backpack.

I’ve had the D60, but I needed to get a better range of lenses for the trip.  I chose something with an all-encompassing zoom range to limit the number of times I’d have to switch out lenses.  Then I got a wide angle (anticipating the Torres del Paine shots) and a prime lens.  This set of equipment may be the most weight in my entire pack.

Women’s Merrell Moab Mid GORE-TEX Hiking Boots

I had trouble finding many styles of women’s hiking books in stores, so I ordered 4 pair online, and these were the most comfortable and sturdy, yet still lightweight.

I was intrigued by this bag because it is super light-weight, and it has three temperature configurations based on which side is up and reversibility.  Since I’ll be in warm weather the majority of the time I’m gone, I didn’t want to be weighted down by traditional 3-season bag.  Let’s hope I don’t get too cold in Patagonia.

Very compact and dries fast.  And the small mesh bag it comes in works very well to tote your shower supplies to the bathroom.

Very useful when in a shared dorm and trying to find things when the lights are off and everyone is sleeping. Also a necessity for trekking/ camping.  This one has multiple settings, including three levels of brightness and a flashing light, and the lamp can be adjusted up and down.

- iPod charger

- Camera battery charger

- Travel adapter

- Laptop power cord

- Camera cords to laptop cords

- Memory cards

- External flash

This is not a complete list, but it’s pretty close:

- Sterile syringes – I realize this may seem strange, but multiple sources suggested bringing a few sterile syringes because it is not uncommon for other countries to re-use. If you need to get a shot (e.g. a dog bites you and you need a rabies shot), you don’t want to take changes.

- Gauze pads, alcohol pads, band-aids, Neosporin, medical tape, iodine tablets

- Bug spray with lots of Deet

- Anti-malarial pills – I have malaria maps of each country I plan to visit.  If I am going to enter a malaria region, I start taking them two days before I get there.

- Altitude sickness pills – At a few places I plan to go, it is very common to experience altitude sickness.  I have heard from enough people that altitude sickness is no joke, and even if you’ve never had it before, it will most likely happen in South America.
- Antibiotics – Just in case.  Yes, I probably could get them from a pharmacy if needed, but it’s just as easy to take something with me that I know will work.  Also, I’m allergic to penicillin, so I’d rather not take any chances.

- Eagle Creek Silk Money Belt - It’s important to invest in a silk money belt because when you travel long distances, you will be wearing this and sweating on it for many hours at a time.
- Nylon patches, heavy-duty needles and thread – For repairs to my packs. Can be hard to come by when you really need them.

- Mini multi-tool  Note:  Confiscated by airport security becasue I was careless and forgot it was in my carry-on flying from Mexico City to Guatemala.  NOT REPLACED

- Mini clothesline

- Flat rubber sink stopper – For when I have to hand-wash clothes in a large sink at the hostel
- Safety pins, rubber bands, paper clips, duct tape, scotch tape

- Laundry detergent – I knew I could get this there, but I found these really cool strips that are in a packet that looks like dental floss. You use 5 strips (they look like those breath-freshening strips that used to be popular) for a load of laundry.
- Compass/ whistle/ thermometer combination tool to attach to my day pack – When you get off a train or bus and are not sure which direction is North, this will be handy. Of course, the whistle is for safety.  And the thermometer will come in handy when I find it impossible to convert Celcius temperatures. Note:  Stolen my first day of the trip.   NOT REPLACED
- 2 Nalgene bottles  Note:  One was stolen my first day of the trip.  NOT REPLACED

- 1 North Face Khumbu Fleece Jacket – One of the smartest purchases I made.  This has kept me warm on many chilly nights, and the zip pockets and inside, hidden pockets are great for avoiding pickpockets.
- 2 pair jeans – I should really only bring one pair, but I’m a girl
- 1 pair black dressier pants - Note:  I ended up sending these back with a friend.
- 1 pair “jungle pants” – Basically, hiking pants that zip off into shorts
- 1 pair shorts
- 2 short-sleeve t-shirts
- 1 long-sleeve cardigan
- 1 long-sleeve t-shirt
- 2 tank tops + 2 very thin tank tops to layer under
- 1 light cotton skirt
- 1 pair running shoes, 2 pair running shorts, 2 pair running socks – I’m a freak about working out, so I had to make this stuff fit.
- 2 pair lightweight wool socks
- 10 pair of underwear – I know this is probably too much, but I’m not willing to skimp here.

- 2 bathing suits
- 1 pashmina
- 2 bandanas
- 1 hat
- 1 lightweight water-proof jacket  Note:  Stolen the first day of my trip.  NOT REPLACED.  Bought a cheap poncho.

Bought along the way…

- 1 pair black tights
- 1 black sweater
- 1 pair dress shoes – A necessity for salsa dancing
- 1 very ugly beach towel