Journey with Christina

After about four-months in I can honestly say that there really wasn’t anything major that we wished we had with us. In fact, we were grateful we only had 50-liter packs and always looking for things to eliminate. The only major thing we changed out is that we both did not like our choice of day-packs. I have never really been a backpack person but I do feel they are much more comfortable if you need to wear one all day. But the constant taking it off and putting it back on was so annoying. I switched to a black light-weight Patagonia tote that converts into a backpack. I have two options and it is really comfortable. Plus, if I can ever get down to one bag it folds up into its own inside zippered pocket.

Jon purchased a giant green 32-liter osprey with great back support. Little overkill but he really likes the pack. We sent our other packs home with Kyle and my brother.

Below is an updated list now that we are four months in with some notes on items.

Packs and bags:

2 50-liter (Osprey Aura and Atamos)

2 Sea to Summit convertible duffels (acts as a rain-cover and also as a duffle for our backpacks for travel) – These have been fantastic to have

1 15-liter Osprey daylight pack – replaced with a Patagonia convertible tote

1 10-liter Osprey Hydration pack – replaced with a 32-liter Osprey – and small first aid kit

1 Small cross body purse (fits in daypack) – this has been fantastic for keeping personal items close to me and for when I only need necessities.

5 Flight 001 packing cubes (two for clothing, one for undergarments, one for miscellaneous items and one toiletry case) – best purchase, even Jon loves them for keeping organized and easy packing

1 10-liter dry bag

 

Clothing Me:

3 Tank Tops (two bra tops)

2 Short sleeve tops (one an unsinkable one from Athleta)

2 Long sleeve tops (one wool)

1 hooded SPF lightweight shirt – lost somewhere in the Amazon

5 bottoms (jeans, hiking, legging, lightweight pant and a black skort) – my hiking pants have taken a beating with both buttons falling off and a patch from a tear in the inside leg

3 2 Dresses (bra top sundress, short sleeve dress, long sleeve tunic dress) – The tunic dress was super cute but bulky and not practical for this type of trip so was sent home

1 Sarong that can be used as a skirt or as a dress in two different ways

2 Fleece Thermal (top and bottom) – been using as pj’s in the colder weather

1 Long sleepshirt

1 Lole light ¾ sleeve coat – should send this home but it’s the only item I have to dress things up a bit

1 Fleece

1 Raincoat

1 Packable down coat (also converts into a pillow)

7 pairs of quick-dry underwear – all different styles

4 Bras – Convertible, sports, soft bralette, and a strapless bralette

5 Pairs of socks (3 hiking and 2 shorties)

1 reversible bathing suit with 2 bottoms

1 Infinity scarf

2 Hats (one lightweight baseball and one sunhat) – baseball hat replaced with a winter hat

1 Waterproof lightweight glove

4 Shoes – I could not help myself (Waterproof Hiking Boot, Anhu sneaker ballet flat, my trusty Madrid Birkenstocks and Crocs sexi flip flops)

Additional added Items:

2 Cotton T-shirts (one from the Inca Trail and one from Death Road)

2 Sweaters (one zipper llama and one pullover)

1 pair of mittens

 

Clothing Jonathan:

4 Short sleeve tops (all quick-dry)

2 1 Long sleeve tops (one wool – lost in Chillan or Easter Island)

1 Long-Sleeve Kuhl hiking shirt

1 hooded SPF lightweight shirt

5 bottoms (jeans, lightweight pant, convertible hiking, and two lightweight shorts) – Might be needing an update as some are so big now

1 Thermal bottom

1 Fleece

1 Raincoat

1 Waterproof pant (can also be used as a sleep/lounge pant – he absolutely insisted on these because he does not like being wet)

1 Packable down coat (also converts into a pillow)

7 pairs of quick-dry underwear

1 Belt

5 Pairs of socks (3 hiking and 2 shorties) – has lost a few and added a few

1 Sunhat – lost original and replaced

1 Waterproof lightweight glove

3 Shoes – Asolo Waterproof Hiking Boot, Keen waterproof sneaker, and Oefos Slides

Additional added Items:

2 Cotton T-shirts (one from the Inca Trail and one from Death Road although he somehow ended up with Kyles M Inca Trail shirt instead of his XL)

2 Sweaters (one llama and one zipper)

2 winter hats

1 baseball cap

 

Electronics:

1 14-inch tablet with keyboard and armor cover

2 Cameras, one DSL with two lenses and one waterproof

1 Mini-Tablet

2 Unlocked phones (one IPhone and one Android) – The android is still with us but it has been broken since almost the beginning of the trip

1 Spot satellite tracker (a gift from my uber cool brother)

1 fit-bit – sent home and replaced with a waterproof watch for Jon

1 Small electric shaver (for haircuts for Jon as well)

1 Cheap waterproof watch

1 Adapter

1 headphones

1 Small binoculars – sent home

Plus, all cords and chargers in a small bag to go along with above

 

Miscellaneous:

2 Microfiber Towels

2 Sleep-sheets (Can be zipped together)

1 Steripen

2 Headlamps

2 Sporks

2 Sunglasses – mine have been replaced twice and I am currently looking for a third

2 Filtered water bottles – sent home, as Jon put it he felt like a gerbil trying to get water from the thing

2 1 Collapsible water bottles – lost one

1 Small packable bag for groceries, laundry, etc. – super handy

3 5 Books (Guide book for south America and two books) – we added New Zealand and Australia

1 Journal

 

Toiletries:

Disclaimer on this one the bag is massive (for a 50-liter pack) and Jon made me remove several items, all of which I needed of course. All items are travel size unless noted. Items below replaced as needed

2 Shampoo (each our own brand)

1 Conditioner

1 Bar of soap in a plastic baggie, Jon made me get rid of the case – thank god added case, do you know how gross soap gets in a plastic baggie

2 Full size deodorant

1 Facewash

1 Moisturizer with sunblock

1 Regular (small) size body lotion

1 Regular size toothpaste

1 Mouthwash

2 Toothbrush

1 Retainer case and retainers – lost retainer case

1 Small package Q-tips

1 Nail clipper with file

1 Tweezer

1 Floss and bag of floss sticks (one of Jon’s must haves) – did not find floss sticks in South America so Jon is making due with regular floss

1 Half of a foot-scrub (another one of Jon’s great ideas that I did not need the whole thing) – got rid of, too hard to transport while wet although I wish I still had

1 Small bottle of nail polish and remover pads

1 Hair pomade

1 Comb and fold out brush

2 Roll-On Perfumes (Tocca – my favorite)

1 Mascara and small make-up book

3 Carmex lip gloss (Jon originally made me take out 2 but I snuck them back in) – finally ran out

1 Small bottle of hydrogen peroxide (miracle in a bottle)

2 Sunblock – I am as white as can be

2 Bug spray

1 package of wet-wipes

Enough prescriptions and vitamins to start our own pharmacy