Well, this is really outstanding, jags, and I do so appreciate seeing what you take and where it all goes. Packing is a never-ending learning process for me, and while I have a scheme that is largely stable, I always do make some minor changes after every trip. I now know pretty much what I will need for a certain kind of trip, and that helps make the process faster and -- hopefully -- means I am less likely to leave home something I will desperately need. <-- That right there is a big concern for me, because there is just no way to replace something once I get Out There. So far, so good.
I also make it a practice to police my camp before leaving to make sure I haven't left anything behind. That's what usually gets me. Last trip, I was packing in the half-light of dawn (4:40AM) and I heard a "plop" in the gray desert playa. I knew,
knew in my heart I should have stopped right there until I could figure out what went missing and start a still hunt for it, but noooooo, I didn't. I continued on with my packing, much to my eventual regret. My usual scheme is to get a good 20mi/32km+ in before stopping for breakfast, and I guess that thought drove me onward. It wasn't till a good mile/1.6km down the road it struck me -- no eyeglass mirror. Now, I really depend on that thing (it keeps me from getting into trouble, the helmet helps if I do) especially when the noise of traveling on gravel will mask the sound of a closing vehicle. So, what to do? Go back, of course, but...where? I stealth camp, and make sure I leave no trace of my entry/exit from the road. Fortunately, I had set a GPS waypoint to mark my camp. Once there, it was hands-and-knees time for the duration of the search, sifting the talc-fine soil till I unearthed the mirror. Actually, I was amazed I found it again, even if it did mean sifting about three square meters of soil (yes, it was covered by the blowing talc-like playa, so wasn't on the surface. Everything was the same, dusty-gray silty stuff).
A similar thing happened when I laid my bike over at a water-and-bathroom break on the gravel road going through northern Nevada's Cotton Canyon. My Blackburn Stop-Block (used to keep my front brake shut at stops) slipped its tether from where I had draped it around the brake hood (how? I'll never know when it had been fine for countless years of similar stops). Gone. I went back five miles that time, looking. Gone. Man, what an empty feeling, especially when you need every.single.thing. you're carrying. I found a small stick of juniper that worked as a substitute for awhile before it splintered, then finally a small, flattish-rounded pebble that I stored in my jersey pocket where it could scratch my compass.
It was a hard day. It was a real blessing to get to camp that night, and even moreso when I removed my front pannier and heard a "plop" sound on the playa. You bet I checked! There was the Stop-Block, where it must've fallen when I tlted the bike upright from the stop nearly a full day earlier. I can't imagine how it rode so many miles on rough roads without falling off. I decided enough was enough and threaded the tether through the slots in my brake lever blade and never had a problem thereafter.
You do have to make one last check before breaking camp, and listen to that little voice that says, "Hey, Bud...y'lost something. Really!". Usually, it's my mind, but sometimes it's something important.
jags. check the camp before you set out in the morning, 'kay? It's no fun coming back to a hands-and-knees hunt that might not prove successful.
my granddaughter found my panniers today in my hallway and before i new it she empty ed the intire contents out (Hey grand dad look what i found
Your granddaughter is a tourist in the making, jags! Grampa has good stuff!
I really like how you've divided things into categories like you're furnishing a house. I do that too, and it makes it so much easier to make sure all the "systems" are intact and you have what you need.
I sure like the stove setup you're using, but sadly have found gas cylinders won't work for me where I go...there's no replacements, I'd have to carry too many, and carrying the empties to dispose of properly would be a problem. They sure do work well in Europe and your area, though! Me? I have the best luck with white gas (Coleman fuel) for most use, then refill in remote areas using automotive unleaded petrol as needs be. The alcohol stove and enough spare fuel for three meals is my backup and weighs nothing (stove is .75oz/21g). It's a matter of going with what works best for your area, and jags...nothing beats cannister fuel for a nice, even, reliable flame. Just like the gas range at home and no worries about flares or spilled fuel or odor. Nice!
The kettle is really nice for boiling water, and is one of the most efficient ways to do so...not to mention a great way to avoid burns, thanks to the handle and pour spout. Do you make your own dry meals for "freezer bag cooking"? After years, I went that route and have been very happy. Just dump your soup stock and dried veggies in a zip-top freezer bag (the freezer type handle heat better) and add boiling water. Reseal and slip the lot into a Reflectix (aluminized mylar bubble wrap) cozy and let it sit for 5 minutes. Presto! Dinner's ready. I usually add some canned or pouch meat, chicken, fish, or turkey/beef dried jerky to the mix to make it a bit more hearty. Best thing? No dishes to clean, and the empty freezer bag makes a dandy little trash sack for disposal at the next available receptacle.
.class bike
and the pilot aint so bad either
Boy, I'll say; right on both counts!
Real good choice on the clothing. If I may offer a suggestion: Try a synthetic "dry-shirt" in place of the cotton t-shirts. The wicking fabric will keep you drier and is more breathable than cotton. Plus, they rinse out and dry quickly and look factory-fresh afterward with no wrinkles. Mine have worked so well, I've forsworn cotton for the wicking synthetics. Off-bike, I've had really good luck with lightweight synthetic cargo pants with zip-off legs; one garment doubles as two. Instead of trunks, I've gone for lightweight cargo shorts with a mesh liner brief so they double as swim trunks if needed. Ex Officio is a great brand for these two, and often come on big sales when the seasons change. I've had good luck with these:
http://www.sierratradingpost.com/exofficio-nio-amphi-short-upf-30-plus--for-men~p~4037c/?filterString=s~ex-officio%2F&colorFamily=01 ...and...
http://www.sierratradingpost.com/exoffico-super-nio-amphi-convertible-pants-upf-30-plus--for-men~p~4041y/?filterString=s~ex-officio%2F&colorFamily=04barbag
...camera (maybe)
<-- jags! Y'gotta take a camera! We wanna see piccies after!
tissues severl pk used for toilet paper as well.
Best thing I've ever found for it! I am also a paper hoarder. If I go into a restaurant, I take the paper napkin (and a spare or two) with me when I leave. I also take a square or two off the toilet-tissue roll in the restroom, but never more than that. When you're really out in the remotest of the remote, there's a food chain for paper: Dinner napkin ->handkerchief -> toilet paper. That's three uses for each. Four, if you need it to start a fire, but that comes before Three in the list above.
If you go with a roll, be sure to step on it so it is flat or at least a squashed oval. You'll thank yourself when when you drop it and it doesn't immediately roll out of arm's reach, trailing half the roll behind it.
The rain gear sounds spot-on...have you ever considered a helmet cover? It does wonders for also breaking the wind on cold mornings and doubles as a hood when puttering about camp in a pouring rain if the jacket has no hood. I've slept in my helmet cover on occasion (sans helmet) as a way to boost head temp when the thermometer dips toward -17 on cold nights.
Tools sound comprehensive for where you'll be going, and I wouldn't expect to need more except perhaps some way to remove the cassette, carried among your party. The spokes that fail are usually on the right-rear, and that's where the cassette is in the way. Alternatively, a couple z-shaped spokes or a FiberFix spoke substitute will get 'round the problem of having the cassette in the way of the hub flange.
All told, it looks really good to me, jags. Just about everything you need and nothing you don't, so I'd say you hit it right on the money. Outstanding (low) weight for the kit you're carrying. Ortlieb bags aren't the lightest in the world all by themselves, so you're doing really well to come in at the weight you are. Good on you!
Thanks so much for sharing...
Best,
Dan.
