Adventures in Packing (how to load a backpack)
22. Jun, 2009 
23 Comments 
Packing! from Jessica Reeder on Vimeo.
Let’s get one thing out of the way: I’m a pack rat. Always have been. But somehow over the past couple of years, I managed to pare my “necessary” belongings down to what I can carry on my back.
Still, it’s too much! I can’t walk far with all this weight. Even after dumping all my winter clothes (some of the stuff in that video didn’t end up making the cut), my pack is big enough that old guys comment on it. For some reason, it’s always the old guys.
“That’s a heck of a pack,” they say, smirking.
“Tell me about it,” I usually reply, feeling a mix of resentment and shame (note: old guys never help you with your pack, either).
To be honest, I’m proud of myself. I’ve got a house, bed, kitchen and full closet on my back, thank you. And I’m getting better at this all the time. I repeat to myself over and over the lesson I’m working on:
“My greatest skill in life has been to want but little.” – Thoreau
I supplement that with this passage from Rolf Potts’ book Vagabonding: An Uncommon Guide to the Art of Long-Term World Travel, my current bible:
[A] small pack, of course, will allow you only the minimum: a guidebook, a pair of sandals, standard hygiene items, a few relevant medicines (including sunscreen), disposable earplugs (for those inevitable noisy environments), and a few gifts for your future hosts and friends. Add a few changes of simple, functional clothes and one somewhat nice outfit for customs checks and social occasions. Toss in a good pocketknife, a small flashlight, a decent pair of sunglasses, a day pack… and an inexpensive camera. And then—looking down to make sure you have a sturdy pair of boots or walking shoes on your feet—close the bag and affix a small, strong padlock.
Would that I were already in Asia, so I could stay in hotels like Rolf Potts does! But I’m in America, and so I’m still carrying a tent. Too, I brought extra clothes so I can throw them away as they wear out. And a laptop so I can entertain y’all (though I traded in my heavy 15-incher for an Asus 1000he). And, okay, a rubber chicken (The Navigator).
I can carry it all, and I do. And every place I go I leave some worn out, used-up or unneccessary item behind… By the time I get through Central America, I’ll be packing lean. For now, I’m still a rat.
But at least I’m a rat in summer clothes!
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Wow, girl, that’s some knockout packing skill you got there! Do a recap when everything gets leaner…
when you are planning on central america? i’m planning on peru and neighboring lands over my winter break. it would be quite amazing to meet you on your travels.
In Asia the best thing about travelling light is that you can buy anything you need really cheaply. New clothes from the markets are so cheap that you just replace them as they wear out and the climate is much less varied so you don’t need so many changes. A friend of mine travelled from Nepal to Australia for 6 months and her pack was a 30l daypack. My 65l pack saw me hiking around the himalayas for 2 months, though were I to do that again I’d still take less.
It’s great watching your travels and the things you’re doing, good luck with the rest of the trip. If you end up in England and need a place to stay near London, do get in touch.
Cheers,
J.
More on packing light:
http://chrisguillebeau.com/3×5/packing-list/
http://www.onebag.com/
Hi Jessica,
I’m the old guy who commented on her pack and didn’t offer to help! You should do a blog on how to be a good house guest, because you are.
Great job on the video. And I certainly think you overdid it on the packing.
Totally awesome video! I always love reading/watching your posts. Most excellent.
I had problems before of light packing… The worst one was that the next stop was about 40 miles! next time, i’ll go research and go to Baraaza.com for more info on the areas I go to…
Lovely Packing Darling!
I like this post, cool video on how to pack things for traveling. Hope that other tourists like me will appreciate this post.
Nice one! Having some hard time in figuring out my backpack’s loads, this one’s sure a help!
A very interesting blog post. What would you say was the most common problem?
Will do
YES!! That would be incredible. I’m thinking winter. Plans are nebulous and Peru is farther south than I’d been envisioning, but we’ll be in the same part of the world… so YES. We’ll make it work. Hooray.
Thanks Justin! And yeah, I’m really looking forward to the packing-light phase. Just a few months away.
I likely won’t end up in Europe for about another year, but if I find myself stranded I’ll definitely let you know. Thank you very, very much for the offer!
Nice, thank you!
Ha! You weren’t the guy(s) I had in mind actually… but tsk tsk! Just kidding, you were an awesome host across the board.
sweet! i’m planning on making my plans solid mid-july after a friend of mine gets back from that neck of the woods (i plan to use her knowledge to help me with my planning) so i’ll keep you in the loop.
..and to clarify…making the plans july for a winter trip.
PERFECT.