The List

I'm not normally a person to put together a list but with all the things everyone has told me to take (from a kettle for two minute noodles to travel sewing kits) I thought it might be a good idea to make a list of all the things i'll need to take. That way i can cross the things i don't absolutely need off.

So with out further ado, here is my list:

1 x Backpack (won't get very far without one of these, so i finally took the plunge and got one today) - $359 for a Gemini MacPack - 70lt (inc 25lt day pack). I tried it out straight after i got it by using it to carry the week's groceries. I have a feeling i'm going to grow to hate it...

1 x hiking shoes - $200 for a pair of G5 XCR Raichle, complete with Gore-Tek (a waterproofing technology) and Vibram grip.

One week supply of "jocks and socks" and 3 x t-shirts

1 x soft shell top and waterproof jacket - soft shell hooks into the waterproof jacket when it gets cold AND wet, otherwise i can just wear the jacket when its not cold but wet or just wear the soft shell when its not wet but cold...

1 x zip-off pants - will be wearing these for the whole trip i think so you'll see plenty of the pants in the photos i'll upload

One pair of jeans and a collared button up shirt - for those "classier" occasions such as dropping money in Las Vegas. Was going to take a pair of leather shoes as well but i'll buy a pair in Argentina since it will be relatively cheap and save me from carrying a little bit of weight for a week or so.

1 x one litre bottle - very light water bottle made of some sort of alloy. I picked a one litre bottle because the iodine tablets for purifying water clean one litre of water per tablet.

2 x combination locks approved by US customs - to lock up the backpack going thru the US. Allows the US customs people to check inside the bag without cutting the bag open (which i've been told happens)

1 x cable combination lock - to lock up the backpack around poles in hotels/hostels.

1 x beanie and 1 x gloves

1 x medicine pack - between the two of us

1 x tolietries caddy - to hang behind the door or off the shower

1 x soft folder - to put accommodation and entertainment vouchers in

1 x south america lonely planet guide - minus the content for countries we're not going to (every gram counts)

1 x mp3 player - important when you can't be bothered talking to your travelling companion (which i'ld imagine might happen sooner rather than later...sorry jas!)

Other things to get (which i haven't got yet) are:

1 x Digital SLR camera - looking at getting the new Sony Alpha - 10 megapixel for photos you can blow up to poster size. I'm thinking a shot of machu pichu at dawn in my room might be a nice scene to wake up to.

1 x compact flash to USB converter - so that i can upload some pics to blog via the "latte system"