Backpacking – The ExhaustNotes Blog

By Mike Huber

Traveling and living mostly off my BMW GS1250 for the past six years has really taught me how to live in a minimalistic way, but travel with enough to be comfortable. It is a rarity that I need anything more than what I have. My organizational skills are honed to the point that I know where everything I own is at all times. Everything has a specific place and keeping items consistent with their location is key to organization. I can get out of my tent at 2:00 a.m. and know not only which pannier any given item is located, but the exact location within that pannier. It’s an art form that I take pride in. So you can imagine if things are flipped upside down and I am pushed into a new packing routine how it would take time to readjust my mindset to a new format.

This is exactly the place I have found myself in now. Beginning January 10^th I am converting from a motorcyclist to a backpacker as I begin a trip to Oceania for an unknown period of time. Auckland, New Zealand will be my starting point and a 50 Litre Osprey Backpack will become my new home. Relearning organizational skills as a backpacker will include a learning curve, albeit a fast one. With a little bit of discipline my organization as a backpacker will become just as honed as my previous life was on the motorcycle.

Here’s my packing list:

- - Sleeping bag
  - Tent
  - Inflatable pillow
  - 2 pairs of pants
  - 3 t-shirts
  - 2 sweat shirts
  - 3 pairs of socks
  - 3 pairs of underwear
  - Swimsuit
  - Winter hat
  - Baseball cap
  - Sunglasses
  - Personal hygiene kit
  - Flip flops
  - Airtags
  - Air mattress
  - SpotGen3 GPS tracker
  - Plastic fork
  - Power adapter for New Zealand and Australia
  - Luci light
  - Headlamp
  - Laptop
  - Medical kit
  - 3 litre water bladder
  - Rain jacket
  - Foldup day backpack
  - Updated US Passport
  - International driver’s license
  - Lambykins

Although this seems minimalistic it will be summer in the southern hemisphere so going light on clothing was an easy decision to make. I am sure if I am missing anything it will be easier to pick it up along the way rather than carry the weight and bulk of unneeded items. Being new to backpacking I am fully open to criticism and suggestions on anything I am missing or have over packed. Let me know your feedback and items that you cannot live without that should be added to this list.