| Before you and your backpack head off for a hiking | | | | and the same key, which will allow you to enter and |
| adventure, make sure you have all the essential items | | | | leave many other countries. Without it, well, you wont |
| you need. You may have your own ideas of what | | | | be going anywhere. Separate your cash and travelers |
| should be in your pack but please take 1 minute to | | | | cheques into different compartments on your |
| read this checklist and hopefully you wont end up with | | | | backpack and, keep some about your person. This |
| a sore back. | | | | way, "IF" robbers strike or "IF", you lose your backpack, |
| PRIORITY NUMBER 1: a good strong Backpack! How | | | | you can ensure you have something left. In addition, |
| can you go for a wild backpacking adventure with a | | | | find yourself a comprehensive travel guide but one, |
| cheap useless backpack? Pick one which is | | | | which only has the essential info you need. |
| comfortable and fits well on you. A custom fitted | | | | Most backpacks have a detachable daypack. This little |
| backpack is crucial. You are going hiking and the last | | | | pack can easily carry your essential items for a day |
| thing you need is a backpack gouging into your | | | | trip, like a camera, journal, one or two travelers |
| shoulders. Make sure it fits as comfortable as possible, | | | | cheques and flip flops. Flip flops I hear you ask? Flip |
| you could be carrying it for thousands of miles. | | | | flops can be very useful when you take a shower in |
| Purchase one with a lock and key as well, if you can't | | | | places you may not normally take a shower. |
| find one with a lock and key, then buy a separate | | | | Mini packs of toothpaste, shampoo, sun cream, wet |
| padlock to keep your belongings safe. | | | | wipes, body spray or roll on, soap and a small bag of |
| Two of the most important elements of your | | | | laundry powder will all keep you clean and feeling fresh |
| backpacking journey will be, sleep and walking, | | | | for the first few weeks of your journey. Restock at |
| hopefully not together. Pick a pair of very comfy | | | | different stages on your travels. A tiny first aid kit |
| walking shoes because, you will learn soon enough | | | | could prove very handy and finally, a quick drying |
| that walking is going to be a major part of your | | | | towel! You don't want to be carrying a heavy, damp |
| backpacking adventure. A pillow case and lightweight | | | | towel on your back for miles and miles. |
| sleeping bag are essential items to keep when you | | | | Take just enough underwear & socks for a week and |
| stay in accommodation for backpackers. The pillow | | | | make sure your socks are 100% cotton so your feet |
| case is great because you know your head is the only | | | | can breathe. You might also want to pack a pair of |
| one which has slept on it and it wont need too much | | | | long Johns. This depends on the season and place |
| regular washing. A sleeping bag will improve your sleep | | | | where you are traveling. You might need your long |
| if your bag is comfortable and you can always pull out | | | | underwear when you stay in accommodation with a |
| a few clothes to stuff in the pillow case for a custom | | | | poor heating system. Pack a lightweight raincoat or |
| sized pillow. | | | | kagool, especially for tropical or rainy countries like |
| "DON'T FORGET YOUR PASSPORT"! This little | | | | those in South America or South East Asia. |
| booklet is the key to you leaving your home country | | | | |