Preparation - Packing

Packing

We bought our backpacks almost 18 months before our trip, when we saw some on sale (the Osprey Stratus 34 and Sirrus 36).  We went with the idea that getting a backpack that's a little smaller forces you to bring less, rather than more (you'll be happy you did). Given the variability of the season (October), we had to bring short and long pants. We opted for 3 sock and underwear pairs, with those worn that day cleaned. The long lead time allowed us to take advantage of good deals on clothes as well.

Although we didn't have the final weight right from the beginning, we used other clothes to give us an idea of just how heavy the pack might be. I don't think its worth buying ultralight (and ultra expensive) clothes.

We used everything in our packs except the chamois cloth. We elected to pay for sheet and towel rentals for the few places we were staying where these were extra, rather than to carry them with us the whole time. What we didn't bring which we should have was moisturizing cream (for the feet), but this was easy to find in any grocery store (but added a little weight). One of the best items packed: 3 Ziploc containers to keep food (cheese and sausage especially, but leftovers as well) for another day.

This was our packing list with all items weighed. 

We got well acquainted with our packs and the weight we would be carrying (in the form of books) long in advance. Of course, 5-10 km walks once or twice a week (usually on flat paths) don't replicate the daily walking on the trip, but it's a start.

Contents

Osprey water bladders (tubes forced us to drink more)

Chaco hiking shoes (happy feet)

Merrell post hiking shoes (super light)

Hats: good for sun, rain, wind, not looking at dogs.

Ponchos which Susan learned to love.

Windbreakers for wind, light rain, cold.

Two Icebreaker merino wool shirts each (worth the money!)

Post hike shirts (Susan needed a long sleeve shirt).

Fleece.

Shorts: we wore them everyday in October!

Light long pants.

Susan: long underwear and light running pants, René: extra light pants.

Three underwear each

Wright socks double layer running socks.

Toothbrushes, toothpaste, floss, nail clipper, tweezers, Purel, deodorant, shampoo,
conditioner, hair gel, clothes soap, chamois cloth, eye shades, ear plugs.

First aid: band-aids, Polysporin, Tylenol, sewing kit, safety pins,
alcohol wipes, duct tape.

Sunscreen and lip balm sunscreen. Even for October.

Toilet paper, tissues, razors, tampons and daily pads.

Pink shopping bag, extra resealable bags and light backpack.

Kitchen: 3 resealable Ziploc containers, forks, spoons, knife,
wine bottle opener (of course!), and Swiss army knife.

Prescription sunglasses and extra glasses.

ASUS tablets (~300g each): GPS, IGN maps, documents, magazines, books, internet with free hotel WiFi.

Clockwise from top left: USB cables (for tablets and camera), compact camera (Sony RX100 IV), 2 extra 
camera batteries (charged inside camera), Anker external battery (almost never used!), 
extra SD card and micro B to micro C adaptor, OTG cable (to backup pics from
camera to tablet), Europe plug and Anker dual USB charger. All this for 780g!

Credencials, notebooks and pens.

Missing from these pictures was, of course, cash, bank and credit cards, passports, an extra t-shirt and boxers for sleeping (Rene) and a light night gown (Susan).

 Before we began we realized we needed moisturiser which we bought en route.

Daily additions included lunch supplies, our "in case of" supply of nuts and raisins, and water in the water bladders.