sorting and packing your gear for trekking

No matter whether your trekking the Kokoda trail, Everest BC, Mt Kilimanjaro or any other hiking destination sorting and finding your gear when it is needed can be a muddled mess.

Where are the spare batteries for the head lamp?, I can’t find my snack bar, does anyone have some sun screen because I can’t find mine are the many phrases you will hear while travelling.

Sorting your gear into the right groups and separate bags can avoid frustration while on your adventure holiday. How you group your items will vary from person to person, however the following is how I group my gear.

I purchase different coloured dry bags and sizes ranging from 2.5L to 12L. You will need to buy these from different manufactures to avoid having the same colours.

A daily general use bag of 8L in size will hold the things I require morning and night such as anti malarial tablets, toothpaste and brush, roll on deodorant, sunscreen, vitamins, pest sprays and any other daily medications. This bag is the last thing I pack on top of my pack as you generally brush your teeth after breakfast and then put your packs on ready to go.

First aid kit goes on it’s own and I pack this in an out side pocket easy to access in an emergency.

Medications (when I travel to remote locations I carry my own personal pharmacy) I put into one bag and inside that bag I group them into two categories one for sickness and the other pain relief. I separate these by using clear zip lock bags. This dry bag is packed in the same pocket as the first aid kit to be accessed quickly.

Bathing and shaving gear is grouped together and is one of the first things to be packed into your bag as it is unlikely you will be having a shower during the day.

You lightweight trek towel to be put on it’s own in a 2.5L dry bag as it may still be wet and you don’t wont to make your other gear wet or smelly. I pack this towards the top of the pack so I can dry it out at lunch time.

Dirty or wet clothing into another dry bag on it’s own(5L).

Clothes into a compressible dry bag (sea to summit) which you pack towards the lower end of the pack.

Sleeping bag and pillow into a compressible dry bag (sea to summit) in the bottom of your bag.

Sleeping mat onto it’s own dry bag and pack in the bottom of your pack.

Snacks into it’s own dry bag and just take out each night what you need for the following day.

A spares/miscellaneous bag about 10-12L in size with your spare batteries, sunscreen, shoe laces, sewing kit, spare zip lock bags, spare toilet paper and other things you don’t require daily.

A spare dry bag of about 10L in size to wash your clothes in.

Group your money into zip lock bags, one for porters tips, one for spending on route and another for spending when you get back to the hotel. Avoid pulling large amounts of cash out in front of the locals as this can be offensive and deemed to be showing off. You must carry small currency as many places can’t change your larger notes, please arrange this prior to your departure.

Put your passport and travel documents into zip lock bags and always carry them on your persons.

Grouping your items into similar ways will ensure you spend less time packing everything up in the morning into one large dry bag and you will be able to find what you are after easily.

This will enhance your experience on the Kokoda track or the trails of Mt Kilimanjaro and Nepal.