Every Ounce Matters

It's packing time! Because we will be carrying everything we need for 3 weeks of travels on our backs, we weighed every item that we were considering, selecting the lightest items that best meet our needs. Shirts, shorts, socks, and fleeces all had to be compared to one another. Plus, we can expect wintry weather up in the Alps, with high winds and temps possibly as low as freezing, and soon after we could experience highs in the 90s, so we need clothing for hot sun exposure as well as for frigid weather. And rain. Switzerland in June averages 11 days with rain. 

After lots of heart-wrenching decisions to do without, I finally got my pack down to 14 pounds. Once I add in water and food, it will be about 17-18 pounds. This wouldn't be bad, but I still haven't packed the camera. I have gone back and forth on whether or not to bring an SLR or to make do with a smart phone. The SLR plus a 55-200mm lens weighs 40 oz., or 2.5 pounds! The 28-55mm lens plus wide angle attachment adds another 12 oz. Tomorrow I expect that these will be in our packs. Smart phone photos just aren't the same.

Here is my packing list:

Clothing

• 2 short-sleeved synthetic shirts
• 1 long-sleeved sun shirt
• 1 pair running shorts
• 1 pair swim shorts (which double as a second pair of shorts)
• 1 pair leggings
  
• 1 synthetic knee-length dress (for places where it's best not to look grungy)
• 1 sports bra (which doubles as a swim top)
• Undergarments
• Sleepwear

Outerwear

• Rain jacket
• Lightweight, warm jacket 
• Head/neck gaiter
• Rain hat
• Sun hat
  

Footwear

• Hiking shoes
• Running shoes
• Sandals
• 2 pairs hiking socks
• 1 pair running socks

Technology

• Smart phone + charging cable
• Smart watch + charging cable
• Type C adapter (works in France, Switzerland, and Italy)
• Ear buds for plane
  

Toiletries

• Hair brush, elastics
  
• Toothbrush, toothpaste, floss
• Razor
• Hand sanitizer
• Lotion
• Soap
• Nail clippers
  

First Aid & OTCs

• Tylenol 
• Tiger Balm
  
• Supplements, personal medications 
• Sunscreen
• Compeed blister bandages
• First aid kit: alcohol wipes, bandages, steri-strips, K-tape
  

Other

• Passport
• Credit card
• Cash
• Backpack, rain cover
  
• Daypack (for plane and for local excursions)
• Camping towel
• Sleep sack (required at some of the lodgings) 
• Kula cloth
• Walking stick
• Water bottles
• Spork
• KN95 masks (in case of poor air quality days)
• Pocketknife (in checked baggage)
• Laundry detergent
• Paracord (laundry line)

Plus, the camera with two lenses. I know I will regret it if I leave it at home.

I feel privileged to have so many things that I can bring with me for comfort and ease. Seeing this long list highlights how much I possess, and how many items I deem to be basics in my life. I recognize that not everyone who desires to do so can do a trip like this, and I am thankful for those who have supported TJ, Kat, and me in making this happen.