To avoid making the same packing mistakes on my next backpacking trip, I made a (warm-weather) list. I’m posting it here so you can benefit from it, too.
My Packing List
Clothes
shirts
1 pair capris
2 skirts
1 pair pants
2 sports bras
bras
underwear
socks
modest bathing suit
1 set running clothes
1 set sleeping clothes
sneakers
sandals
raincoat
fleece
long-sleeve polypro
sun-shielding hat – baseball or floppy
sunglasses
sheet
thin towel
hiker’s knife
lightweight bowl
Electronics
converter
headlamp
camera, memory cards
batteries for: headlamp, camera
Toiletries
soap
shampoo
brush
contact solution – enclosed case
glasses
tampons
bug spray
sunscreen
Cipro
Advil
counter-diarrhea meds
regular medication
Documents
passport
visas
paper plane tickets
copy of itinerary
copy of important information
money, in 20s and 50s.
visa debit card with a four-number pin
travelers’ checks
extra passport photos
money belt
Other
notebook
pens
2 reading books
guidebooks
postcard labels
photos from home to share
business cards
Optional
tent-like mosquito net
portable pillow
portable speakers & batteries
laptop, plug, extra battery, thumb drive
iPod, plug
cell phone, plug
headphones for Skype
water filter
waterproof pack cover
extra stuffable bag
luggage locks
Inkslinging in Africa 
February 23, 2009 at 11:14 pm
Wow, all this fits in a backpack???? I have decided at 61 1/2 years I will not be backpacking across and thru Africa, let alone any other country. I want to have a the comfort creatures I need. You young’ns’ have it so good…..enjoy it while you can. Sorry that I missed seeing you while we were home Lexie. I promise to see you when we return in May.
Love,
Mrs. Fish
February 28, 2009 at 9:32 pm
This post will help many-a-traveler, Lex!
May 16, 2009 at 11:36 pm
Dear Alexis,
To charge AA batteries in the middle of no where, one can use a small foldable solar panel like the following.
(I bought one of these for a friend who visit Africa (an older model, only charges AA batteries). She also carries a head lamp, which uses AA batteries. This new model has a USB port that you can charge your iPod).
(See the following link, click on USB + AA Chargers)
http://www.powerfilmsolar.com/products/
If one needs to recharge AAA batteries, one has to get a sleeve that make AAA battery into AA one.
Sincerely,
Twin Jalanugraha
Sherman Oaks, CA 91403
July 5, 2009 at 2:07 pm
Hope you had a great trip. The list was useful (stumbled across it via Google). Here’s my list if you are interested.
http://www.samchadwickphoto.com/eastafrica09/kitlist.html