Backcountry Beacon

Summer is right around the corner, which means the hostel circuit will soon be teeming with world travelers searching for new experiences, friendships, and exotic ways to seduce the senses. We’ve come up with some tips for packing and strategic traveling that will benefit you once you’re on the road.

Cool Trip Ideas

One goal to keep in mind while on the hostel route is to give yourself the chance to get off the beaten path and explore places most backpackers miss.

Silk Road

• Beijing-Urumqi-Kashi-Samarkand-Ashgabad-Turkmenbashi-Baku-Ankara-Istanbul

While this trip is certainly not for the uninitiated traveler since it traverses some pretty rough country and potentially difficult border crossings, it does take the traveler through some of the most heart-stopping landscapes and forays into cultures rarely experienced by Westerners.

Five Cultures

• Hanoi-Vientiane-Chang Mai-Mandalay-Yangon-Bangkok-Phnom Penh-Ho Chi Minh City

Most travelers start in Bangkok and travel through Lao to get to Hanoi, but the reverse direction makes for relatively un-crowded bus and train rides, and dipping into Myanmar gives the traveler a glimpse of Southeast Asian culture less affected by tourism.

Northern Andes and Brazil

• Caracas-Merida-Medellin-Cali-Quito-Guayaquil-Lima-Cusco-La Paz-Santa Cruz-Sao Paolo

This horseshoe-shaped itinerary takes one through the Andean highlands dotted with beautiful and rustic colonial and indigenous towns, to pacific coastal paradises and jungle hideaways.

Southern Europe

• Lisbon-Oporto-Saragossa-Barcelona-Nice-Genoa-Venice-Zagreb-Dalmatian Coast-Belgrade-Bucharest-Odessa

On the most popular and accessible continent for the hostel backpacker, one can still find less traveled paths chock full of mesmerizing history, world-class art, glorious beaches, and unique regional cultures.

Packing

When choosing what to pack remember that although you might be on the road for months at a time, you probably aren’t planning on climbing Everest on your way to the Louvre, and unless you have a camel ride across the Taklimakan Desert on your itinerary, you’ll be able to buy an extra pair of socks or a sweater on the road, so think carefully about where you’ll be going and do your best to pack light.

• Roll your clothes individually to maximize space; pack them into a plastic compression sac to save more space and keep them dry
• Keep one pair of socks, underwear, one tech tee, your base layer top, and your rain jacket on the top of your pack for easy access in case you need to make a quick change
• Pack your accessories (guide notes, book, music, camera, multi-tool, first aid kit, headlamp, sunglasses, sunscreen) in an outer zipper compartment of your pack so you can get at them easily
• Pack heavier items (pants, fleece, sweatshirts) on the bottom of your pack, and lighter items above them
• Bring a water bottle rather than a hydration bladder, and keep it accessible in a side pocket
• Keep a roll of toilet paper in a ziplock bag and keep it available near the top of your pack or in an outer pocket; flatten the roll to make it more packable
• If your pack doesn’t have a detachable day bag, make sure to pack one with you for day trips

Marmot Kompressor Backpack
The North Face Flyweight Travel Pack
Patagonia Lightweight Travel Pack
Pacsafe VentureSafe 20L Travel Pack
Eagle Creek Bohemian Bag
Patagonia Atom Sling Bag
Pacsafe SlingSafe 100 Purse
Eagle Creek Compass Bag

Packing

Backpacks

Besides your passport, money and tickets, your pack is the next most important thing you’ll carry with you. If you have to save money somewhere, cut down on the technical clothing, but avoid skimping on the pack. Comfort and functionality are key, and if you make the right choice now, your pack will serve you well for years and miles to come. Select a pack between 3000cu in (49L) and 4500cu in (74L) to have plenty of space for multi-week/month trips. Look for a solid, comfortable, durable pack that features a comfortable strap system, back venting, and suspension.

Unders

Three pairs of underwear and socks are enough to get me through a long trip, as long as I stick to packing synthetics and can do the old sink wash if I’m in a pinch. I like to pack a comfortable pair of tights and base layer top as well, just in case I feel like running on a cool morning, stretching in the evening, or need extra insulation in the high country. Depending on where I’m headed, I also like to pack a variety of different types of socks that can keep me comfortable on moderate hikes, or daytime café crawls.

Tops

Tech tees are indispensible. You can pick up a souvenir cotton tee anywhere, but a good tech tee will keep you more comfortable on hot days, long walks, or on transit days where the only way to the next town is a crowded bus and a seat next to a goat in heat. And just because you’re backpacking doesn’t mean you have to look like a slouch. A good synthetic button-down shirt/blouse maintains casual style, but also improves breathability and moisture wicking to helps prevent over-heating when you’ve got a pack on your back, or are traipsing through the Amazon with a local tribe. Make sure to find a button-down with chest pockets (the chest pockets are great for holding tickets and passport), back venting, and maybe even insect repellant woven into the fabric if you’ll be in a buggy environment; pack one short and one long sleeve.

Outer Layer

Think about bringing a lightweight shell that does the job in the rain, but can also double as a breathable hiking shell and possibly even a winter shell (you can save some money on gear this way). Also throw in a lightweight fleece or softshell, and a compressible down jacket if you think you might head up to higher elevations.

Bottoms

Backpacking doesn’t have to mean that you’re always roughing it, so remember to pack a nice pair of jeans or a dress for casual dinners and sampling the local nightlife. I also like to pack a pair of lightweight pants that are comfortable enough for long walks and transit days, and a pair of lightweight shorts that can double as a bathing suit. A pair of casual shorts isn’t a bad idea either, but pay attention to fabric contents, as casual shorts are usually woven with a high percentage of cotton, which makes them heavy and less versatile. Also look for pants and shorts that have secure pocket closures that will help keep items in and curious fingers out.

Shoes

Since you’ll be hoofing it through countries and across borders for an extended length of time, a versatile pair of shoes that are comfortable to walk in and classy enough for the tapas bar and a night of clubbing are crucial. These can be your go-to shoes, but you’ll also want a pair of sandals for casual times and suspect bathroom floors or showers, and possibly a pair of shoes that you feel comfortable hiking and running in. One thing I’ve noticed is that you have to be creative about exercise when you’re traveling, so it’s not a bad idea to bring a pair of midweight running shoes that can double as your hiking shoes and are comfortable enough for a few miles of pounding the cobblestones.

Horse trekking outside Songpan, China

Accessories

Travel accessories are often the mortar holding the building blocks of your travel gear (as well as your trip) together. They can make or break your trip, and since the devil is in the details, there are a few items that you probably shouldn’t leave home without.

Hats

I’m not a huge fan of wearing baseball caps when I’m traveling since they usually single me out as an American, but I love traveling with unique hats for style, warmth and sun protection.

Security

Travelers in foreign countries can often be paranoid about security, but by taking the right measures and remaining aware of their surroundings, they have a greater chance of avoiding incidents. The greatest lesson I’ve learned along the way is to not invite too much attention.

• Dress simply, but comfortably, and avoid clothes with a lot of branding

• Keep jewelry simple and understated if you’re going to wear it at all

• Leave the flashy watch at home and bring a cheap reliable digital

• Pack light enough to be able to carry everything you need in one backpack, so you can keep your hands free while in transit (this is especially important in busy train and bus terminals where you are most at risk of being pick-pocketed)

• If you look like a fish out of water, you’re an instant target, so pay attention to your orientation, where you are in relationship to where you’re going, and quickly figure out how to travel to where you need to go (tourist info, shop keepers, police are usually safe and reliable people to ask for directions)

• Keep expensive cameras tucked safely away in your pack and have only what you need (tickets, passport, small money and address of destination and directions) at the ready

• Lock your bag zippers when traveling through busy areas, and conceal your pack with a rain cover to make your pack a less inviting target

• Use a money belt of some sort to conceal your important cash, credit cards, traveler’s checks, tickets and passport

A note on money belts:

While money belts have been around for a long time, I’m not a huge fan of them. They feel bulky, especially under lightweight clothing, and can be extremely awkward if you need to dig into your pants for more cash or your passport. Similarly, I’m also not a huge fan of the security wallets that hang from the neck. They also feely awkward and uncomfortable, especially if they’re full, and can chafe your neck after long periods of time. As long as it’s comfortable enough to wear a tech tee under my outer layer, what I prefer to do is to wear my lightweight money belt over one shoulder like a bandoleer. This way my cash and passport are easily accessible but secure against my midsection. This may or may not work for you, and maybe it’s not a big deal to wear an uncomfortable money belt for short periods of time when security is essential, but you can always get creative with what you choose to do and as long as you stick to the rule of keeping your passport and cash concealed in a zipper pocket on your person, you will most likely be fine.

Security Accessories:

• Eagle Creek Travel Safe TSA Lock

• Pacsafe ProSafe 700 Combination Padlock

• Pacsafe Retractasafe 250 Cable Lock

• Eagle Creek Undercover Deluxe Security Belt

• Pacsafe Cashsafe Travel Belt Wallet

Useful Travel Accessories:

• Sea To Summit Lite Line Clothesline – you can also pack nylon cord and some clothes pins

• Cocoon Silk Travel Sheet – see more sleeping bag liners; an indispensible item that keeps you comfortable in less-than-savory bed linens

• Nite Ize S Biner – very useful for hanging things off your pack

• Eagle Creek Pack-It Compression Sacs – saves space and keeps clothes in convenient storage

• Petzl Tikkina 2 Headlamp – see more headlamps; don’t leave home without one

• Leatherman Juice CS4 Multi-Tool – see more multi-tools and knives; very useful for minor repairs and meals

• Sea To Summit DryLite Towel – see more travel towels

• Sunglasses – think about buying a cheapo drugstore pair that you won’t mind losing or breaking

• Sigg Traveler 1.0L Bottle – see more water bottles; bringing a water bottle is a much better idea than refilling cheap plastic bottles along your way

• Eagle Creek Comfort Plus Eye Shade – useful on night trains, buses, and in hostels (you can also tie a bandana over your eyes)

• Earplugs – get a few cheap pairs at the drug store; these are indispensible when trying to sleep in noisy planes, buses, trains and hostels

• Plastic bags – pack a few of the freezer quality ziplock bags and use them for keeping items dry and separated (especially useful for snacks, books, toiletries and papers)

• Duct Tape – roll up about ten feet of duct tape and stick it in your medicine kit; in a pinch this can help support a sprained wrist or ankle, and is a quick patch for backpack fabric and outerwear (create your own small roll by wrapping around a pen or pencil)

• Bungee cord – they don’t take up much space and have a variety of uses (added cinching, strapping stuff to the outside of your pack, locking train and hotel doors from the inside when you’re in a bad part of town, hanging clothes to dry)

Toiletries & Medicine Kit

This is definitely a place where you can save some weight and space and still have what you need to be comfortable and prepared for minor injuries and illnesses.

• Pack a small bottle of Dr. Bronner’s Magic Soap, which can be used to wash your hair, face, body and dirty clothes, and can also be used as a shaving lather, tooth wash and as mouthwash (make sure to dilute with water first)

• Try to keep appliances like hair dryers at home, but if you absolutely need them, find travel-sized appliances and make sure to pack the adapters you’ll need

• Consider packing your own medicine kit specific to your needs; pack a bandage wrap for sprains or torn muscles, various sizes of adhesive bandages for scrapes and cuts, moleskin, tweezers, small scissors, ibuprofen, antacids, Dramamine, q-tips, Pepto-Bismol, sunscreen, and hand sanitizer

• Keep prescription medication in the original bottles so you don’t mix it up and so nosy border guards don’t have an excuse to accuse you of smuggling

Tips From Fellow Travelers

• Have a plan, but be prepared for unexpected changes or alterations and make sure to maintain a flexible attitude; getting from point A to point B is not always the goal – take in the journey between destinations

• Photo copy the sections you need out of your guidebooks rather than carrying the complete books (photocopy basic language guides as well); this technique saves weight and is especially useful when traveling to multiple countries

• Don’t bring too many books to read; hostels usually have a library that you can take from and donate to

• If you’re staying in one location for several days, fin a restaurant you like and stick with it more than once; this may sound unadventurous, but you’ll develop a rapport with the staff, sample a variety of dishes on a reliable menu, and save the time and stress of always finding a new place; also, you can rely on streetfood for smaller meals

• Don’t always rely on the guidebook; strike out on your own and find towns, restaurants and inns that are less popular with the average backpacker;

• Try not to bring a bulky camera; digital SLRs take up a lot of space, are targets for thieves, and are fragile; a high end digital camera like the Canon G11 takes great pictures and is small enough to throw in a pocket or a lumbar pack (also takes great video for your travel blog)

• Download language apps to your iPod or media device for easy language practice

• If you’re visiting a town for one or two main attractions, consider finding an inn or hostel in the next town over where people will be less desensitized to tourists and you’ll likely be treated to a more genuine local experience

• Pack a small supply of candy or treats you can give away; gifts go a long way to making others happy and enriching your experience

• Be sure you can access bank funds from the countries you’re traveling to and give a copy of your planned itinerary to your bank so they can help facilitate foreign transactions

• Do your research, get on travelers forums, and read what other people have to say; just because Mexico is on the State Department’s Travel Advisory list doesn’t you should cancel your trip to Colima

• There’s no need to put the Canadian flag on your pack unless you’re actually Canadian; while this is popular for Americans to do, it probably won’t keep you any safer or improve your experiences with people; in fact the more positive experiences Americans have on the road with people, the better it will reflect on them as a people; however, I don’t suggest sewing the stars and stripes on our pack either

• Smile often, use what language abilities you have, and enjoy the journey

A Few Favorite Hostels

• Posada la Casa de la Mano Poderosa, Merida, Venezuela

• Green Tortoise Hostels, San Francisco/Seattle, USA

• Beijing Downtown Backpackers Association, Beijing, China

• Kevin’s Trekker Inn, Zhongdian, China

• Balmer’s, Interlakke, Switzerland

• Okinawa Sora House, Okinawa, Japan

• Hostel 2962, Garmisch-Partenkirchen, Germany

• Rancho Grande Hostel, El Chaltén, Argentina

Hopefully this guide helps you get started and gives you some good ideas to use on your next trip. Hostel travel is a great way to see the world, take a break from work and home, experience foreign cultures, and meet new friends. Far out.

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Tags: backpacking, tips, travel