Backpacker Magazine – March 2009

Travel Like a Pro: Tips for En Route

Leave that fuel canister at home, and other tips to consider when you're packing for your international adventure.

by: Berne Broudy

Tags:
• Luggage
|
• Stoves
|
• Gear
|

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What to Do Before You Leave | Tips for En Route | When You Get There | How to Stay Healthy | Etiquette On the Trail | For the Extreme Traveler

Bring it or buy it?
Stove fuel
You'll find screw-on canister fuel in most major cities–though in Europe, Camping Gaz, which has a different type of connector, is the market leader. Buy a converter (available in many European camping stores), or pack a stove that accepts both types of canisters, like the MSR Superfly ($50, msrgear.com). In remote locations, bring a multifuel stove (like the Optimus Nova; $140, optimus.se) in case you have to burn kerosene or diesel.

Bags, packs, tents, apparel
Bring what you have. In Western Europe and New Zealand, gear will be significantly more expensive; in Asia, you can get burned buying low-quality knockoffs.

Food
Dehydrated meals are sold in many major European hiking shops. Elsewhere, buy pasta and sauce, ramen noodles, cheese, bread, nuts, pastries, and trail bars. Bring your own sports-drink mix and a few extra energy bars.

Pack Smart

• Bring clothing and camp shoes that can transition from trail to town.
• Roll clothes and pack them in heavy-duty zip-top bags with all the air squeezed out.
• Shrink puffy jackets and sleeping bags by cinching them in compression stuff sacks.
• Nest all cookware and pack smaller items inside of pots, water bottles, and mugs.

How to Fly Right 
GREEN = OK in carry-on baggage
ORANGE = OK in checked baggage
RED = Never OK in any baggage

New or completely clean stoves (scrub with soap and water)
New or empty liquid fuel bottles (remove all lingering fuel smells with soap and water)
Fuel canisters
Non-strike-anywhere matchbooks and common lighters (one of each)
Compressed air canisters (like the type used to inflate bike tires)
Liquids/gels in 3-ounce or smaller bottles (including bug spray)
Knives and multitools
Trekking poles
Crampons
Ice axe

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