Eagle Creek Ultimate Explorer LT Travel Pack
55L with a 10L day pack.
Pack less, travel more.

Eagle Creek Explorer LT - 49 Litre main bag with a 20 litre day bag.
Total weight - 18KG's.

This was carry-on legal at the time of departure, but not so much anymore

LyndenC wrote:Eagle Creek Explorer LT - 49 Litre main bag with a 20 litre day bag.
Total weight - 18KG's.

This was carry-on legal at the time of departure, but not so much anymore

from what i understannd. 65L is carry on. you should be fine in most airlines as long as you dont pack too much

Skylab wrote:

LyndenC wrote:Eagle Creek Explorer LT - 49 Litre main bag with a 20 litre day bag.
Total weight - 18KG's.

This was carry-on legal at the time of departure, but not so much anymore

from what i understannd. 65L is carry on. you should be fine in most airlines as long as you dont pack too much

From my research, the formula to get the litre size of your bag is by measuring the bag inches (H x W x D), multiplying the measurements, divide this number by 61 and this should give you the litres measurement of your bag. However, I understand that the linear inch measurement (H plus W plus D in inches) is the carry-on restriction and at least United Airlines (and a few others I checked) uses this criteria. Each carrier's website should have the size restrictions for carry-on luggage on their website.

My bag was supposedly (and advertised) as 49 litres, and was *just* carry-on legal with the measurements being 22 x 14 x 9 inches (added together this gives 45 linear inches, or carry-on legal).

My brother, who works for United Airlines, didn't believe me that it would be carry-on, so I had to email him my measuring pictures. I didn't have any problems at the airport..

I used a 42L Deuter Futura Pro + 10L day pack (for carrying stuff on the bus, etc). This was more than enough volume for me. You'd be surprised how much stuff you can cram into 42L.

After reading this thread, I decided to try the "less is more" approach, so I commandeered my boyfriend's regular LL Bean backpack for my 11 day trip. As other people have said, it was extremely liberating. It was nice being able to shuffle quickly through airports with my hands free and simply carry on a light pack - no worries of lost luggage, and I always knew where my stuff was. Granted, I was traveling in warm weather so everything was smaller; it would be a challenge to do the same in the winter.

I saw people with fully stuffed 50L-70L backpacks and my back ached. I am now a packing minimalist and will be for the rest of my traveling days.

I re-wrote and photographed my pack/gear list after my old favourite pack was stolen in Costa Rica.

Finally online here, with a description of my 45L bag, full packing list for 5 weeks in Chile and Peru (including camera gear, and computer), and a monster photo of what all is in the bag.

MarkFeenstra.com - My Pack

Be sure to click through to the full size version of the The details of What’s In The Bag.

Great site, Mark.

How well did the Gorillapod work with your D300 and the 18-200?

I have a D90, which I think uses the same batteries as the D300, and I got an aftermarket charger with flip-out prongs. I also got a converter for my netbook so the power brick can connect directly to the wall. Both were pretty cheap, and getting rid of the two cords saved a fair amount of space.

- Mike

Nice setup Markus...I've been kind of waiting to see what your final setup would look like. I'll be interested to hear about how it works when you get back.

I know you've put quite a bit of thought into it so I am actually interested in how you ended up with your selections, what options you discarded, and how you're planning your travel logistics to work out as well:

Will there be less hostels/safer rooms - looks like you'll be leaving the laptop behind during the day

Will there be less travel days/nicer transport or just more focus on adventure/photography than travel. I ask because the pack seems a little big to bring onto many a bus, or are you planning on keeping it at your feet, or taking out the daypack and transferring the electronics from the main pack to the daypack when you actually get to the bus.

Any reason why you went with the ICU as opposed to a more modular approach for each piece of gear?

What weight did your setup finally come out to?

And why did you end up deciding against a more significant tripod? I am guessing because it's probably not really advantageous for the type of photography you'll likely be doing, but still thought I'd ask.

@mikeym, the Gorillapod works reasonably well. It's a little wonky when not wrapped around something, but it seems to stay in place once you get it into position. You have to learn which way the legs do and do not like to be bent.

@halfnine, I'm travelling with my girlfriend for the first three weeks, so we'll always be in private rooms. I'm slightly concerned about the computer, but that's the reason I downgraded to a sub $500 netbook. I'm not going to leave it in an obvious theft situation, but at the end of the day I won't be that upset if it gets stolen. The main images will be on the CF cards (of which I need to buy more before I go) and on the external drive. All other important files on the computer will be backed up to the drive as well. Places like Aguas Calientes are a bit of a concern, where I've read that even in the more expensive hotels, people have left their bags behind and had them rifled through. I'm not sure how I'm going to feel about my computer's security until I get down there. That's part of the reason for the stickers... to keep it looking lower profile when it's out.

There aren't going to be that many crazy transport days on this trip, but in the past I've been able to carry a similar size bag in my lap for an extended period of time. Not as heavy or bulky, but also not as valuable. The bag isn't quite as big as it seems. My main reason for wanting to combine everything is precisely for jumping onto a bus or into a taxi and not having to juggle two bags. If I was travelling to shoot for a client, I'd bring more gear and need more space, but for my personal needs, this is the minimum I'm willing to go with.

The ICU fits my entire camera kit quite comfortably. With the back access panel on the Tilopa (my main pack), I can be in that pack and at my camera in only a few seconds. The Tilopa is what I use when I carry all my gear (light stands, multiple flashes, umbrella, MacBook Pro, etc) to shoot around here, and I'm just used to the larger ICU. Because the ICU just pops in and out of the pack, I can easily drop it into the smaller Cierzo. The only limitation to having the camera in the ICU in the Cierzo, is that it's not easy to get at. The camera will typically be in my hand, or sitting on top of the ICU in the Cierzo. Even though that pack extends out to 35L, I'll only be using about 15-20L of space and the bag sits much more streamlined when partially empty.

I'm at a place with my photography where I'm not getting paid for any of it. I use this to balance out my needs and wants. Ie: I want a Nikkor 70-200 f:2.8, but can't justify the $1,899 CAD price tag just yet. I wouldn't mind having a tripod, but mine is fairly heavy and I wouldn't be using it that often. I just want to do a few night shots and long exposures. The Gorillapod has the added benefit of holding a flash in weird places (like tree branches) when I'm at home, so it seemed worth the minor cost. If I was going to travel with a full tripod, I'd go carbon... and I can't justify that money or added weight right now.

I'll have to remember to get the final weight noted when it's finally packed. It's not that bad when you consider the camera gear is a bit heavy, but the pack itself is a touch on the heavy side, so that bumps it up a bit. Still not bad once the hip belt is done up, and I've had it heavier when it's all camera gear and still been able to carry it all day.

This trip is largely a test to see what sort of role writing and photography are going to play in longer future trips. In Jan/Feb 2010, I'm going surfing somewhere tropical for a few months and not taking anything more than a notebook and a point and shoot. Somewhere along the line, I'll see what gear I NEED, and what really isn't worth my while.

If anyone's interested, these each saved me from taking an extra cord when I travel.

This one lets replaces the power cord for my Acer Aspire One directly to the wall. There still a thin cable from the power brick to the laptop, but the brick attaches directly to the plug, and doesn't require the second cord.

http://cgi.ebay.com/3-prong-HP-Dell-Laptop-Wall-cord-Adapter_W0QQitemZ120327562685QQcmdZViewItemQQptZLH_DefaultDomain_0

I replaced my charger for Nikon EN-EL3 batteries with this. It has fold-out prongs to attach directly to the wall, instead of using a cord:

http://www.overstock.com/Electronics/CTA-Mini-Rapid-Charger-Kit-for-Nikon-EN-EL3-Battery/1601081/product.html?cid=95138&fp=f

- Mike

There aren't going to be that many crazy transport days on this trip, but in the past I've been able to carry a similar size bag in my lap for an extended period of time.

Yeah, most likely you'll be able to put the pack on the ground at your feet in the standard Chilean buses or on a slightly upgraded Peruvian bus. Especially, if you're sitting next to the gf. But, like you said, in many other countries it will definitely end up on your lap for the duration. Although, it is narrower and not as deep as I originally thought. I do find the pack interesting. How compressible is it on the depth? Does the harness impede it's cramability. For instance, my pack is about 9" deep and my wife's about 10" deep. I can cram my pack in about anywhere mainly because it can compress down easily. It's a real no frills travel pack. My wife's pack on the other hand, even though it has slightly less volume then mine, we can't cram anywhere, the harness is just to substantial.

The camera will typically be in my hand, or sitting on top of the ICU in the Cierzo. Even though that pack extends out to 35L, I'll only be using about 15-20L of space and the bag sits much more streamlined when partially empty.

I am interested in the Cierzo. Currently, we use the LL Bean Stowaway packs, but then there are normally two of us, so we can split things up and generally not need a bigger daypack. But it's the same philosophy, it folds into itself and disappears into the main pack for the travel days. How effective would the Cierzo be as a sleeping bag stuff sack? Any limitations in its design? I have a Lowe Alpine Summit Pack from back in the day that I used to use for summit day, but it would double as my sleeping bag stuff sack when I was hiking with the main backpack. The Cierzo could be a nice replacement.

I want a Nikkor 70-200 f:2.8,

me too

but can't justify the $1,899 CAD price tag just yet

me either

I noticed the down jacket didn't make the list.

I just checked the temperatures... snow in the forecast next week, and I think the down jacket (actually a prototype technical synthetic jacket) is going to be worked back into the equation.

If you remove the foam panel from the Cierzo, it would work reasonably well as a sleeping bag sack, but you're losing the vertical compression. The thing can be cinched almost flat with the front compression straps, but with no floating lid, you're stuck with the minimum length of the back panel (not sure, but typical of a 35 L bag).

F-Stop lists the dimensions of the Tilopa as 11” x 23" x 9". Potential problems? Stuffing those back pockets too full will definitely cause it bulge out the back. A bunch of last minute changes/ideas are popping into my head, and I'm really looking forward to sitting down with everything and trying to slot it together. I really enjoy the challenge of slotting things into the bag in such a way that things are accessible, and that they fit with room to spare. I had a bunch of room left over last time, and now that I think I'll be wearing warmer clothing more of the time (difficult to think in those terms when I'm sitting here in shorts, tee, and sunburn), it will affect whether I add another warmer layer or not.

The harness on the Tilopa is wide and padded enough that it really takes the load off when the bag is heavy, but not so much that it's too bulky. I can clip the waist straps around the back of the pack and it remains fairly low profile.

I didn't realize that F-Stop had the page for the old-style Tilopa online (new one ETA August… severely delayed), but it's this feature that I can't seem to live without these days:
(not my pack)

halfnine wrote:I noticed the down jacket didn't make the list.

I just added an MEC Northern Lite pullover.

Weight: 444g (Medium)
If you like to climb high, but pack light, it’s a lot easier with this compact belay pullover. A waterproof-breathable coating and premium Kudos XR DWR (durable water repellency) finish make the nylon shell windproof and weather-resistant (weight-saving untaped construction means it’s not full-on rainwear). The PrimaLoft® One insulation compresses to a tiny package and retains significant warmth even if it gets wet.
* Shell is 30-denier nylon with a microporous waterproof-breathable coating and a moisture-shedding Kudos XR DWR finish.
* Insulation is light, compact 60g PrimaLoft One.
* Lining is quick-drying 20-denier polyester.
* Long front zip for easy on / off.
* Integrated, adjustable hood is helmet-compatible.
* Elastic wrists seal in warmth.
* External chest pocket doubles as a stuff sack for the pullover.

I had a real hard think about what the reality of the weather situation is going to be, and I was stuck thinking that I'd be in pants and a tee most of the time, but now realizing that I'll be wearing a sweater and/or jacket almost all the time. Changed the way I approached my clothing choices, but I think the jacket will be a good addition. Adds a fair bit of warmth, and should keep me dry in most light to average rainfall. Layered with the Gore jacket, I have a pretty warm package.

I just added an MEC Northern Lite pullover.

Looks like a nice piece. And primaloft....much more versatile.

I have a slightly different setup, I take a Montbell thermawrap jacket (I'd just find the versatility of a jacket so much more appealing than either a pullover or parka), a GoLite snow hood (to make up for the lack of hood), and a thin balaclava (an extra layer if I plan on doing stuff out in the backcountry).

The setup isn't quite as heavy but then again not quite as warm either. And certainly not as visually appealing. But, then again, if I am wearing part of it or all of it then its probably pretty cold.