By Bill Lockhart
In the last five years I have traveled 250,000 miles, most of which was by airplane, thousands by vehicle, hundreds by boat.
You might say that I have experienced just about every conceivable calamity that can occur on a photo travel adventure.
This experience has led me to what I call the Essential/Non-Essential Packing List.
I never pack anything in checked luggage that is Essential, I carry that on my back or in a rolling case that will fit in the overhead luggage compartment inside the aircraft or vehicle. Why? Because airlines lose luggage. Because when I am in an area where my stuff might get stolen, I want to have my Essential stuff with me at all times.
So, prior to any trip, I sort my stuff into two piles. One Essential, one Non-Essential.
Before I begin packing, I do two things:
First, I put together a detailed and very specific itinerary and I email a copy to those persons I want to have it (your itinerary should include your flight schedule and flight numbers, contact information for the hotel/lodge/self-catering house where you are staying, travel agency contact information, contact information for friends whom you will meet or join during your journey).
Second, I make certain that whomever I intend to meet on my trip has a copy of my emergency contact information (this might be the travel agency with whom you booked your trip, or a friend whom you plan to meet or travel with on your journey).
The Essential List (in order of priority):
1. My Passport. (A printed photo copy as well, in a different location. For example, keep your passport in your travel vest, keep the copy of your passport in your camera bag.)
2. My cell phone. (With emergency contact information and trip itinerary stored as a text file. I also have a printed list of contact information and my itinerary stored somewhere away from my cell phone. BTW, I carry two cell phones, my everyday iPhone and my International cell phone that I use for SIM cards that I buy in the country I am visiting. I keep my everyday iPhone on my person, and the other in my camera bag.)
3. My credit cards, cash, and checkbook. (I keep a detailed list of credit card numbers, checking account numbers, and emergency contact numbers for these accounts as a text file on my cell phone. I keep a separate credit card, cash, and checks in a different location [my camera bag]. Never put all your eggs in one basket!)
4. Camera(s) and Lenses. Carry two cameras, never one. Why fly 12,000 miles to South Africa and have your camera not work? (Including batteries and battery chargers, and electrical current adapters.)
5. Media storage device. (iPad and Vosonic portable storage drive. I always have a way to create two copies of every photograph I make, I never rely on a single device to save my photographs. Trust me, one of them will break.)
6. CF/SD Cards. (I carry about 40GBs of CD or SD capacity, meaning I can shoot for two or three days or more without offloading shots.)
7. Airline tickets.
8. Listerine spray. I can tell you from experience that Listerine Spray keeps me from getting colds while traveling. Trust me. About every two hours or so I spray Listerine in my mouth. Since I have starting using it, I never have had a cold from air travel. It simply works.
Discussion:
Why is the passport the first priority? If you are leaving your home country there is nothing more valuable than your passport, it proves who you are. Even without credit cards, cash, or checkbook you can get assistance if you have a passport.
Next is my cell phone with emergency numbers. If something gets stolen, I know who to call.
Why are your airline tickets last on your Essential list? Because the tickets can be replaced easily, that is, if you have bought electronic tickets, if you are still using paper tickets, well, you might want to move them up the list of priority.
I can get help and assistance with item Number 1. Number 2 makes it easier to get assistance. Number 3 would be great to have, but 1 and 2 are more important.
I carry items 1, 2, and 3 in a travel vest, not in my pants pockets, a brief case, or laptop bag. I want the really critical stuff next to my beating heart. I want it close.
Numbers 4, 5, 6, and 7 can be bought, maybe not a good prices, maybe not the same model, maybe not anywhere convenient, but they can be bought.
If you have Numbers 1 and 2, it is likely you can get Number 3 within 24 hours.
Why no Prescription Drugs? (None of mine are critical to my life, other people need certain drugs to remain alive, so this item should be high on your list if that is so, for me it is basically a Non-Essential item.)
What about eyeglasses? I wear mine all the time, I pack a spare set in my luggage. I also carry my prescription with me just in case I need a new pair made.
The Non-Essential List (in order of priority):
1. A good water-proof jacket. I highly recommend shells made by Rohan. For water, wind, cold, nothing beats a high quality jacket.
2. A fleece. Layering your clothing is critical to staying warm or comfortable. A good zippered fleece underneath a water-proof shell is a great combination.
3. The best boots I can afford. Meaning waterproof as in Gortex or similar, with good ankle support. Your boots should be rugged enough to withstand walks across both rocky and wet conditions. Make sure you break them in.
4. Three pair of good pants. I highly recommend both Rohan and Royal Robbins. Rohan pants are very expensive but never wear out. Royal Robbins are lighter weight and look good in Business Class as well as in a local pub.
5. Three pair of Exoffico underwear. You can wash them out in a sink and they will be dry the next morning. Perfect for travel.
6. Five or six pair of wool socks. Socks take longer to dry. Wool is best to wick away moisture from your feet.
7. Three nylon shirts. Cotton is terrible for travel, buy shirts made of nylon, you can wash them out and have them dry next morning.
8. A carbon fiber tripod. You gotta put it in your luggage. Mine fits nicely. Find one that is light weight but supports your camera and lens well.
9. A good tripod head and mounting hardware. Really Right Stuff is the best.
10. Toiletries. Look for travel stuff at Walmart or Target. The idea is to pack light.
11. A good pair of flip flops or sandals. I love my Okabashi‘s. Made in America! You will need them wherever you go.
12. A good robe. Yep. nothing like a long day, then a shower, then putting on a comfortable robe and relaxing with a great South African wine.
13. 20-25 feet of parachute cord. Perfect for hanging up your clothing to dry. Learn to tie the Clinch Knot.
14. A good quality LED flash light.
15. Rechargeable batteries and recharger.
16. Emergency kit. Blanket, trail food, water purification, shelter. Never think that a short walk means you don’t need emergency gear.
17. GPS Software for your iPhone or a good external GPS unit. Knowing where you are and how to get back to where you started are basic.
Discussion:
Clothing you pack should suit the environment that you will travel in. But there are some basics.
First, you want clothing that can be washed and dried quickly. You may not have a washer and dryer around and have the need to wash your clothes in a sink or bucket.
Second, learn to layer. Meaning that staying warm is about several layers of clothing. And, staying dry is important too. Likewise, getting cooler means removing layers. Research the climate you will be going into and understand what clothing you will need.
Third, your boots are your foundation. Buy the best you can, break them in. Make sure they are waterproof.
Fourth, buy stuff that is light weight. The worst thing you can do is carry stuff that is heavy and hard to transport. Small is better than large, light is better than heavy.
And, last, make sure you have researched the area you are going into in great detail. Know all you can about the climate, the flora and fauna, the culture, what to expect, and then think again about what you might need if the fates decide to test your endurance and planning.
