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Post by rikita on Jul 1, 2019 14:57:21 GMT
Agnes and I will go camping for two weeks in Sweden soon, and while we travel with my cousin and family by car the first few days, after that we are without car, and camping places tend to be a couple of kilometers from the next bus stop. So, in the car our luggage needs to be small, as we are five people plus luggage and camping gear - and later on, the luggage needs to be light, as i have to carry both my and Agnes' things, including Agnes' car seat ... So any hints to save a few gramms are appreciated (i won't leave my camera and lenses home though, and the book we were planning to read on the journey is heavy, too, unfortunately - but because of that, it will be only be that one book for her, and a light one for me ...)
I have bought very small and light mouth inflatable mattresses, there are sleeping bags and tents even lighter than ours, but they'd cost a lot, and ours are already relatively light. also ordered a very light and small packable pyjama for myself. and since it is summer and we don't do any hiking in difficult terrain, i think we will be fine with just our hiking sandals and then socks in case it is a bit cold ... there are cooking facilities in the camping places i guess, but i suppose i will have to bring a (light) pot and a cup and plate and camping cutlery for each ...
any ideas where to save weight/space?
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Post by onlyMark on Jul 1, 2019 15:30:13 GMT
Think about a towel. There are small, light but effective ones for camping.
Also toiletries - the small ones from a DM type place. A small pack of wet wipes for hand cleaning and such like instead of using water.
Dried fruit and nuts for snacking on.
I take a pillow case/cushion cover and put clothes in there to use as a pillow.
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Post by bixaorellana on Jul 1, 2019 15:40:53 GMT
I learned by trial and error that the best way to make space in your luggage is by tightly rolling your clothes (& things like the inflatable mattresses). But it's not just the rolling, it's how you arrange the rolls in your luggage. View the suitcase or backpack as a rectangular box. Build up "walls" around the sides of the box with your rolled garments, pushing them in tightly and checking for little left-over spaces where underpants (also rolled) and socks can be stuffed. When all the clothes are in, you will have an empty area in the middle where you can put items that can't be rolled. Once this area is filled, you can cover what's in it with more rolled clothes and/or shoes (stuff anything you can in the shoes). If you have to pack shoes, put them in plastic bags so they be more effectively pushed in with the other things in the luggage. Can the book you & Agnes are reading be acquired as an e-book & put on your phone? If you put books on your phone, you can have more.
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Post by bjd on Jul 1, 2019 15:56:35 GMT
Will you be returning by car? If not, can't you leave the car seat in your cousin's car? And I hope it's just a booster seat and not a big car seat. I don't think you need it if you are travelling by bus in Sweden.
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Post by cheerypeabrain on Jul 1, 2019 17:36:58 GMT
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Post by rikita on Jul 1, 2019 22:01:12 GMT
yes, we have three of those light towels. one is tiny though, so i have to decide whether to take the two big ones, or a big and the small one (we will probably bathe in lakes and the sea various times, so it might be good to have enough towels). already got one of those tiny travel soap-shampoo bottles, it should be enough for both of us (since neither of our hair needs to be washed very often) ... i usually just put clothes underneath the hood of my sleeping bag as a cushion, or fill the thing the sleeping bag is packed into ...
rolling clothes is a good idea, i will try that. so far, i usually just stuff them inside and then stuff more and more ... not the best treatment for clothes, i suppose ... not sure about e-book though, as while i bought a power bank, i am not sure how often i can load it (or the phones) - don't want to leave those items in the camping place bathroom unattended. so i want to be careful with my phones batteries, so they haven't run out just when i urgently need to check google maps ... but i might discuss with a. if we really want to read that book or something lighter to carry (thing is though, it is the bullerby book, and the village where they filmed the bullerby movies is one of the places we want to visit) ...
it is a booster seat - was thinking of taking the one that doubles as a backpack. it is not the most practical, but i can carry it on my front while carrying the big backpack on my back - or let agnes carry it some of the way ... i am pretty sure we will need to take taxis some of the time, and not sure how common it is for taxis there to have booster seats ... might email one of the local taxi companies and ask them, and then see if i can mail the seat home - don't think my cousin will want to take it, as they are taking a rental car and traveling home by train, too, and they'll have enough things to carry, considering they are traveling with a toddler ...
you mean to put the backpack in a trolley, instead of carrying it on my back? hm, will think about it ... the backpack itself isn't all that heavy ...
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Post by bixaorellana on Jul 1, 2019 23:01:09 GMT
If possible, roll on a hard surface as it's easier to get a really tight roll.
Do you have to take the seat because it's a law children need them in cars? It seems like the most cumbersome thing you have to bring!
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Post by rikita on Jul 2, 2019 0:32:42 GMT
mainly i feel a lot safer if she has one, as she is quite short for her age, so without a booster seat, the seatbelt would go right across her throat ... but at least in germany, it is also required by law, and i can't imagine it being much different in sweden. another thing i should check ...
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Post by mich64 on Jul 2, 2019 2:19:26 GMT
I hope you and A. have a marvellous time! You have some very good ideas so far.
While traveling we would always see rain ponchos (women and children sizes) rolled up really small in a sack, we finally bought one. Very helpful as they are usually a little long, have a hood and cover pretty well and easy to roll up just as tightly to put back in their tiny sack, would take up very little room in your back pack.
Bring each of you a warm pair of socks (winter socks) for sleeping when camping, it makes you feel cozy.
Bring a little bolt of strong string so you can tie it between trees to make a clothes line.
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Post by bixaorellana on Jul 2, 2019 3:45:47 GMT
Oh -- that string idea is great, Mich! I never thought of that & it's so practical even for regular travel.
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Post by rikita on Jul 2, 2019 18:27:44 GMT
yes, i was thinking not to bring my very good but heavy rain jacket, but a poncho or similar (like, one you just stuff into its own pocket, for example) ... also went and bought a very light travel pyjama today, as i wanted that for a while, anyway ... this one (the little black square next to it is the pouch into which it fits):  and also a very small and light washbag (the bag itself just weighs about 50 g) and a small bottle of biodegradeable multipurpose washing liquid (hair, body wash, and for dishes and clothes) ... sounds a bit strange to use this one for everything, but the guy in the outdoor shop said it works fine ... |
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Post by mich64 on Jul 2, 2019 20:48:50 GMT
Indeed Bixa, I read that tip on travel boards many years ago, perfect for hotel room stays for socks, underwear, t-shirts, pajamas etc.
That is a great set of pajamas Rikita! perfect travel pouch. The rain ponchos are good so you do not have to worry about rain coats as they can be bulky to pack. I would also suggest that you should pack a fleece top, in case you get some cool wet days/nights. I am not sure what the weather is like there but we were happy we had the socks and a fleece top.
The outdoor shops have so many great ideas, if you have time, give some a good search, you will find some great ideas you never would have thought of. Dry food ideas too, for examaple orange crystals added to water taste wonderful in the morning at the campground, refreshing also a bit of energy and vitamin C boost as well.
A deck of cards is also good to have if you have the room, great it you and A. already play some games.
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Post by questa on Jul 3, 2019 0:57:02 GMT
*A small reel of dental floss and a needle with an eye big enough to thread the floss through. Makes a great mending kit for torn tents, sandals, buttons off etc. wrap needle in al-foil scrunched up...easier to find.
*Before you leave, get a a roll of silver duct tape and a wooden skewer/chopstick/paddle-pop stick. roll about 30cm of the tape onto the stick to form a smaller roll. Cut off the wooden ends.This is enough to patch an air mattress, tent. etc
*A couple of small bottles of antiseptic hand wash is better than one bigger one. They have a tendency to hide, so you double your chances of finding one. The solution in them is good for cleaning cuts and scratches. Take some Band-aids and an elastic bandage for twisted ankles.
*Many dried soups, noodles are packaged in paper envelopes which are then packed into foil envelopes. These are then packed in pairs or 4s. You will save space and a bit of weight if you remove the outer wrappings. Write on the back of the envelope what it is.
*Are you hiking along a marked trail or 'going bush' just the two of you? If alone, I would suggest a whistle each to be worn. Helps you get "un-lost."
The cards are a necessity. We have a joke here in Oz...If you get lost in the Bush just sit down and deal a hand of Solitaire. Within an hour someone will lean over you and say "Put the black queen on the red king there" and you are not lost anymore.
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Post by rikita on Jul 3, 2019 19:42:39 GMT
it will be just short hikes with the luggage, just from a bus stop to a camping place, so nothing very adventurous, just a couple of kilometers ... wouldn't multiday hiking with camping with agnes yet, maybe when she is a few years older (would really like to hike in north sweden one day, and in patagonia, but that will be difficult as long as she is in school) ... so, just along a road, really. and i would suppose the campingplaces will all sell food, and shops won't be far, so i will only take a few snacks for the first days and maybe some breakfast porridge or similar ... might do that with the needle (just bought a tiny roll of dental floss) and some tape, but i guess camping places also might have things to repair tents ...
yes, planning to pack a fleece jacket and one thin longsleeved shirt for both of us, so that combined we'd have something warm for the colder days (weather report so far is announcing around 20° max for our first few days), two-three shirts for each, two pairs of light trousers (one of them to wear) and one slightly warmer one, and for agnes additionally shorts and a dress ... apart from underwear and socks i guess that should be enough ...
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Post by bjd on Jul 4, 2019 5:34:32 GMT
Yes, that sounds enough to me. Everyone tends to overpack. I find that even when I reduce things to a minimum, there is at least one thing I don't wear. Anyway, if you are staying in campgrounds, you will be able to rinse out a t-shirt or shorts or whatever at the bathrooms and it will dry during the day.
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Post by questa on Jul 4, 2019 6:19:31 GMT
Happy camping! I hope you have some good adventures and we see some pics.
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Post by cheerypeabrain on Jul 4, 2019 7:05:59 GMT
Well I hope that you have a brilliant time rikita. It sounds like you've got everything well organised. I love your travel pyjamas..they're marvellous! I must get some for my SiL as she and my brother do a lot of hiking in UK and France.
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Post by mossie on Jul 4, 2019 15:10:01 GMT
Have fun. Hope Agnes enjoys it.
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Post by kerouac2 on Jul 4, 2019 15:33:40 GMT
I kick myself on just about every trip for taking too much, particularly in terms of clothing. Perhaps I will improve, because the electronics seem to take up more and more space (and so much more weight!) than in the old days.
I need to convince myself that 2 t-shirts are sufficient no matter how long the trip is -- one to wear and one to dry in the room.
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Post by rikita on Jul 4, 2019 16:36:04 GMT
well, i was thinking of taking three t-shirts, as drying one potentially takes longer on a camping place, in case the weather isn't good. maybe i'll just take two, though. or maybe two t-shirts and a very light sleeveless shirt.
and thanks for everyone wishing us fun! was thinking of putting the tent etc. in the backpack already, to see how much space is left afterwards, but as i need the backpack to transport something on sunday, i might only start the actual packing on monday ...
yeah, electronics definitely adds weight ... if agnes wants to take toys, i guess i'll suggest just two or three of her filly horse figurines, or something similarly small, but i suspect we will add a few more toys along the way ...
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Post by questa on Jul 4, 2019 23:48:58 GMT
Can you find room for a few coloured pencils and a notebook to draw pictures in. This way A can keep a diary of each day by drawing things that were special for her. You can add your comments and dates and you have a record of the trip.
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Post by bixaorellana on Jul 5, 2019 0:18:44 GMT
That's a really sweet idea, Questa.
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Post by rikita on Jul 5, 2019 0:24:04 GMT
good idea ... we always take along some coloured pencils - usually i let her use the back of ticket print-outs as her drawing paper (once we don't need the ticket anymore) - but often we take a small note-book as well, so i might tell her to do that ... she usually has a colouring-in book for travels, too, but i might decide against that as her favourites are all quite big and heavy ...
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Post by mich64 on Jul 5, 2019 4:16:22 GMT
Can you remove a few pages from her favorite books? Fold them up and put them in a sandwich bag to keep them dry.
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Post by questa on Jul 5, 2019 5:40:38 GMT
oooh...I think I would cry if someone hurt my favourite book. why not photocopy the best bits to take with you?...more to .colour in
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Post by mich64 on Jul 5, 2019 12:50:15 GMT
Great suggestion Questa to photocopy them.
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Post by rikita on Jul 9, 2019 21:23:04 GMT
hm, packed only he actual camping things so far - tent, sleeping bags, air mattresses, camping saucepan, frying pan, cutlery, plastic plates and cups - and already, my backpack weighs around 8 kg ... i suppose i could save some weight by getting a lighter tent - but it is a bit late for that, and it would either be very expensive or low quality ...
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Post by mich64 on Jul 9, 2019 23:09:32 GMT
Maybe you could look into splitting up your belongings and trying to find something like the photo that showed a cart on wheels so you do not have to carry the heavy stuff in your backpack?
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Post by rikita on Jul 10, 2019 22:30:59 GMT
well, i had a cart in my hands when i went shopping (slightly different type), but in the end decided against it - when we travel by car the first few days, it (and a bag) is another thing to take up space, i think it is better i really manage to limit myself to one backpack - and also it just didn't look like that practical in case i need to go along a non-paved road, for example - and then i'd have to carry it, too, along with the other things ... so i guess i have to keep my backpack at a weight that i can carry - though if i see one with better wheels than the one i almost bought, i'll buy it for the next journey ...
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Post by questa on Jul 11, 2019 0:38:29 GMT
If you decide on using wheels get the biggest back wheels possible. small wheels will only slow you down and you will be forever dragging the pack not rolling it.
Next bit is hard to explain, bear with me...take a soft loop of cord and pass it around the handle and through the loop just made. You now have an adjustable wrist-strap that you use to pull the cart. Now tip the cart onto its back about 45 degrees and raise or lower the cord until you feel where all the weight is on the back axle and your load will have almost no weight at all. That is the place on the loop you hold and pull with, You soon get used to grabbing it automatically in the right place.
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