| So you have decided to head out on a gap year | | | | If you are going somewhere hot then I am 100% |
| but you are unsure what or how to pack. In this | | | | certain that you will over pack clothes. On my |
| article, I will talk from experience, advising you on | | | | first expedition to Australia, I had convinced |
| what to pack. | | | | myself that I needed to take 3 pairs of jeans and |
| First things first, before you start packing for | | | | a couple of jumpers. These are things that were |
| your expedition, you are going to need something | | | | staples of my life back home and I couldn't |
| to put everything in. The obvious and probably | | | | imagine not needing them. A week after I had |
| correct choice is a backpack. Backpacks are very | | | | arrived, 2 pairs of jeans and both jumpers had |
| easy to pack, unpack and transport. There are | | | | been thrown away and I was spending 95% of |
| many different styles of backpack on the market | | | | my time in board shorts and a t-shirt. |
| so the best advice I can give you is go to your | | | | You are probably used to thick large towels, get |
| local adventure travel store and try a few out, | | | | yourself a hand towel for showering, it will take |
| make sure you get one that fits you properly | | | | up much less space, is much lighter and will dry a |
| especially if you are heading out for 6 months or | | | | lot quicker. The slight inconvenience caused by not |
| so. You should also get one that you find visually | | | | being as comfy as you are used to when you get |
| appealing, after all, this will be also act as your | | | | out the shower will quickly be forgotten as you |
| wardrobe while you are away. | | | | experience all kinds of wonderful things on your |
| You probably have an idea of what things you | | | | gap year. |
| "need" to take away with you on your gap year | | | | Footwear should also be cut right back on. The |
| expedition. If you are female things like hair | | | | new friends you make while you are on your |
| straighteners and hair dryers are probably on | | | | expedition will be in the exact same boat as you. |
| your list. Forget about these things! Right now, | | | | You will have many great nights out without |
| you may feel like you can't live without them but | | | | needing fancy footwear. Just bring a comfy pair |
| a couple of weeks into your expeditions your | | | | of practical shoes and buy a cheap pair of flip |
| mind set will have changed and your daily routine | | | | flops if you are somewhere hot. |
| will no longer require these things. I am not saying | | | | As you can see, I really do recommend taking |
| that personal hygene will go out the window. Far | | | | less than you think you need. It may seem hard |
| from it but you will learn, and enjoy, to live | | | | to do this but even when you have cut back I |
| without these luxuries. They also take up a lot of | | | | guarantee you will be throwing these burdens |
| space. | | | | away when you land. |