Bag Pack

With only a few hours left until the final kit check and weigh-in, now seems the perfect time to write a post about bag packing. There is no single “right way” to pack a bag but I will take you through my preferred method.
The first thing you’ll want to do is create a kit list. You will almost certainly feel like you don’t need one when you start packing but by the time you finish there will be at least one important thing you’ve forgotten. If you’re travelling a long distance, you’ll probably have a main bag and hand luggage. I very rarely know exactly what’s going in each before I start packing but it can be helpful to list some essentials you’ll want on hand to go in your hand luggage to avoid accidentally packing them in your main bag. These could include a change of clothes (nobody wants to be sweating into their uniform for the entire duration of travel), a book and some basic toiletries. Take a look here for some ideas of what to pack in hand luggage.
I find it’s always easier to pack the main bag first. It’s easiest to look out everything on the kit list and lay it out on a surface before putting anything in the bag. Then we can group the items into categories and arrange by size. Start by placing the category including the largest items (normally sleep equipment) at the back of the bag, veering toward the left. Other bulky items, such as fleeces or trousers, are piled on the right hand side of the bag. We can then fill in the gaps, remembering to keep items grouped into categories as this will make the bag easier to navigate later. An important space saving tip is to roll rather than fold wherever possible.

Hand luggage has a different approach. I normally use a rucksack, so it’s important to keep any items I’ll need on hand toward the top. It’s not fun to go rooting through a bag for that important document you packed first – and is consequently at the very bottom of the bag. Once again, we can start by grouping items but this time arrange by size and likelihood of requiring quick access. Start by placing any bulky or less important items at the bottom of the bag and work your way up, with important items at the top. If your rucksack has outer pockets use these for small, important items such as your passport.
Finally, throughout the packing process make sure to tick off items from the kit list as you pack them. That way you’re less likely to trick yourself into thinking you’ve packed something which is still lounging in a cupboard. If you wish to pack something which isn’t on the kit list, ask yourself – if it’s important enough to warrant taking, why didn’t I include It on the list? It’s probably not that important after all.

Hopefully everybody on the expedition has finished packing by now – each with their own method of packing.