Missed essentials — Someday Sherpa

Mar 7

Mar 7 Missed essentials

I'm sure it doesn't matter how much time you dedicate to planning, pre-packing, packing, re-packing...and then starting all over, you're guaranteed to hit the road missing certain items. It might only take seconds, or as long as 6 months for this realisation to occur but I promise it's as likely as meeting an Englishman who talks about the weather.

Now not all items make you break down in tears, or more likely hit the nearest bar and get smashed consoling yourself, but each and every one will carry with it resentment, annoyance or even negative repercussions.

Here's a list of some of our more memorable items. (Note: As the Sherpa I don't mind forgetting stuff, it is in fact encouraged through mind games and appearing overly productive and organised).

CENTRAL AMERICA:

Wedges. Not door wedges as I thought but some form of shoe to help lift Lisa above the ever-occurring puddles thanks to tropical downpours. (Lisa)
Strappy sandals. The problem with having lived in Sydney's Eastern Suburbs is Havianas and Birkenstocks don't always match the desired drinking establishment (Lisa)
Water purifying bottle. You can't safely drink tap water in any Central American country so this would have saved us killing the planet through plastic bottles (Both)
Bigger beach bag. What else can she want me to carry - isn't it enough to know the beach bar sells margaritas! (Lisa)

SOUTH AMERICA (so far):

Casual shoes that aren't fu**ing boat shoes. After 4 months of these being my 'smart' shoes I finally tired of them. This led to 3 problems. (AJ)
1: Cartagena happened to be a shopping Mecca so I bought 2 pairs but had to send them home to avoid destroying them
2: They're still required so I can't throw them out
3: Did I say they're still required despite me being bored of them!!!

HIKING / PATAGONIA:

Waterproof trousers (super dooper light weight). Patagonia is synonymous with rain so why these weren't included in Lisa's bag is beyond me. In truth only I suffer as mine have been 'borrowed' on a permanent basis. (Lisa)
Hip flask for rum. A skiing staple that takes the edge off cold weather. Secretly it also makes you feel a little bit bad-ass 😎. (AJ)
Really good down jacket. Best laid plans and all.
Lisa: A shitty Uniqlo one, impossible to replace. Note: don't leave it until Patagonia to do this as it's spine-tinglingly expensive.
AJ: I had a quality jacket which was packed in a bag and left in California to be delivered at Xmas. Slight confusion as the bag said 'mosquito net' so having forgot about its contents I requested for it to not be brought 😖. Cue Mum bringing one out from the UK #lifesaver. Result...I'm warm and Lisa wears more layers.
Ugg boots. Wishful thinking but more likely than underfloor heating in a tent. (Lisa)
Half leg gaiters. Not some weird take on the swamp-dwelling beasts but instead protection from the elements for boots and feet. This is a no-brainer. (Both)
Boxer shorts. While on the subject of clothing this seems appropriate. I finally know what it's like to be my brother (has at times zero regard for clothes reasonable lifespan prior to washing). Admittedly laundry failures led to this but only 2 pairs for 5 days of hiking and tent sleeping left Lisa walking a few paces further away!
Spare camera batteries. A major form of frustration. How is it possible to not find a standard Canon battery in Buenos Aires (ridiculously big city) and major Patagonia tourist spots. There's clearly an open market for this gear as one broken lens or lost battery could ruin a $10,000 Antartica experience. At the rate we click away, two spares would be perfect (AJ)