This is a packing list I used for a recent 2-month trip through 6 European countries, including a couple in eastern Europe. It is essentially the same list l used for a similar 3-month trip a few years ago. It is also the same list I use for most trips longer than 2 weeks. Excel is great. However, it is modified to take into account: location, season(s), anticipated weather, available services and amenities, road or trail conditions (if known), general information about the area, my objectives, and duration of tour.

On this summer's tour, I wish I'd have taken a spare tire. There was a 2-3 week stretch where it would have been a real challenging situation if a tire failed. It was a case where I did not have adequate information, and made the decision not to carry a spare based on saving weight, not on knowledge about the route. A couple of freeze dried dinners, which we often carry for emergencies, would also have come in handy. Again, left out to save a little weight.

We encountered temperatures ranging from the low, wet 40's to the low 100's. We used everything that we had. We also planned on spending time in several larger cities and wanted some "nice" clothes and good walking shoes.