Extended Solo Travel with Climbing Gear

Hello All,

I have some questions for those of you who have done some extended travel with climbing gear. I want to do about a year long trip (solo, and maybe longer if everything is great and I still have money) that involves some climbing (maybe 3 - 4 months?) and the rest being just plain travel and learning about the cultures I will be going to (I know the two are not necessarily mutually exclusive ...).

The question comes down to the amount of gear I will be bringing. I am planning on going to Europe and Asia, so there will be very different climates. Has anyone lugged two bags around the world like this? I am thinking that one bag will be clothing and personals, and the other will be a heavy, fat bag with climbing gear. Also, because I am not sure where I will be going, is it to the best advantage to carry a tent and sleeping bag (and stove and cooking gear and ...)? Would one backpack and one duffel be the way to go? Or two backpacks? Is it easy to find a place to store things in Europe where you can come back to and have your gear all present and accounted for?

I have done some pretty extensive travel in Asia (but mostly for work), but I have barely traveled Europe at all (once for work). So any advice on how to climb and travel without having to sell everything is greatly appreciated. Any tips at all ...

Thanks!

I put everything in a hockey bag. Including my backpack. It's a pain in the ass when you're on the move, but you can keep everything you need with you. I wear it like a backpack- super heavy and uncomfortable. You just gotta utilize porters and taxis around bus stations and airports. One bonus: Nobody is even going to even consider stealing your shit! Thieves are lazy bastards!

Have a great trip!

In Central Europe (Alps) you always find luggage storage available at the railway stations and in all hotels and guest houses/lodging sites. Depending on your budget: do you plan to camp? You may in the ALps, but you may consider alpine climbing: either speed climbing in one day (up and down from/to the valley) or sleeping in the Alpine Club huts (cheaper if you are member of AAC). A stove could help depending on the kind of alpine plans you have.

have a great time Scott

That's exactly what I'd do if your itinerary makes it possible at all.

On my Mexico trip, I had to carry everything everywhere because I did kind of a loop instead of always returning to the same city between side trips. Let me tell you that carrying ice axe and crampons on the Pacific beaches isn't a lot of fun.

On my Bolivia trip, I travelled to climates ranging from high altitude mountains to Amazonian forest. However, it was much easier then since there was a central city where I could let the gear I didn't need. Find a hotel/hostel which looks trustable and leave your belongings there.

As Alex mentionned, a day-pack can be great too.

Have a nice trip,

Unless you're in a dodgy location where thieves may simply cut open your pack (or hockey bag) to see what's inside. If I'm trying to combine business and pleasure when travelling, then I usually carry my big stupid (and bomb-proof) ABS plastic suitcase with the expensive, vital stuff inside (climbing gear, goretex, summit/day pack, etc) and one large 'soft' bag for the clothes and other stuff that thieves won't find too interesting.

Suitcases are nerdy and not easy to lug around, but I like the extra security.

I did a 3 month trip with a big pack once. Once.

Now I think small. One change of clothes and a toothbrush. Climbing shoes, harness and chalkbag to hook up with other travelling climbers. Everything else gets left behind.

As to different climates, have you considered having your heavy gear meet you along the way? I have had success in the past convincing friends to hook up for short periods, and 'Hey, would you mind carting my rope & rack out with you?' That way, you only carry around the climbing stuff when you're climbing, then send it back when you head to the beach.

Another option you may want to look into is the mail. Post offices in larger cities will hold General Delivery packages for a while. Stop off in Zurich to pick up your parka and boots from the Poste Restante. When you're done in the Alps, mail them off to Nepal and head down to Nice with your small travelling pack.

Good Luck!

Jason

Have you thought about mailing your gear? If you are going to be doing all of your climbing in 4 straight months, have someone send it to you when you need it, then mail it back when you are done.

Thats what i did on a year long trip, but i was lucky to have a good friend in Bern. I flew to Zurich with tons of shit (ropes, rack, etc) and left it in Bern. 6 months later I had him mail my rope and draws to Thailand (i have friend that lives in Bangkok as well). I think it was about 60 bucks to mail from Schweiz to BKK... well worth it and I was on a SERIOUS budget. I left the shit in BKK and travellled thru laos, vietnam etc, then back to BKK and picked it up there before going back to europe. Take a small rack, if you find a partner to climb trad with, chances are they will have gear as well.

Just carry chalk and shoes, maybe harness the rest of the time. there is always a way to do it without carrying the shit, its just logistics..

If you are going to be travelling for pleasure, you really dont want extra shit. Bring a tent for Europe if you really want to save cash and camp, its cheaper than guest houses and hostals, but your less likely to get laid.

ciao,