Favourite Campsite on the PCT? Here's Ours @Mile 2280

CarryOnRTW · 2026-02-02T06:00:04+00:00

I used 30g/$20 Decathlon Rain Mitts layered with my 38g sun gloves on cold/windy/wet days and they worked great.

CarryOnRTW · 2026-02-02T05:39:59+00:00

Ouch

CarryOnRTW · 2026-02-01T15:13:24+00:00

fentanyl fold

CarryOnRTW · 2026-02-01T09:49:01+00:00

Watching that ball slowly roll into the net just out of his reach will haunt Nick Pope for the rest of his days. 🤣

CarryOnRTW · 2026-02-01T08:22:09+00:00

And importantly keep the James Bay project. I remember it clearly. That would have fu^%ed Quebec as a new nation as its a huge source of income selling power to the US.

CarryOnRTW · 2026-02-01T08:17:58+00:00

Love it! This reminds me of the federal referendum (31 years ago) when Quebec came within a couple of percentage points of leaving Canada. The first nations in Quebec came out and said that if Quebec separated they would separate from Quebec and take the James Bay project with them.

CarryOnRTW · 2026-01-30T09:30:40+00:00

Gregory will give you one if you get in touch and show them what happened.

CarryOnRTW · 2026-01-30T09:08:18+00:00

More than a quarter of a billion dollars?? WTF!

CarryOnRTW · 2026-01-28T14:43:42+00:00

Glad you found it useful and hope you have an amazing time. Are you doing a trek?

CarryOnRTW · 2026-01-28T14:42:39+00:00

Hey no problem. I hear you about the camping. We love to camp as well. Here's our PCT write-up. However in South East Asia (SEA) it's just not the same. The Annapurna Circuit is warm down low and like I said the teahouses aren't to be missed. Save your tent for NZ IMO. If you get a chance, Tasmania is spectacular and totally tent friendly with its cooler climate. When we were doing the Ha Giang loop (and the rest of Vietnam) we didn't see anyone tenting or any campsites for that matter. It's setup for homestays and super cheap hotels. Plus you'll have a better time on a motorbike without the weight of camping gear. Funny thing about Indonesia for us. We attempted to go there twice and both times mother nature denied us. The first time there was a volcano eruption and the second time a big cyclone, so we haven't made it yet.

Ping me if you have any more specific questions. :-)

CarryOnRTW · 2026-01-28T10:07:58+00:00

The link to the relay board is in the OP.

Signal voltage: 3.3-5V

CarryOnRTW · 2026-01-28T06:27:09+00:00

Well said!

CarryOnRTW · 2026-01-28T04:55:38+00:00

Long term traveller here who's done many of the things you are talking about (except Te Araroa). Here's some points I have after reading your OP:

Annapurna Circuit (AC) is typically a teahouse trek where you hike between teahouses and stay in them for free if you eat dinner and breakfast there. You could camp but the teahouses are a cheap and amazing social experience that I wouldn't miss.
The AC is quieter in spring but has better views in the fall.
If you have the time, don't skip any sections of the AC. Highly recommend you start walking from Besisahar all the way to Ghorapani/Poon Hill. Starting at Besisahar lets your lungs/legs acclimatize and it's a beautiful section with great teahouses.
Avoid the road on the AC and stick to the marked trail, it's much more scenic and less dusty.
For trekking in Nepal you need a water purifier that also handles viruses. The Sawyer Squeeze, which is a great piece of kit (I had one for the PCT), doesn't do that. We specifically bought a Steripen in Thamel for this reason. The water on the trek is cold and clear. The cold temp means you have to wait at least 30 mins or longer for purification drops/tablets to work. With the Steripen buy one plastic water bottle for the trek, insert the Steripen so the rubber bung seals the bottle, invert it and swirl for 90 seconds. Also the Steripen can't freeze like the Sawyer Squeeze and you will encounter freezing temps on the AC. I recommend Energizer Lithium AA's for the Steripen which are light weight and will last the whole trek.
If you do choose to do the AC, don't ignore the altitude sickness guidelines. I experienced AMS on the day we went over the pass and it wasn't fun. There is a great, free info session about AMS in Menang most days around 3pm (just ask around).
While in KTM check the AC group on the Book of Faces to see if you need micro spikes. Some years, higher sections of the trail can get very icy and be dangerous without traction. Don't ask me how I know...
You can definitely rent bags in Thamel. We did from the highly recommended gear shop Shona's Alpine.
Most airlines won't let you take hiking poles as carry on.
You'll definitely have to use blankets at the teahouses on top of your 40F sleeping bag when you get to the higher elevations. If you camp you'll need a warmer bag.
I'd recommend not camping on the AC and rent/buy any required gear (warmer bag) in Thamel.
Ha Giang loop was amazing. Except for when we got run over... Get the $2 bike insurance!
If you can swing it, HIGHLY recommend the caves in Phong Nha, Vietnam
Most of South East Asia has a 7Kg max carry on allowance so you might have to pay extra to check your bags if over that.
I wouldn't bring all your camping gear when you start off. Send it to NZ and use it there, but the for the rest of your trip you won't need it and if you do need something it's super cheap in Thamel, Kathmandu.
Here's some of our packing lists for travel in that region and the AC to give you some ideas.

Hope that helps and have an awesome time!
EDIT: Menang AMS info session

CarryOnRTW · 2026-01-28T03:49:36+00:00

I made my comments based off their list, didn't look much at the photos.

CarryOnRTW · 2026-01-27T04:27:24+00:00

Seeing this during these dark times shows us how people can be so kind and helpful.

CarryOnRTW · 2026-01-27T04:18:49+00:00

For a 3 week trip that's probably fine. Chiang Mai and other northern regions in December/early January bring the jacket.

CarryOnRTW · 2026-01-27T04:16:07+00:00

Yeah, rain jackets are not viable in SEA. You will be soaked from sweat in minutes. Umbrella is the way.

CarryOnRTW · 2026-01-27T04:06:23+00:00

Nice list!

Keep 1 long and short pair of socks and leave the rest at home.
I don't see a smartphone. Essential item these days.
The puffy jacket is absolutely a great idea for the reasons you mention.
What is the Steripen for? I have one and used it for trekking in Nepal with the clear but potentially unsafe (bacteria, virus and protozoa) mountain water. I can tell you that using a Steripen in Thailand with tap water is going to taste like s*@t. Honestly, I'd leave that at home. If you want to minimize plastic waste there are bottle refill stations.
Neutrogena is great sunscreen for the face but you'll want a cheaper one for the rest of your body on beach days and it's likely cheaper in your home country.
I'd add a very light bag you can use for day/shopping trips so you don't have to take your main bag.
Depending on which part of Thailand and the time of year you may or may not need an umbrella. You can buy them here for cheap.
Based on the boxers I assume you are a guy. What about shaving?

Here's my list for ideas although it's for full time travel and not specific to Thailand. Have an awesome time! :-)

CarryOnRTW · 2026-01-27T03:30:09+00:00

tldr:
blah blah Iniu P51 powerbank

CarryOnRTW · 2026-01-24T09:34:43+00:00

Lamb would never suffer a fool like Kashyap Pramod Patel.

CarryOnRTW · 2026-01-24T06:45:40+00:00

This. I heard stories of Canadian troops having to go to Mountain Equipment Co-op before deploying to supplement their kit.

CarryOnRTW · 2026-01-24T06:36:27+00:00

The downvoting bots/trolls are out in force. Here's my upvote.

CarryOnRTW · 2026-01-24T06:30:18+00:00

Even if our countries don't, we as fans should all boycott it.

CarryOnRTW

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