Ah yes, one of the most popular topics on my website, the classic packing list post. Who knew that so many people would be interested in how many pairs of socks I bring on my travels…? But then, I have realised myself how helpful it is to get any additional insight at all when you’re planning for a big trip and desperately trying to work out what to jettison so that you can actually close your bag.

I find these types of adventures particularly difficult to plan for, as you just don’t know what to expect. We were told to “pack very light” and to “pack for winter and for summer”. Hmm. I should say, though, that we were only responsible for bringing our own personal gear. That meant that Quapaw Canoe Company had everything else like cooking equipment and tents, emergency and first aid kit, life jackets….

So here’s what I brought, and used, for this weeklong trip on the Mississippi River (plus a couple of days in town at either end):

Bags:
1 x waterproof duffel bag from Aquapac (70l)
1 x waterproof backpack from Aquapac (25l)
2 x sets of pack dividers from Aquapac (to keep everything organised and doubly protected inside the dry bag)
(Yes, now that I’ve purchased the proper kit I’m going to have to go on a lot more wet adventures in the future!)
1 x small, old, cross-body handbag for town

Shoes:
1 x pair of flip-flops
(And in fact I went barefoot all week in the sand! But at other times of the year when the water level is higher, you may have to camp further up and it may also get cold, in which case some old trainers or wetsuit booties are not a bad idea.)

Shorts and trousers:
2 x pairs of shorts (1 x pair denim, 1 x pair board shorts)
1 x pair of capri gym/yoga pants
1 x pair of jeans
1 x pair of sort-of-waterproof trousers
(I actually wish I had brought another pair of more comfortable trousers for the evenings, sitting around the campfire, and saved the jeans for when I was in town.)

Tops:
7 x vest tops
1 x long-sleeved shirt

Underwear and swimwear:
underwear for every day
2 x strapless bras (1 x nude, 1 x black)
1 x sports bra
2 x bikinis
2 x pairs of socks (never worn – might be useful, though, when it gets cold at night and if you’re wearing trainers)

Jumpers and cardigans:
1 x black cardigan
1 x fleece

Outerwear:
1 x light windbreaker
1 x light down jacket
1 x waterproof jacket (never worn, but you never know!)
(Some people also had a hat and gloves for the particularly cold evenings.)

For sleeping:
1 x vest top
1 x pair of shorts
1 x thermal top and bottoms (never used)
1 x sleeping bag
1 x sleeping bag liner
1 x sleeping mat
1 x camping pillow (I finally invested in a new one. Lush!)
1 x eye mask and earplugs (crucial for early sunrises and snoring/sleep-talking tent mates)

Accessories:
2 x pairs of sunglasses (you might lose a pair on the water!)
1 x cowboy hat (oh yeah)
1 x pair of earrings
2 x simple bracelets 

Toiletries:
Biodegradable body wash (Kiss My Face peace soap lavender & mandarin)
Biodegradable shampoo & conditioner (Trek & Travel, from a camping shop)
Tangle Teezer brush
Biodegradable face wipes
Deodorant, perfume
Razor (one of those with a built-in soap bar is pretty practical)
Cotton buds
Toothbrush, toothpaste, floss
Lip gloss with SPF, Vaseline
Sun cream, for face and body
Make-up – mascara, eyeliner, concealer, tinted moisturiser, blusher, lip gloss (not used on the river!)
Hair elastics
Anti-bacterial hand gel
Mosquito repellant and treatment
Tampons
Tissues
Toilet paper

Medication:
Migraine sprays
Anti-histamine tablets

Electronics:
iPhone + charger + waterproof case from Aquapac
DSLR (Nikon D5100) with 18-200mm lens + charger and extra battery
Solar charger
Adapter for the US
LED Head Torch with red light option

Admin:
Passport
American Express, Visa debit card
Dollars in cash
Small wallet

Other bits and bobs:
1 x fast-drying towel
1 x refillable water bottle (Quapaw gave us each a second one, to ensure that we had enough water during the day)
Notebook and paper

Tada! And it only required a little bit of squeezing and sitting on the bag to get it all in…

You might also be interested in:

Packing list for a 10-day road trip in the US: what to bring and what not to bring Packing list for a week of skiing: what to bring and what not to bring Packing list for three months in South America: what to bring and what not to bring Packing list for Australia, New Zealand and Asia: what to bring and what not to bring