BP in South America

“Hi!
I'm new to the world of backpacking- at least for more than 2 day hikes. I'm spending spring semester in Santiago, Chile, ending with a month-long trip from Macchu Picchu (peru) to the coast of Ecuador.

I plan to buy my pack there. I'd love to hear suggestions on gear and other weekend destinations in that region.

So far I'm stocked with clothes, pUr microfilter, Whisperlite Int'l, cook stuff, thermarest... Still in the market for a bag to take from Patagonia to the Amazon, a small 1-2 man tent, and what kind of pack I'll need. I'll be living out of my pack for the final 1-1.5 month, but I won't be camping the entire time.

I'd love to hear you thoughts!”

“Wow! Skeery! You're brave. I'm very new to this and don't have any suggestions. Try a thread search.”

“I think I'd buy my pack here. That way I could be sure of being able to try on the best brands and get the pack properly fitted. Unless you know of a great shop down there, you'd be taking one heck of a chance.”

“lizc,

Good for you! I've been to Patagonia (Torres del Paine National Park in Chile) and it was the most awesome place I've ever been. You can see a few of my photos on Phil's picture page if you want a preview. There's a link around this page somewhere.

I'd agree with arclite: buy your pack here if you can. You'll have a better selection and someone who speaks English well to help you! Good luck with your trip, when are you leaving? :)”

“I'm leaving jan 31. Thanks for the link to the photos- they're gorgeous. How long did you stay in Chile?

A friend of mine always lives in Chile for 6 months of the year- she's been doing this for the past ~6 years. She claims to know a great place to get a high quality pack for relatively cheap in Santiago. I'm looking around now for exactly what kind I want to get, I just plan to make the final $$ exchange there.

So tell me, are external frames a thing of the past? Things that are attractive to me right now are Kelty Flight and Gregory Whitney. Any names to stay away from? I am not married to name brand stuff, I just don't want to get stuck with a crappy pack- or any equipment- in South America.”

“lizc,

Thanks for the nice words, it's easy to get great pictures with scenery as gorgeous as that. I was there for 12 days, I think. There are lodge-type places to stay in Torres del Paine (called hosterias) or quite a few backpackers' refuge houses along the trails.

Did your friend mention that it is WINDY there? Or that a single day can be summer-like one minute, then rainy, then blowing and snowing? Be prepared for anything! :)”

“Sounds like a grand adventure! Having a friend there already will be a big help, especially if you have to buy forgotten items there. I would suggest buying your pack here too - unless your friend is a backpacker and knows what she's looking for in a pack.

Are you planning this solo or with a group? I think that may be an important consideration, as far as how much survival/emergency gear is needed.

Buenas suerte! Que te vaya bien en el sendero. :o)”