Been a while since my first post because I haven't had much to update. We went shopping for backpacks today and ended up sticking with the choices we made a few months ago, both from Mountain Designs.

I have this one, the Columbus 65L:

and J has the Pangea 75L:
I'll post more pics once we have them filled and are wearing them, slightly worried about fitting my life into here though!! We did get a GREAT deal on prices, Mountain Designs at DFO Canberra currently has a big sale on. Mine was RRP $399.95, final price $191; and J's- RRP $319.95, final price $156 I think. I was so pleased because we were ready to shell out 300 each, I can't really write about doing your research to get the best deal though because despite having tried to look for MD sales it was only by chance that we turned up today when this sale began. I believe it's 20% off until Sunday 15th.

Both packs open on the side (by that i mean they have a zipper so you can open them up like a suitcase and don't have to dig through from the top) and have detachable day packs, rain covers and infinite zippers, pockets and buckles. I'm going to have a play once exams are done to see if I can work out where everything goes... and will let you know what I think of it in more detail then.

Other things I've "invested in" for the trip- tripod, spare batteries and cases for video and still cameras.