Lessons Learnt

Maybe Change:

Ditch - 200W jacket, even at Rakaposhi Base Camp I didn't really need it, but who knows?

Add - extra lightweight shirt - extra pair of bike shorts

Definately Change:

Ditch - one pair of shorts, you can't wear shorts often anyway. Tent, sleeping bag and ground mat, really only need them if you cycle the border, and at the basecamp you can hire them. One T-Shirt. Woollen gloves. Chamois towel - chamois' are good at cleaning bikes and cars, not people, will go back to my cloth Menda Travel towel - only a little more space but far superior.

Add - Music! CDs, MP3, anything.

Exchange - Jeans for extra lightweight hiking pants. What posessed me to buy a bright, yellow cap? Next time get a neutral colour. Whenever I put it on, it was like a beacon - 'American over here...'

Indespensible:

Padded bike shorts, you figure it out. Water purifier, gives you a little more freedom. L/W Shirt and pants, casual, wear anywhere, washes and dries anywhere. PVC tape, use it for everything, especially to tape up your leg to prevent chain fouling.

Summary:

Basically, if you're not able to ride over the border, you don't need the gear for very cold weather, especially in June, July, August. Ditching the tent, etc, would have brought the weight down from 20 kilos (which I was happy with anyway).