Great to hear your experiences Cathy. Must have been a great trip! You should do it again sometime. I bet it would be really interesting to see how places have changed since the 80's! I will certainly take what you say on board. I was definately planning on leaving the jeans at home - will source some lightweight walking trousers of some description. Will go to my local outdoor shop to try some out and get them there. As you say it seems that underwear too is a core item i should certainly purchase beforehand.
SD you are completely right when you say that plans might change. I do not have a set itinerary, will not book a return ticket and just have an idea of the things i would like to do whilst i am in the 'area'. I'd like my itinerary to be as flexible as my kit 
I am certainly not worried about what will happen if i lose/get stolen/damage any stuff. It is just not in my personality to do so. Yeah ok so my luggage gets lost on the plane on the way there i'm not gonna be thrilled...but you know what i mean... I will take reasonable steps to try not to get anything lost etc but there will always be options, i am not going into the wilderness. Just try and but sensibly i guess.
I have considered the possibility of leaving some things with a hostel or locker or something but i would not want to plan that. I remember last time i was travelling i had the option to do so at a hostel, with the idea you would be returning to the hostel to stay afterwards. Worked out well, just not something i want to rely on.
So i think i have formulated a plan...
I will get some of the basics in order. Core stuff.
moisture wicking type boxer thingys.
trekking socks (possibly a couple of pairs of running socks too?!)
a merino (or type) baselayer (long johns/long sleeved top) (to double up to sleep in)
Couple of tshirts (again wicking/anti odour...)
Midlayer fleece/polartech/that kind of thing
Lightweight waterproof
Windshirt
Do more research into water purifiers/filters (i'll have a look at that filter) and/or wait to find a steripen on sale somewhere.
That should keep me busy. After that i will see what conditions it covers me for/how much it actually is in weight/size and make further decisions based on that.
Then afterwards find a suitably sized rucksack to fit it all in...
Of course there is all the other things too....camera/small first aid kit etc but that is easier for me to figure out myself.
One thing i was looking at was a source widepac hydration bladder. Read good reviews about them and they seem like good value so gonna take the plunge on one of them!
