Among the clothes, towels, boots, etc. that one normally packs for a trip, we also need to bring a pillow, sleeping mat, and sleeping bag. These are items that take up a great deal of space and that I would often just carry on their own. However, our methods of travel make this a bit more difficult.
First, we are riding in a van for about three hours with around a dozen people and not a lot of luggage space. Thus, they need to be relatively compact.
Second, we are first traveling by plane and will likely need to check our bags. Thus they need to be durable.
Third, we have to carry everything that we pack down a trail for about a mile and a half. Thus, suitcases are probably not the best option as a container for our packed goods. Using a backpack, and a hiking backpack at that, is probably our best choice.
I think that the packing is stressing me more than the actual trip.