| Clothing | Personal and Emergency Equipment | Personal Camping Equipment | Group Camping Equipment |
Boots |
Map and Map Case |
Sleeping Bag Liner |
Tent Stove Fuel Canteen Trowel Food |
Additional
Gear for a Leader |
|||
| Gaffer
Tape, Plastic Bags, Spare Hat and Gloves, Waterproof Paper and Pencil,
|
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When you go away, make a list of what you take. On your return look at the list, could you leave some of it behind without compromising safety.
Clothing
The Layer System
Using a system of layers means you can regulate your temperature by adding or taking off clothing.
Base Layer aka Thermals
This needs to trap
a layer of warm air next to the skin, helping to retain body heat. It also
needs to wick away moisture from the skin to help keep you warm and dry.
These are available in different weights, lightweight thermals for high activity
sports, midweight for trekking and leisure, heavyweight for severe cold or
low activity.
Mid Layer aka Fleeces
Carrying on the good
work of the base layer, they need to provide insulation and be breathable.
Modern fleeces come in a variety of materials, different weights and combined
with other layers like microfibres. These can provide varying levels of wind
and water resistance extending the use of the garment.
Shell Layer aka Waterproof
This provides protection against the wind and rain, but also needs to be breathable for the rest of the system to continue to work. There are a range of fabrics and constructions available.
Boots etc..
Match the boots to your requirements, you will probably be looking at three or four season boots, try them on, try different manufacturers, go to a shop with a proper fitting service.
General
There is a wide choice available across a wide price range. There is an element of you get what you pay for, but before buying it helps to know what activities and which seasons the clothing will be used for. In addition the more expensive garments tend to have more features like internal pockets, vents, baffles etc..
Hat, gloves and waterproofs are essential, do not let yourself get too cold or wet before putting them on.
Keep a dry set of clothing for sleeping and emergencies.
Personal and Emergency Equipment
This is the gear that
makes you a safe and independent member of the group, remember to look after
your map and compass. When working with groups make sure they don't eat their
emergency rations on the way to the venture.
Be certain all the gear for emergencies is up to the job.
Personal Camping Equipment
Ensure that the sleeping
bag you use is warm enough for you, borrow gear you know the rating of and
see if it keeps you warm. If you want to make the bag you already have warmer,
use a sleeping bag liner.
A sleeping mat is vital, it insulates you from the ground,
Rucksacks should be big enough for the job, an overfull rucksack can be uncomfortable.
Sacks designed for larger capacities usually have a more comfortable harness
system, get one to fit your back.
Group Camping Equipment
Split this between you, be fair about it.
Packing
Keep the weight down,
ideally less than one third / quarter of your body weight, certainly no more
than 15 kgs.
Use liners as very few rucksacks are truly waterproof.
Pack heavy items high and close to your back, remember first in last out.
Keep the stove and fuel separate from the food.
Everything goes in the rucksack, it is not a Christmas tree ready for decoration.
Make a list, check what you didn't need.
Make the sack comfortable, nothing digging in your back.
A wet rucksack full of wet gear will weigh a lot more.
All the gear should
be appropriate for the job.