After much experimentation and purchase of total crap this is my current kitlist. I think it covers the bases fairly well and is mostly at the bargain end of the scale.
| Item | Brand | Notes |
| | |
| Shelter (only one obviously) | | |
| Tent 1 man | Hike Lite Pro | Argos special - £25 or so, great tent for the money |
| Tent 2/3 man | Vango Banshee 200/300 | No headroom but makes for a light tent for the size |
| Tarp (+guys,pegs,bungees,paracord) | DD Hammocks 3m x 3m | Big enough for a few to shelter or sleep under. Useful as a group shelter. |
| | |
| Camp/sleep | | |
| Rucksack | Vango Contour 50+10 | Does me nicely and is cheap. Will ultimately upgrade this but not sure to what |
| First aid kit | Lifesystems | I always also include cotton wool and water purification tablets |
| Firesteel / matches / lighter | Light My Fire Scout Firesteel | I always bring all 3, just in case |
| Knife | Frosts Mora | Well made cheap fixed blade camping knife |
| Glowsticks | Any | |
| GPS | Garmin Vista HCX | Great for knowing where you've been as well as where you're going |
| Head torch, spare batteries | Petzl | Must be one that can't accidentally switch on in your rucksack |
| Map, compass | | |
| Mobile in drybag | | |
| Spare head torch | Tesco | I just take off the headband. The Tesco head torch is surprisingly good |
| Sleeping bag | Alpkit Pipedream 600 | Weighs 1200g and is rated to -10c |
| Foam mat | Any type. I use an extra thick one | |
| Self inflating mat | Alpkit wee airic | ¾ length. No need for full length with foam mat underneath |
| Bivi bag | Alpkit hunka | Great for emergencies, when tarping, or for a night sleeping under the stars |
| Inflatable pillow | Tesco | Why not for all it weighs. Much more comfy than a folded fleece etc |
| | |
| Cooking | | |
| Stove | Mini trangia+meths | Cheap, weighs little, versatile |
| Cup | Any metal one | Lightest metal one you can find. Most alternatives to drink from are just annoying |
| Kitchen roll | | |
| Pot scrubber | An inch of kitchen pot scrubber | Weighs nothing, saves loads of time |
| Spork | Any | With a camping knife there's no need to bring anything else |
| Water bottle | Travel tap | Filter the dirtiest water or remove the filter and use as a normal water bottle |
| 2L water carrier | Platypus 2L foldable | Saves loads of space if you'll be collecting water where you camp |
| Kettle | Trangia kettle | Not essential but so much easier than boiling water in a pot |
| | |
| Clothes | | |
| Boots | Scarpa XCR | Good quality boot. I find all boots uncomfy - these are no exception but thats probably just my feet |
| Thermal baselayer/long johns | Tesco | For emergencies or if it's really cold. Can leave out on personal preference |
| Down vest | Berghaus | Great for sitting round in the evening or on a break. Low weight, high heat. Wouldnt leave home without it! |
| Buff | Err, from Buff | Versatile – a hat, scarf and potlifter all in one |
| Hat | Cover your bits | Any one that is warm and covers your ears |
| Gloves | Berghaus | Not mitts – they suck |
| Waterproof trousers | Regatta Isotex 5000 | Not worth buying expensive ones – you'll just rip them plundering through gorse or forests |
| Waterproof jacket | Berghaus Paclite Goretex | Breatheable is best but it's very much a personal choice. Everyone likes a different jacket |
| Baselayer | Helly Hanson Long Sleeved | I like long sleeved but any brand will do |
| Fleece | Berghaus | Any one thats reasonably warm |
| Roll down drybag | Exped medium rolltop | For spare clothes |
| Spare hiking socks / underwear | | Dry socks on when you stop in the evening, wet ones back on in the morning |
| Spare baselayer | Tiso own brand | For sleeping in. A sweaty one you've been wearing all day isn't very comfy |
That is a good list; it is always interesting to see what people bring with them.
I know I forever gurn about people weighing stuff but during a bit of free time covering an exam I did just that. I am still to compile my final list but will be there soon.
Cheers J
Matthew
I've started weighing stuff too :'(
but for my last hike my kit weighed nothing ;D i didn't bring anything that didn't fit in my pockets, so just brough hat, gloves, buff, camera and phone, everything got used, but would have been nice to make a cup of tea up donard in the snow >:( i'm now looking for a ver small rucksack so i don't get too tempted to carry too much. Travelling light is soooo much easier.
Redleader you forgot the bucket of MR Jack ;D Thats near kg.
Quote from: matthewrblack on February 01, 2011, 06:56:05 PMI know I forever gurn about people weighing stuff
This coming from someone who owns a Laser Comp :P ;)
Once you start weighing kit there is no going back... :)
Ha ha suspect thats funny. It is quite an interesting area and it's easy to get really caught up in it.
Quote from: matthewrblack on February 01, 2011, 11:47:05 PMIt is quite an interesting area and it's easy to get really caught up in it.
Especially when you are stuck driving for a couple of hours listening to two fellas (who shall remain nameless) rabbiting on about grams and dimensions ;)
I suppose I should update this list now it's been year. Although I don't see that much I would change and most switches would be preference rather than necessity.
how much of that list of stuff would be a necessity.
a lot of the stuff is just a personal choice not a necessity.
Quote from: darren on February 02, 2011, 02:24:39 PM
how much of that list of stuff would be a necessity.
a lot of the stuff is just a personal choice not a necessity.
To be honest Darren everything but the GPS, Kitchen Roll and Pot Scrubber are essentials. Especially if you are planning an overnighter in the hills
I only carry stuff that I actually use and my list is almost identical to that above, only it's all Army Issue instead of the big names.
8)
Personally I would be saying that 95% of the kit mentioned is a necessity, not only from a safety standpoint but also a comfort one.
I must admit my list is fairly similar minus the waterproof trousers and a few other bits and pieces.
Matthew
I don't bring any cooking gear, just a flask, satchet of cup-a-soup and sandwiches
Quote from: Dowser on February 02, 2011, 02:30:21 PM
Quote from: darren on February 02, 2011, 02:24:39 PM
how much of that list of stuff would be a necessity.
a lot of the stuff is just a personal choice not a necessity.
To be honest Darren everything but the GPS, Kitchen Roll and Pot Scrubber are essentials. Especially if you are planning an overnighterin the hills
I only carry stuff that I actually use and my list is almost identical to that above only it's all Army Issue instead of the big names.
8)
ill be doing an overnighter mate this sunday with scribble all being well.
il be taking very little of that.
things ill take are food water,waterproofs,one or two other things.
not bother with hat or gloves.
if i was going for 4 or 5 days id certainly take more mate.
it also depends on the weather as well.
low of 1 deg forecast for Sunday night, probably colder in the mournes, so hat and gloves essential ;)
[/quote]
ill be doing an overnighter mate this sunday with scribble all being well.
il be taking very little of that.
things ill take are food water,waterproofs,one or two other things.
not bother with hat or gloves.
if i was going for 4 or 5 days id certainly take more mate.
it also depends on the weather as well.
[/quote]
I hope your joking on that as the temp is going to be cold and maybe a bit of snow . You need to come prepared as if I'm honest I don't want to be worrying about your safety as well as my own . The kit list above is a cracking guide to what should be the minimum you should be planning to carry on a night in the hills , it's not just your safety you have to worry about but also the guys your with ,
I Will send you a pm laters