Bushwalking Gear

Ever wondered what was inside a bushwalkers big pack? Here is what I carry on a long distance walk in cold climates. The gear opposite weighed about 33 kilograms.

Don't know if this is of interest to you but I did the list because I forget to put things in my pack.

Bushwalking Gear Checklist.
	Tent, pegs, poles	Clothing
	Tent groundsheet	Spare socks, inner and outer, one set/two day
	Stove, including billy and one eating bowl and tongs	Spare underwear, one per two days
	Fuel bottle, fuel. I use butane gas.	Thermal Underwear, light grade, top and bottom, for the campsite and sleeping.
	Two three litre "Platypus" water containers	Medium Grade Thermal top and bottom. To walk in in snow/ etc conditions.
	Sitting groundsheet	Beany
	Two spare plastic bags plus strong bags for clothing, food and lunch	Gloves, 2 light versions. (For photo taking) Poly and silk, for layering for warmth
	Gaiters	Gloves, water/windproof
	Whistle, always around my kneck	Warm pants, synthetic.
	Map, in heavy plastic cover	Warm jacket, synthetic.
	Insect repellant	Rain Jacket
	Sunscreen	Rain Pants
	Compass, binoculars	*Food (one day only)*
	Headlamp, spare battery	Breakfast – Meusli
	Knife	Lunch - Jelly Beans, Cheese, Peanut Butter, Dehydrated Fruit Leather.
	Matches, in film canister, plus spares
	Toilet paper	Dinner - Lentils; Dehydrated - vegetables, rice and meat; spices; Apricot slice
	Trowel (to dig a hole for sanitary waste)
	Container for Lunch	Tea, artificial sweetener.
	Eating splade	Tea, artificial sweetener.
	Eating splade	Snack - scroggin, a mix of nuts and berries and dried fruit.
	Sunglasses, for walking in the snow and windy conditions
	Sleeping bag	Vitamins
	Sleeping bag liner	*First Aid Kit*
	Sleeping mat	1, 2, 5inch bandages
	Pack towel	Thermal blanket
	Pot scrubber	Scissors
	Dishwashing liquid	Pen knife
	Shower cap (put inside billy to wash self and cover the camera when raining)	Knee bandage
	Tea holder, for the tea leaves.	Ankle bandage
	Pack cover, if likely to rain a lot. (Also a cover for the tripod)	Aspro, Electrolyte replacement tablets
	*Emergency Kit*	Triangular bandage
	EPIRP	Vaseline
	Thin wire	Eye bandage
	10 metres of "twine"	Gauze pads
	Patches for tent and sleeping mat.	Band aids
	Seamgrip (glue)	Safety pins
	Tent pole repair length	Antiseptic lotion
	Salt	Sinus tablets

The above would be what I carry for a winter walk in the high country.

I carry this much because I tend to go by myself and prefer walks lasting three or more days. In addition to the above is a tripod, film, filters, cleaning gear, two camera bodies, flash and three lenses - this weighs about 10 kilograms.

For winter walking I will wear either 3/4 nylon pants and/or thermal long johns. The shirt will be either short sleeved nylon and/or a polarplus 100 fabric, depending on how cold it gets, either long sleeved or short. A hat too. I always wear boots, I have had two bad ankle injuries. I find two pairs of socks give no blisters. For summer walking just the pants and shirt. If no one else is likely to be around, occasionally my birthday suite.

I also stand around taking photos. Eg pre dawn in the snowy mountains in winter snow can be very cold, so it is not uncommon to have three-four layers of clothes on and both sets of gloves in these conditions. If you were just bushwalking then you could carry one less layer as you would be the sensible one inside your warm sleeping bag.

Knee length gaiters are always worn if I am walking by myself. (For protection from scrub and snakes)

I also use two walking sticks/snow poles. Should have been using them years ago, remarkable how much easier it is going up and down with them.

For snow conditions I will include a snow shovel, snow shoes and wear overshoes.

I have a Macpac Minaret, a 2 person tent for the snow and windy places, and a Hilleberg Akto. A remarkable 4 season tent that weighs 1.5kg. For lightweight camping I use a very roomy 2 person Tarptent, which weighs 1.1kg

I have cut two two litre plastic milk containers in half and slide them together. Inside I put my tea, tongs, spoon, matches, washing up liquid and tea strainer.

I always finish a walk with a minimum of one days extra food.

Starting pack weight for a fortnights walking in Tassy or the high country of NSW is 30-35kg. Finishing weight is around 20-25kg. Normal weight for a few days is around 25kg, with the camera gear.

I exercise a lot too, I need to.

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