Day Trips
We have prepared the following list to help you prepare for a typical day trip. In a comfortably fitting day pack you should have the following:
- Lunch, snacks - be generous and tasty.
- Drinking water - in an unbreakable bottle. Take plenty in summer when it is hot! Take water rather than juice.
- Raincoat or parka with a hood or separate rain hat.
- Warm layer.
- A torch: just in case (with spare batteries).
- Plastic bag (or similar) to sit on when having lunch. Keeps the old bottom dry!
- Toilet paper.
- Personal First-Aid Kit: see our suggestions below or refer to the Mountain Safety Council website for recommendations for what should be considered for inclusion.
- Medical Details form: keep in a zip lock bag in a front pocket of your back-pack (available under ‘Forms’).
- Whistle.
- Money to cover tramp cost.
- Optional extras: gaiters (especially good in muddy conditions) and walking poles (especially useful on uneven terrain and when crossing rivers).
- In winter add: warm hat, gloves, thermos (optional but nice), extra warm layer.
- In summer add: sunhat, sun cream, sunglasses, shorts.
- Leave a spare change of clothing, including footwear, in the van. If you arrive back at the van soaking wet, and there is a 3 hour drive back to Hamilton, you will be pleased you remembered this.
Also, bring a plastic bag for dirty boots and clothes to keep the vehicle and other people’s belongings clean.
Multi-day Trips
Much will depend on where you are going and the time of year. There are numerous trip list suggestions on the internet and the exact requirements can be discussed in more detail with the trip leader if necessary.
Personal First Aid Kit
The following is provided as a general guide only. Members are encouraged to do their own research to ensure they feel comfortable that they are carrying what they may require:
- Crepe bandage
- Pain relief (e.g. Paracetamol)
- Triangular bandage cloth
- Antihistamine tablets
- Plastic strip dressing or plasters
- Non-adherent sterile dressings (2 or 3 of various sizes)
- Hikers’ wool or similar for preventing blisters
- Pencil & ‘Patient Care’ forms and notes (available under ‘Forms’)
- Safety pins
- Insect repellent
- Strapping tape
- Micropore tape (can be used for wound closure)
- Scissors
- Personal medication
- Disposable gloves
