Hi I'm a duke of edinburgh award participant and have been given basic training-all my gear is cobelled together!! I have very basic outdoor experience BUt i hope if any of you guys could scrutinize my gear!

It is for a 15mile a day hike for two days (30miles in total) over hilly ground-sleeping at a "wild campsite". We are travelling in a 4 but 2lads 2 lasses means we spliting out gear into pairs-i share my gear with another lad-things like tent, stove! It will be done in England In either this summer or this autumn!

What i need to know!

1) How big do you think i need a sack to be in litres preferably! (to haul all this stuff around )

2)From this kit list how could i make weight savings?

3) Any usefull hints and tips-we are doing a couple of training walks!

Weight in Grams
PSK 100
sandwich bag
30cm plastic tube
10 strike anywheres
10ft of paracord
button compass
anti-septic wipe
2 heel plasters
2 paraceatmol
3 trick birthday candles
1 sharpened blade
1 BCB Flint+striker
1 very small sewing kit
10 puritabs
50p coin

Wash kit 290
soap
toothpaste
tooth brush
pack towel
lavender oil

Emergency rations 270
Beef jerky
kendal mint cake
2 power bars

Orange bag+esbit stove 540

Petzl Tikka 75

EDC 500
Mini-Mag
Leatherman Wave
Fox 40

Coleman sleeping bag 850

Metal Bowl + Cup 270

Sigg Bottle +1l Meths 720

FA Kit 630

Spare Clothing 670

My bit of tent 1000

Stove Carried by other person

Other Bits 150
Spare batts + bulbs
Matches
Washing up liquid
Tea/Milk(dried)/Curry powder
Fork + Spoon

Map + Compass 30

Windproof/waterproof-jacket+bottoms 100


Thanks very much-sorry it's so long!

M

When I did my duke of edinburgh award, I used a 120 litre PLCE british army bergan, and regreted it. I had to much unnessercary kit, but yours sounds much better. Having come to my senses, I now use a lowe alpine 45 litre pack which fits my requirments. I think 45 litres would be sufficient for the amount you are carrying seeing as you are sharing the load. However, if you are planning on doing more hiking, you may want a larger one to stop you from buying 2 packs.

Hmm.

I would carry a second liter of water to be safe.

My only other suggestion is to make a trial run by camping overnight in the garden (or even the living room) to see what you are lacking.

BTW: What is the Duke of Edinburgh award? I asked my Scottish mother but she didn't know.


Chris

You could always make sure the bag is big enough for two and work a deal with one of those lasses to share it. Then you could split the time carrying it with her. <img src="images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />

That should help.

Welcome to the forum!

1) What is the lavender oil for?
2) Make sure your soap is biodegradable
3) A second knife to compliment the wave would be usefull.
4) I never take a fork with me on my hkes - i've got my pocket knife, bowl, mug, spoon and hands <img src="images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />

Oh, and what is the Duke of Edinburgh Award? Enjoy the hike.

The Duke of Edinburgh award was created by-----the Duke of Edinburgh. It is a volunteer program for 14-17y/os. Participants are involved in many community,educational and self growth projects for personal and community betterment. There are bronze,silver,gold levels. The program is active in many commonwealth nations and a few others. This information courtesy of my mechanic, who was a soccer hooligan in his youth <img src="images/graemlins/shocked.gif" alt="" />

Your sleeping bag worries me. Coleman bags are OK for car camping, but they are rather bulky and heavy for backpacking, relative to their warmth. What model of their bag will you carry? I looked at the Coleman web page and all their current models have more fill weight (much lighter than total weight) than the 850 g you have listed for your bag. The most important thing is will it be warm enough for the conditions you will encounter on your hike. I am sure you can get a lighter, warmer, less bulky bag, but guess what? It will be a lot more expensive! Carry what you have and if you like the outdoors, make a really good bag a high priority for a future purchase. You won't regret it.

Four of you ought to be able to share onr cook set and stove just fine, for more weight saving.

To follow up on another suggestion, there are bags that convert from single to double. They do come in handy.

Mark,

I would consider the following:

Possible deletions:
Light -- delete your least desirable light. Substitute as a backup something like a Photon, Solitaire, or whatever.
Toothpaste -- brushing with plain water should sufficiently clean your teeth for 2 days unless you have special dental needs.

Possible additions:
Disposable butane lighter
More paracord
Duct tape
Sleeping pad
Map
Camera ?
Waterproof match safe
Poncho
Additional knife

I'm not sure what your water carrying/purifying capacity. Keep in mind you need to have an absolute minimum of 4 liter water capacity per day.

I didn't see any non-emergency food listed.

As I look at my suggestions, I suspect that they may actually have added significant weight.

Good luck,

John

Thanks soi much-i didn't expect this kind of response-i aim to respond to you all individually!

Cheers

Mark

Some good points- much appreciated

Iam carrying a 2litre platypus waterhoser and a 1l sealed bottle of weater for emergencies!
(in the area i will travel i antcipate to find water which when sterilised will be drinkable!

There will be food to eat be seeing as i don't know the weight i decxided to leave it off!!

Thanks!