Tramping Kit

Recommended Tramping Kit

The checklist below covers the clothing and equipment that’s good to have on an overnight tramp, as well as food plan ideas.
Having the right gear is a key factor in feeling comfortable and enjoying yourself. And the right gear can save your life, or another person’s life.

Whenever cadets go on a camp, course or day's activity it is strongly advised that they always bring water, sunscreen, a wide-brim sun hat, a weather-proof jacket.

Please note that these lists are only recommended. If you are unsure what to wear, ask.

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Clothing

Use quick drying & light fabric – don’t use cotton

boots
wool or wool/thermal blend socks
spare pair of socks (if trip is more than overnight or you’ll get wet feet)
gaiters
quick drying shorts
merino/polyprop bottom layer (long sleeved is more versatile)
merino/polypro top layer
fleece/woollen jersey
polypro/merino long johns
sunhat/cap
sunglasses
parka – wind & waterproof (test for waterproof at home – stand in shower/get someone to aim hose at you – though no parka is entirely waterproof in dense and continual rain!)
woollen hat or balaclava
wool or polypro gloves
wind and waterproof Over trou (essential for tops travel; not needed for bushcraft)
spare bootlace

For camping/’hut’

‘hut’/camp shoes – crocs or something light
light socks
warm leggings, top

Packing

No pack is waterproof, and certainly not after you have dunked it in a river. That’s why you need a good pack liner and bags around things inside the pack liner.

It’s essential that you have dry warm clothes to change into in the evening, a waterproof parka, and keep your sleeping bag dry in your pack

pack the heaviest stuff near the top and closest to your back – this helps with comfort & balance
pack veges/fruit in a billy
pack fuel outside your pack liner
pack things you need during the day at top or in pockets
e.g. snacks, map & compass, food, sunblock, 1st aid, camera, headtorch, extra top, lunch

If tramping at night, can be useful to have sleeping bag at the top.

Make sure your pack is adjusted properly so it is secure on you – so it doesn't slide around as you tramp. This is important for balance and comfort.

Equipment

pack
pack liner
waterproof/solid plastic bags to stow gear in pack & keep it dry
sleeping bag
sleeping bag liner
inflatable sleeping mat (if camping or if even small chance the hut you are aiming for is full)
headtorch and spare batteries
matches or lighter in waterproof container
survival blanket
whistle
map and compass
pen and paper
DoC hut tickets or hut pass
water container – 1 litre minimum – good to fill at home
mug, plastic/light metal
bowl or plate, plastic or light metal
spoon and knife, plastic or light metal
Toilet paper
Soap & small towel/wettex
Toothbrush & paste
Other personal toilet gear
Personal first aid kit – plasters, sleek, panadol, antihistamine, antiseptic cream, any personal medication (e.g. asthma inhaler)
Sunblock & lip salve
Insect repellent (if needed)

Depending on inclination, nature of trip:

camera
reading material

Group Gear

tent, fly, poles and pegs
billies
stoves and fuel - check out stove to see it’s working before the trip
first aid gear
ladle/stirrer
pothandler/potmitt
washing up gear (detergent and cleaning cloth)

Cadets Tramping on Rangitoto Island, 2014

Food

Weight and packing
Food has to be light, sturdy (or protected), long life, compact, quick and easy to prepare, nourishing, filling – and tasty. All food and ingredients, utensils, plate, mug, billies etc need to be carried.
Meals usually take longer to cook when you are tramping. Try and bring things that need short cooking and preparation times and are quite simple. If you can cook everything in one billy that is best – remember you will probably only have one stove. The shorter the cooking, the less fuel you need to carry.

On multi-day trips the weight of food that you carry becomes all-important. The more dehydrated food you can bring (either commercial or home-made) the less weight you carry. This isn't so important on overnight trips.
To save weight and space put small amounts of things into bags, plastic containers, e.g. film canisters are good for spreads. Don't bring large jars, glass containers.

Overnight trips – you can make and freeze a casserole dish – it will slowly defrost as you tramp during the day, ready to heat up in the evening! Ice cream containers are good to take a frozen meal, wrapped in a bit of newspaper and a bag.
If you are buying packets of things check quantities carefully. For example – pasta meals might say four servings – but that is half a cup each – not much when you’re tramping. Rule of thumb – if it says “serves two” when tramping it only “serves one”. Also check what ingredients you will need – most packet meals require more than just water to be added although some you can do without.

You have to carry out rubbish, including vege cut-offs etc so take things out of unnecessary packaging. Bring spare bags for rubbish.

Individuals are responsible for their own breakfast, lunch, and snacks.

Meal Idea's

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Breakfast possibilities:

Cereals, muesli, instant porridge
Instant mashed potato with instant soup, cheese etc
Fruit loaf
Rice and raisins

With these, powdered milk, fresh milk, yoghurt (if overnight), dried fruit (can soak dried fruit overnight for extra flavour)
Need something filling – to last you all morning, quick and easy so that you can get away.

Lunch possibilities:

Crackers/cabin bread
Bread (Sandwiches)
Pita Bread/bagels etc
Spreads such as cheese, hummus, salami, peanut butter, vegemite, canned fish etc - something tasty & filling – protein & some fat.
Boiled eggs
biscuits/cake
fruit/vegetables (eg cherry tomato; carrot or celery travel well cut up). Mandarins, apples – depending on length of trip, overall pack weight.

Snacks:
Scroggin (trail mix), nuts, dried fruit, muesli bars, energy bars, chocolate, sweets – expect to stop once or twice each morning and afternoon.

Dinner ideas:
Usual constituents come from the non-exhaustive list below.

Soup: 2-3 minute sachets
Carbohydrate: Pasta, Rice, Potato, couscous, quinoa
Protein: Meat, Beans, lentils, Fish, Eggs
Vegetables: Dried or fresh (can be good to cut veges up in advance)
Salt, herbs & spices
Drinks: Tea, Coffee, Milo, Drinking chocolate

Dinner is organised as a shared meal within food groups. Each group organises its dinner: a main course, and entrees and desserts if required. In your group decide who will do what. For example one person brings entrees, two the main course, one dessert. Find out if anyone is vegetarian, gluten-free, allergic, hates something; knows from experience that they need more to eat than others on a tramp.

Dessert:
Cake and custard, instant pudding and dried fruit, sponge puddings, cheesecakes, anything chocolate…… Turkish delight etc
Bring something to make it in if it requires it (e.g. instant pudding)

Beverages:
Drinks – breakfast, when you arrive at hut/campsite, evening, sometimes at lunch: bring what you enjoy; instant soup is very good for arrival at end of day.

Useful Links

Hiking Guide

The above link from outdoorwithj.com provides a detailed explanation for

Basic list with pictures
Checklist of items

Printable list from D.O.C.

Links from Tararua Tramping Club:

A lot of the information on this page has been compiled from the Tararua Tramping Club website.