What's on your gear list?

im ultra uber new to the tramping world, im going travelling to new zealand as part of my gap year. im not sure what size bag i would need. I suppose it depends on the length of the hike. Ive bought a 25litre day pack would this be big enough for a 3day hike for example?? id appreciate your help.

Hi Hannah. I notice your profile invites people to contact you but you don't accept mail. Thought this might be an oversight. You can change in your profile. Hike length does not make a huge difference to how much gear you take. Take clothing based on conditions, not length (just wear the same stuff over and over). You might be able to get away with a pack like that on tracks such as the Abel Tasman. But I'd suggest you can't take enough gear in there for an overnight trip into alpine areas. You have to be prepared for the worst conditions. Hmm perhaps it would be enough for the Kepler or Routeburn as long as it was full of warm clothing. I note Macpac have a 35L tramping pack (http://www.bivouac.co.nz/shop/packs/tramping/macpac-amp-light35), but that's possibly the lower limit. For comparison, mine is 85.

Don’t forget to pack a few FexoTabs (Telfasts) in your first aid kit. They are recommended for Relief for the symptoms of Itchy Skin Rash/Hives. It happened to my friend on Stewart Islands (Rakiura)NW Circuit six years ago. While having fun in rock pools at Mason Bay (South) her lower part of right leg was stung and a FexoTab did help. Check out the link, a photograph of me at the bay. Love to be back there. file:///C:/Documents%20and%20Settings/Dzung/My%20Documents/My%20Homepage/Temp/nwDatMason.jpg

This is on my gear list: PARKA – waterproof with hood OVERTROUSERS – windproof GAITERS or PUTTEES – to keep out gravel BOOTS – sturdy, good fit, protected with dressing/polish SOCKS – 2-3 pairs in good condition* HAT or BALACLAVA* GLOVES or MITTENS* UNDERWEAR* LONGJOHNS/TROUSERS* TOPS – 2 medium weight* JERSEY or JACKET – 2, 1 lightweight* SHORTS – quick drying COTTON SHIRT and SUN HAT – optional; for use in fine weather. PARTY EQUIPMENT FOR FOUR TENT and/or FLY – waterproof with long guy ropes. BILLIES – 2 or 3 aluminium or stainless steel, with lids. Use billy bags. FRYING PAN (optional) – aluminium or stainless steel, small. STOVE – white gasoline, methylated spirits, or gas stove, spare fuel, and primer if required. POT SCRUBBER FIRST AID KIT – lightweight but comprehensive. Include mending gear. CORD – length of strong nylon cord. ‘SAFETY IN THE MOUNTAINS’ – booklet MOUNTAIN RADIO PERSONAL EQUIPMENT PACK – with waterproof liner such as yellow MSC packliner. Pack should be light, strong, comfortable, 60-90 litres for overnight trips. Carry up to one quarter your weight. SLEEPING BAG – good quality down or synthetic fibre. Pack in stuff bag. Keep dry in plastic bag. GROUNDSHEET – lightweight, waterproof; plastic or polylaminate. Use the MSC Survival Bag as a groundsheet. SLEEPING MAT – closed cell foam, or a self-inflating airbed. MAP OF AREA – in clear plastic cover. FIRST AID KIT – small, with insect repellent and suncream. COMPASS – base-plate type. Learn how to use it. MATCHES/LIGHTER – in waterproof container. EMERGENCY FIRE STARTER – solid fuel, candle or strips of rubber inner tube. TORCH – small with spare bulb & batteries. PLATE AND MUG – unbreakable. Bowl may do for both. DRINK BOTTLE KNIFE – sheath or pocket. KNIFE, FORK & SPOON BOOTLACES – spare set, or cord. PLASTIC BAGS AND TIES – various sizes for food and clothing. TOILET GEAR – soap, toothbrush, toilet paper, small towel. SURVIVAL KIT – whistle, cord, fish hooks & line, sharp knife, pencil & paper, first aid items, plastic bags, survival sheet, firelighters. HUT TICKETS/ANNUAL HUT PASS – purchased from the Dept of Conservation

I've been very impressed with the lists as above and for what its worth here is mine which had suited me for 10 days away. Gear list (As my main drive for heading into the outdoors is in the pursuit of venison, some of my gear items are specific to that task) Personal items: Woollen socks Mendel boots Gaiters Polyprop leggings Shorts Fleece underwear Icebreaker singlet Swazi Pro hunter fleece shirt Swazi Severn top Swazi fleece beanie Belt with: Svord curved skinner knife 5 ¾ “ Survival kit, inside an old “Erinmore” tobacco tin Topo map of area Whistle on paracord around neck Silva compass Etrex GPS Sako 75 Hunter (7mm-08) Pack Macpac (Cascade 75L) Plastic survival bag Sleeping bag (Domex Pioneer) Silk sack sleeping bag liner Thermarest mattress ¾ length Bum bag for day hunts/walks Swazi Wapati Coat (rain coat) Blaze orange vest Polyprop gloves Spare socks Spare icebreaker singlet Spare fleece underwear Jandals Mug (1 ltr) Spoon 1 ltr billy & lid Pot grabber Doite spider gas cooker & spare canister (2 hours constant cooking at max flame) Tea towel Silva headlight DOC Annual Hut pass/card Toilet paper 2L platypus water bladder Bic lighter First aid kit Tea candles Swiss Army knife Paper back book (always leave behind at hut for someone else to enjoy) Notebook & pencil Tent fly Fire starters Spare batteries-AAA & AA for headlight and GPS

As for reading material I found this fabulous weight saving alternative to a whole book: Go to http://www.readprint.com and select a classic. (This is especially useful for me at the mo as I am already reading one of the listed titles). Copy a few chapters into your word processor. Shrink down the font size and the page margins. Print it back to back (Odd pages first, then flip them for the evens). And hey presto: A load of book for next to no weight. And you can start a fire with it once it's read too :)

A similar option to the above is that Penguin have produced a series of classic books in the original Penguin paperback format. These are small and light and of no frills and sell for $12.99 each. I don't read a lot when tramping but thought I might grab a few of these for when I do. See the bright orange stand at your local bookshop or go to http://www.mcleodsbooks.co.nz/category/Classics_860.html

I ran through everything in this thread and it turns out that what is below is our collective packing list! Looks pretty comprehensive. Although, I don't want to carry it all. Clothes Balaclava Boot Laces Boots Down Jacket Fleece Beanie Fleece Jacket Fleece Jersey Gaiters Gloves Hat Hi-Vis Vest Jandals Merino Mid-Weight Top Polyprop Leggings Sandals Shorts Socks Trousers T-Shirt Waterproof Jacket Waterproof Over-Trousers Accessories Batteries Candles Cordage Emergency Fire Starter Fish Hooks & Line Headlamp Hunting Knife Knife Notebook Paper Pen Pencil Plastic Bags Pocket Knife Rubber Safety in the Mountains Booklet Strapping Tape Survival Kit Ties Torch Watch Whistle Kitchen Bowl (Doubles as a lid) Dish Washing Liquid Fork Frying Pan Fuel Gas Cooker Hydration Bladder Lighter Matches Mug Plate Pot Pot Holder Scourer Spoon Tea Towel Water Bottle Hygiene Deodorant Insect Repellant Medication Soap Sunblock Toilet Paper Toothbrush Toothpaste Towel First Aid Kit Chapstick Houses Bivi Bag Groundsheet Hut Tickets Pack Cover Pack Liner Sleeping Bag Sleeping Bag Liner Sleeping Pad Tent Tent Fly Hobbies Camera Camera Digital SLR iPod Telephoto Lens Small Book Playing Cards Navigation Compass GPS Map Mountain Radio Carrying Bum Bag Day Pack Pack

has any body apart from madpom and pmcke ever actually used the fishing line and hook and actually caught something other than an eel

I do not include a fishing line + Hook but I sometime take a fly rod + gear in my pack, sometimes I forget to remove it or changed plans so its been taken to the top of several mountains. When its a coastal walk I have been known to take a full Surf casting set-up, I been eying up a multi-piece rod from the UK recently. Should be great for tramps which have camping near the beach. http://www.totalseamagazine.com/Reviews/page_11/article_10/