Thursday, December 08, 2005

The Dreaded Blog Entry About Gear

I want to preface this entry by saying I know nobody cares about what gear I bring on this trip. I have listened to some podcasts and read some blog entries that go on ad nauseam about gear, and it just ends up being a bunch of data I can't use. That said, however, it doesn't seem like a discussion of our trip would be complete if I didn't at least write down a list of the stuff we're planning on bringing along with us for our adventures.

I'm writing about this today because I had a low-level gear-inspired panic attack last night after I went to bed.

Here's the list that Africa Travel Resource provided to us; most of this is for the Kilimanjaro part of the journey only. Feel free to move on to the next blog entry right now if you hate reading this stuff as much as I do!
  • Soft kit bag for porters to carry my main mountain gear
  • Small (30-40 liter) backpack
  • Rain cover for small backpack
  • Wide brimmed hat
  • Balaclava or woolly hat
  • Scarf or bandana
  • Sunglasses or goggles
  • Poncho (optional)
  • Hooded waterproof jacket
  • Four seasons duvet jacket
  • Warm upper body layers - 3
  • Upper body under layers - 3
  • Waterproof outer gloves
  • Thin undergloves
  • Gel-activated hand warmers - 2 (for summit push!)
  • Waterproof trousers / pants
  • Fleece trousers / pants
  • Lightweight trousers / pants - 2
  • Short trousers / pants - 2
  • Thermal under trousers / pants - 2
  • Underwear - 3
  • Gaiters (optional)
  • Thick socks - 3 pair
  • Thin socks - 6 pair
  • Hiking boots
  • Spare laces
  • Trainers
  • Walking poles
  • Sleeping bag
  • Inflatable sleeping mat
  • Foam sleeping mat : thin
  • Foam sleeping mat : 75mm / 3"
  • Water bottles, 1 litre - 3
  • Water purification pump (optional)
  • Water purification tablets - iodine
  • Cordial or water flavouring
  • Favourite snacks
  • High-energy bars
  • Head torch
  • Spare torch batteries - 4 sets
  • Spare torch bulb - 2
  • Pocket knife
  • Plastic bags & bin liners
  • Pencil & paper for the trip log
  • Camera plus film and batteries
  • Reading material
  • Games & cards
  • Towel
  • Toiletries
  • Lip balm
  • Ear plugs
  • Soft toilet paper - 2 rolls
  • Wet wipes
  • Spare contact lenses or glasses
  • Paperwork
  • Antacids
  • Antihistamines
  • Antiseptic wipes
  • Blister treatment
  • Dressings
  • Imodium or other anti-diarrhoeal tablets
  • Insect repellent containing DEET (not needed on mountain)
  • Knee supports etc.
  • Lemsip or other cold cure sachets
  • Malaria tablets
  • Oral rehydration salts / sachets
  • Painkillers
  • Sanitary Towels or similar
  • Sticking plasters : band aids
  • Sun block for skin & lips : factor 15+
  • Talcum Powder
  • Mosquito net (not needed on mountain)

1 comment:

Lt. Dan said...

Always gotta give the love to the trousers, you know.