Personal Equipment Guideline

For a Day Tramp

See day trip guidelines in Tramping Information

For a Weekend Tramp

• Overnight pack

• Waterproof pack liner

• Waterproof pack cover

• Sleeping bag

• Sleeping mat (desirable)  

• Blow up pillow (desirable)·

• Tent (if no hut is available)

• Hiking boots or shoes

• Tramping socks

• Waterproof  jacket

• Waterproof  over trousers

• Hat (for shade) and/or beanie (for warmth)

• Shorts or tramping trousers, (active wear, quick drying)

• T-shirt or shirt (active wear, quick drying)

• Thermal top or tops (fleece, merino or polypropylene)

• Watch

• Gloves

• Change of clothes for hut wear

• Light shoes/sandals for hut wear

• Gaiters (optional)

• Hiking poles (optional)

• First Aid kit (including personal meds)

• Survival blanket or bivy sack

• Toilet paper (in plastic bag)

• Small hand sanitiser

• Basic toiletries and optional small towel

• Sun glasses

• Sun block (optional)

• Torch and spare batteries

• Whistle

• Light weight bowl and mug

• Knife and spoon

• Cooker, with adequate fuel for unplanned extra day

• Light weight billy

• Matches or lighter

• Small solar light or candle

• Paper and pencil in waterproof bag

• Compass and map / GPS

• Insect repellent (depending on area and season)

• Water bottle or hydration gear for your pack

• Food for breakfasts, lunches, dinners, plus one extra day

• Snacks or scroggin, plus enough for one extra day

• Phone/camera

• Power bank for phone/camera (optional)

• A couple of plastic bags (for rubbish, dirty clothes)

Some Extra Tips

• Because the weather can deteriorate rapidly, the need for fleece, Merino or polypropylene clothing cannot be stressed enough. You will need warm clothing which will dry quickly if it gets wet. Do not wear cotton clothing or jeans or cords

• For the novice, the biggest hazard is carrying too much gear, which can be very tiring. It takes a number of trips to work out what your basic equipment should be

• Organize your gear into logical groups. Put your sleeping bag in its  own plastic bag in the bottom of your pack.  Put the heaviest items (such as food) closest to your centre of gravity in the middle of your back.  Keep items you’ll use often during the day (such as your water bottle, snacks, maps, camera) where you can get to them without taking off your pack.  Keep wet weather gear or warm clothing near the top of your pack so you can access them more easily.  Use compression straps to cinch everything down tightly

• Once your tramp is underway, switch your mobile phone to Airplane Mode – use it as a camera, but still preserve the battery