Gear

This is my basic kit list. It contains the majority of items I take with me into the hills. It may seem rather geeky to have all this information in a table, but I find it much easier to work out loads and pack weights (which is important, as I hate carrying more weight than I need) in a spreadsheet, rather than standing on the kitchen scales with a pack on.

As you can see from the list, it’s not the lightest kit in the world, but it’s getting there. Having spent my early teens lugging packs weighing close to half my bodyweight around, I began to lose interest in walking and camping; spending my weekends in pain from the heavy load and resulting blisters was not my idea of a good time! Now I have the funds to invest in gear that is not only lightweight, but every bit as practical as the more ‘sturdy’ kit I had as a youth, and means that I am able to enjoy every moment I’m out there.

I think the gear demonstrates a balance between comfort and weight. I have a roomy tent, that can comfortably fit two and is luxury for one, an inflatable sleeping mat (and pillow!) as well as a comfortable metal-framed pack to fit it all in. Going light shouldn’t mean you have to suffer, after all that’s what I was trying to avoid in the first place. I admit that achieving a low pack weight has been a bit expensive, but this kit has been built up over some time now and as it increases my enjoyment of the hills I think it’s worth every penny.