A Guide To Make Your Trip Safe & Enjoyable

Not all trips are in extreme terrain or weather. If you are on a town walk you are probably more at risk from traffic than hypothermia, while on the beach sunburn, heatstroke and drowning are more common hazards. For everything else we recommend the following.

What to take – the minimum personal essential gear for all wilderness day trips.

Outer shell:                         Waterproof hooded parka (preferably breathable) and waterproof overtrousers.
Insulation Layer:                Polyester fleece or wool jersey or jacket.
Base (thermal) layer:        Polypropylene or wool top and long johns.
Headwear:                          Wool/synthetic beanie or balaclava, sun hat.
Footwear:                            Wool/synthetic socks, boots or shoes suitable for the terrain.
Hands:                                Wool and/or synthetic gloves or mitts.
Spare:                                 One wool/fleece top (at least) kept dry in your pack.
Fluid:                                   At least 800ml and up to 3 litres of water if not available en route.
Food:                                   Lunch and snacks of high-calorie food.
Emergency:                       Personal 1st aid kit, LED headlamp or torch, high-energy food, pack liner/emergency bag.
Daypack:                            Should be big enough to fit in everything which you are not wearing.

This list is the MINIMUM you will need. If you are venturing into alpine terrain, especially in winter conditions, you may need considerably more. Check with the trip leader if you have any doubts.

Other recommended gear, depending on trip.

Gaiters, wind mitts, spare thermals, map and compass, sunglasses, UV barrier cream, fire lighting kit, stainless mug, knife, mobile phone

Recommended gear which can be shared among a group are: high-performance emergency bag, locator beacon, smoke flare, fly sheet, hand-held radios, bothy bag, GPS and comprehensive 1st aid kit.

The Club has most of this gear available on free-of-charge loan on Club trips.

Optional items which could be useful are: walking poles, sandals, insect repellent, pack cover, length of cord, water filters or purifiers, guide book, plant or bird guide, binoculars, camera and vacuum flask, but remember these all add to the weight in your pack.

Your Responsibilities on a Trip
• Offer to help carry some of the shared equipment such as locator beacon or 1st aid kit.
• Stay with the group at all times and help others who are having problems.
• Tell someone if making a toilet stop etc.
• Don’t put yourself at unnecessary risk. You may put others at risk too.
• Tell the leader early if a problem starts to develop or you are struggling to keep up.
• Tell someone if you notice anything which you think may be important.
• If you have any ideas about improving the way trips are run tell the trip leader or committee member.

If you become separated from the party, STOP and STAY WHERE YOU ARE. Move only if you can easily return to where you could be found more easily. You are likely to be more easily heard if you are at the top of a ridge than in a gully (but may be more exposed to weather). Shout or blow a whistle at regular intervals to help searchers find you.

Trip Grading

EASY 3-4 hours        FIT EASY 3-6 hours          MODERATE 4-6 hours           FIT MODERATE 4-8 hours         HARD 6+ hours
The grading is a guide only – the expected length of the trip is given in the trips programme.

Trip grading is a combination of a number of factors including expected length, steepness or otherwise of the intended route, likely track conditions, time of year and leader’s intentions. Thus, trips to the same destination could have a different grading depending on time of year, track conditions, or who is leader and intended speed of travel. For example, a trip to Pouakai Trig in summer could be done at a leisurely pace over 7 hours and be classed as FIT EASY. The same trip done in 5 hours, or in winter snow or wind, could be classed as MODERATE. Weather and track conditions on the day can make a trip harder than expected.

To avoid the embarrassment of holding other members up, all members are urged to begin with easier trips in order to assess their own level of fitness, confidence and ability. If you are a new member or are in doubt, please check with the trip leader.

SAFE TRAMPING!