NSC Outdoor Adventures
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Recommended Equipment List
Winter (or cold and wet) High Level Low/Mid Level
For your own safety if you are inadequately equipped you will not be permitted to take part in the planned activity, while we may have some spares for loan we cannot guarantee their availability. Click on this link for a downloadable version (pdf).
You should be wearing a wicking base layer (not a cotton t-shirt), mid-layer (fleece is best), walking trousers (not jeans), good quality footwear with in-soles and socks to suit the weather, making sure that they are 'broken in' and comfortable to walk in. Boots that cover the ankles are recommended and should be supportive of both foot and ankle. We will be well away from immediate return on most of the walks, so it may be a bit late to find out that your footwear is causing you a problem.
All
clothing should be sufficient to suit the anticipated conditions, fleece
pullover or similar should be carried or worn.
Drinking materials should also suit the expected weather, it should be
noted that even in the warmer seasons it is possible to suffer from hypothermia,
or dehydration in cold weather. All
spare clothing should be contained in a sealed dry-bag, as no rucksack is
totally waterproof.
As
a minimum you
should carry (and wear if appropriate) at least the following equipment,
supplemented by the additional level equipment as necessary (see below):
Windproof/waterproof
(preferably breathable) shell over-jacket
Windproof/waterproof
(preferably breathable) shell over-trousers that can be put on without removing
footwear
Waterproof
hat
Gloves
Personal
first aid kit
Medication
(if required)
Snack
Drinks, at least 1 litre of water or similar is recommended, as the tops of hills do not have reliable drinking water. You should also have warm drinks with you as appropriate.
Optional
additional equipment:
Map (in waterproof map case)
Guide
book
Notebook
and pen/pencil
Mobile
phone (switched off or on silent)
Camera
Binoculars
Trekking
poles, two should be used.
Low/Mid
Level (up to 300m asl) up to 2 to 3 hours walk duration
2/3-season walking boots,
carrying or wearing appropriate fleece, gloves, waterproof hat,
and gaiters.
Rucksack
up to 25 litres containing the above equipment and also:
Gaiters
Spare socks
Packed lunch and
warm drink or the means to make a drink during meal stops
Pen-knife
Whistle
Optional:
small head torch
Optional: solo bothy shelter/survival bag
High
Level (above 300m asl) or an extended day (over 3 hours and/or more than 1 hour
walk from a telephone)
3 or 4-season hill-walking boots.
Rucksack
app 25 - 30litres containing the above equipment and also:
2 Spare
pairs of gloves, fleece
Small head
torch and spare batteries
Additional
drinks, consider
at least litre per hour of water or similar
Solo bothy shelter or survival bag (coloured plastic survival bags are readily available and very cheap)
Space blanket
Food for additional meals and snacks
(Remember that the weight of a small stove and gas canister is similar to a flask and heats up far more water than can be carried in that flask).
Cold or Winter Weather Activities
As for High Level but with the following in at least a 40 litre rucksack:
Extra gloves
Belay or over jacket made of synthetic insulation
4-season walking boots of grade B2 or B3 are recommended (though good 4 season B0 or B1 boots can be used)
Crampons suitable for both walking and your boots, or spiked walking aids if low level
Ice Axe (if high level or steep ground)
We have ice-axes and crampons available if necessary.
Balaclava
Goggles
Warm drinks in un-breakable flask
Additional emergency meal, or energy snacks
If you have any queries on the equipment please contact us as we may have items for loan during your sessions with us.
Top of page Winter High Level Low/Mid Level