Unit 4

1. Unit 4 • Kit list • Equipment • Borrowing school kit

2. Kit list (Pg 22) The key to your kit is taking the right kit but not taking things you don’t need IMPORTANT Current D of E Regulations do not allow you take a mobile phone on Expedition

3. WEAR (on the expedition) • Underwear • T – shirt • Warm long sleeved shirt / Jumper • Warm trousers (not jeans) • 2 pairs wool socks (if preference) • Boots

4. Tent * Stove * Small light plastic trowel * Water carrier * Fuel * Matches Emergency Pack Toilet paper Spare laces Food Detergent Scourer/dishcloth Small poly bags Torch and spare batteries Sweets/chocolate Tea towel Toothpaste/soap First Aid kit *supplied by school SHARED BETWEEN PAIR/THREE

5. Cagoule * Karrimat * Over trousers * Rucsac * Compass * Map * Sleeping bag Large bin liner (to line rucsac) Personal medications Spare bin liner Spare jumper Spare shirt Gloves Plastic bowl/mugs Knife, fork, spoon Shorts Pen/Paper Hat Camera (optional) Toothbrush Small towel Spare underwear Spare socks *supplied by school PERSONAL ITEMS

6. Notes on kit • Emergency packs means 2/3 chocolate bars and a whistle in a sealed poly bag • A quality 3 season sleeping bag is needed and I recommend it is put in a separate polythene bag. • If you bring a personal stereo (MP3, iPod) for the journey DO NOT take it on the expedition. • A personal ‘First Aid Kit’ should contain at least the following • Fabric plasters (2 sizes), Melolin dressings, Needle, Antiseptic wipes, Pen/Paper, Crepe bandage, Triangular bandage, Moleskin, Safety pin, Tissues, Personal medications

7. EQUIPMENT FOR EXPEDITIONS(Pg 24-25) General advice • Most equipment will come from the school but if you want to get your own, think about the following: • It pays to buy good quality – problem is these items are normally more expensive • Use specialist shops (cotswold, field and trek etc) • Don’t buy expensive boot until your feet have stopped growing • Never rush into a purchase, seek advice

8. Boots – best to use school ones, must have a ridged sole and good ankle support Waterproofs – shower proof is no use, it must be a heavy weight fabric with a proofed back – problem is the you tend to get damp because of condensation Better quality waterproofs are breathable and waterproof – best know are gore-tex and event The same applies for over trousers – try only to wear these when the rain is heavy Clean waterproofs/ over trousers with clean water, do not use detergent

9. Sleeping bags • A shaped three season sleeping bag that stuffs (literally, i.e. don’t fold them) into a carrying bag and has a high quality filling is required. • What about fillings? • Artificial filling are very common. Bags with these fillings are heavier but cheaper • Down is definitely the lightest and warmest but more expensive

10. Tents • All our Gold tents are made of nylon and are of high quality and expensive (£300-£500). Nylon tents are light and the water can be shaken off. Only the flysheet is proofed and condensation is inevitable • Where possible do not cook in the tent (unless heavy rain and then not inside the inner tent) • It is ABSOLUTELY ESSENTIAL you roll down the inner door properly and secure it with elastic loops. DON’T leave them lying on the ground to be used as a doormat.

11. Stoves and Rucsacs • Trangia stoves are used with liquid meths • It has two pots, a lid and a burner • They are very safe • The rucsac needs to have a capacity of 60-70 liters our sacs are mostly karrimor ones • They are not waterproof so you need a bin liner inside • The bottom compartment is ideal for your sleeping bag

12. Other equipment • Compass – ours are made by ‘Silva’ • Karrimat – made from closed cell foam, this insulates you from the ground. • More expensive form are inflatable but much more expensive (‘Thermarest’) • Gaiters – attach between boots and legs, excellent for helping to keep feet dry • Torch- head torches best as they keep your hands free • Water bottle – needs to be at least 1 liter, ‘Sigg’ bottles are a good investment • Mid-layer/fleece – warmer than cotton, tend to dry quicker

13. Borrowing School kit(Pg 27) • School expeditions are only possible because of the large amount of kit we have, so if you borrow it please: • Look after it carefully • returned it clean and dry on the day arranged. Someone else’s trip probably depends on this. You are responsibly for your kit. Fines will be charged if you break this rule.

14. Borrowing School kit • If there are faults with the equipment please report them • check kit when it is issued to you. Otherwise, you may be held responsible for damage you didn’t cause. • A £30 deposit from each student borrowing kit has to be handed in before kit can be issued. The rule is no deposit no kit!

15. Cleaning kit • TENTS - Clean out all rubbish and then make sure the tents are thoroughly dry. Hang them up in the garage or pitch them in the garden. Remove mud with a stiff brush. FOLD THEM away correctly. Clean and straighten all pegs. • BOOTS - Let them dry NATURALLY – use no heat. Clean off mud, then use ‘Nikwax’ if you have it. If not, use shoe polish. Clean mud off the sole too.

16. Cleaning kit • WATERPROOFS - Wipe off mud with a damp cloth or rinse in cold water Don’t use detergents or a washing machine • RUCSACS - Brush off mud with a stiff brush. Check that all pockets are empty. • STOVES - Clean, very thoroughly with ‘Brillo Pad’ and hot water – Do not use a dishwasher, Make sure all accessories (pot grip, burner, lid, simmer ring) are in a plastic bag – NOT loose.