Equipment list

This guide aims to ensure that:

• you are comfortable in the expected conditions, particularly with regard to your feet and a not too heavy pack
• you are prepared for survival in extremes of weather conditions, accidents and emergencies
• you are self-sufficient, in case you are separated from the rest of the party.

Below is a general list. You can also see an Example List of gear and food for a three-day hike in autumn weather in Namadgi National Park.

What to take on day walks

• Day pack
  • Leaves your hands free; you will probably become tired if you carry gear by hand or over a shoulder.
• Water bottle, plastic or aluminium.
  • Pack it so you won’t be crushed against it if you fall.
• Food
  • Sandwiches, muesli bars, sweets, fruit that does not squash easily or is packed in a plastic box
  • There is generally no opportunity on a day walk to cook food or boil water.
• First aid kit
  • Purchase a ready-made kit e.g. a St. John’s kit, or take
    • paracetamol or other pain relief
    • water purifying tablets
    • tablets for diarrhoea e.g. Immodium
    • antihistamine tablets
    • any prescription medication that you may need
    • bandaids
    • whatever you use for blisters e.g. waterproof Leucoplast
    • tweezers
    • gauze and elastic bandages
    • safety pins and scissors
    • compression bandage for snake bite
    • triangular bandage
  • You may also wish to consider: anti-inflammatory gel; a hydrocortisone cream for any allergic skin reactions.
• Map and compass
  • Although you may not need a map and compass for some walks, such as short walks within the Canberra urban area, they are your best insurance in case you become separated from the walking group. The name of the relevant map (e.g. Corin Dam 1:25,000) is often listed in the Activity Description in the CBC activity list.
• Map container
  • A plastic sleeve with waterproof seal usually around A4 size will keep your map dry in wet weather.
• Global Positioning System device (GPS)
  • Your Activity Owner/Leader will try to ensure there is one in the party; having your own GPS provides extra safety.
• Personal locator beacon (PLB)
  • Your Activity Owner/Leader will try to ensure there is one in the party; having your own PLB provides extra safety.
• Mobile phone
  • Where there is reception, these are more versatile than a Personal Locator Beacon.
• Matches
  • These are an important survival aid if you are caught out overnight; carry them in a waterproof container.
• Torch
  • Your trip may return later than expected. Reverse the batteries when not in use, or choose a type of torch that cannot be accidentally switched on inside your pack.
• Sunscreen
  • Provides sun protection, also lip salve.
• Insect repellent
  • Useful in damp or coastal areas where leeches or ticks can be plentiful.
• Pencil and paper
  • For emergency notes.
• Whistle
  • If you are separated from the group, you can blow a whistle for longer than you can keep shouting.
• Toilet paper
  • in waterproof bag
• Plastic trowel.

What to wear

For cold or wet conditions, clothing can be either synthetic or machine-washable wool. The best warmth for-weight combination is a number of layers (base, mid and outer) rather than a single heavy layer. For hot conditions, use synthetic blends such as polyester cotton, or cotton.

• Underwear
  • For colder conditions, add long sleeved and full-leg underwear.
• Shirt
  • Long-sleeved, long-tailed, loose fitting, with a collar for sun protection and to prevent your pack rubbing.
• Shorts or light long pants
  • For warm weather. Your choice depends on your tolerance of scrub-scratched knees.
• Thicker long pants for cold weather.
  • Long pants should be loose fitting (i.e. not jeans).
• Overpants
  • Should be both wind and waterproof.
• Warm top
  • Of synthetic material or machine-washable wool.
• Waterproof jacket
  • It should be longer than your shorts, openable completely at the front, and have a built-in hood that is roomy enough to fit over a warm hat. Jackets made of Goretex, Hydronaut or similar waterproof but breathable material are recommended.
• Shoes/boots
  • Assess the terrain and weather before deciding whether to wear boots, sneakers/running shoes, or sandshoes.
    • Boots are the most protective footwear against sharp rocks, sharp scrub, cold weather, damp vegetation and snake bite; you need to wear them in before your first day-long walk in them.
    • Sneakers/walking shoes are lighter and generally provide more grip on smooth rock than boots, and if made of Goretex or similar material can give some protection in cold or damp weather.
    • Sandshoes give little protection but provide the best grip on wet rock during a creek trip, and dry quickly. If you wear sandshoes, consider replacing the inner-sole with a tougher one.
• Socks
  • Wool/nylon blend are best overall, but synthetic socks are good for wet trips. Darned socks can cause blisters. Consider wearing two pairs, thin and thick, if you are wearing boots.
• Hat
  • With a wide 360 degree brim to protect against sun.
• Warm hat
  • for cold weather.
• Swim wear
• Handkerchief
  • Tissues get wet and may litter the bush.
• Balaclava
  • Synthetic or silk, for cold weather. A neck-warmer is an alternative.
• Fly veil
  • Consider for summer.
• Gaiters
  • Nylon or canvas gaiters, ankle or knee length, keep prickles and snow out of socks and boots, protect against sharp scrub, and may absorb some venom if you are bitten by a snake.
• Mittens and gloves
  • For cold or wet weather consider two layers e.g. gloves plus waterproof overmits.
• Spare shoes and clothes
  • To leave in the car. Your driver will appreciate your wearing clean shoes and dry clothes when you get back in the car after a walk.

Additional gear to take on weekend and longer walks

• Large pack
  • Most people prefer packs with an internal or no frame. When buying, test by filling with 10 to 15 kg of gear.
• Canyon bag
  • Heavy duty plastic bag or commercial dry sack, for lining your pack to keep the contents dry in bad weather and river crossings. If you prefer garbage bin liners, which are cheaper, take more than one, because they are easily damaged.
• Tent, tent pegs, tent poles
  • Some walkers prefer a tent fly in warm weather, and in forested areas use stick rather than tent poles.
• Groundsheet
  • Waterproof, essential if you are using a fly rather than a tent.
• Emergency bivvy bag
  • This is a sleeping-bag-sized plastic bag used in emergencies; not necessary if you are carrying a tent or fly.
• Sleeping bag
  • Superdown filling and box walled construction give the best weight and volume efficiency. Good “fibre fill” bags are bulky but may be more suitable in wet conditions. A full-length side zip allows you to spread the bag loosely over you on warmer nights. Most sleeping bags used for car-based camping are too cold, bulky and heavy for bushwalking.
• Inner sheet
  • Silk or acetate; keeps your sleeping bag clean and provides extra warmth.
• Sleeping mat
  • Inflatable such as Expeds or Thermarests or closed cell foam. Avoid air beds such as Lilos which have poorer insulation qualities.
• Spare batteries or a second small torch.
• Candle
  • For both light and fire starting.
• Repair kit needle, thread, safety pins, rubber bands, plastic bags.
• Plastic tubing
  • For sucking water from small pools, can also be used to start a campfire by blowing through it.
• Watch, cash, camera, comb
• Toothbrush and toothpaste
  • Consider carrying your tooth paste in a small screw-top container to avoid spillage.
• Towel, small
• Soap
  • But remember to use it well away from watercourses.
• Stove and fuel
  • For alpine trips and in wilderness areas.
• Fire lighters
  • For areas where campfires are permitted: solid fuel tablets (or use a candle).
• Water container
  • Such as a wine cask-style water carrier, for occasions when you camp at a distance from a water source.
• Billy (pot)
  • Aluminium or titanium is lighter than tin. Pack it in a cloth or nylon bag.
• Billy lifters
  • Aluminium device for lifting billy. Pot mitt can serve as an alternative to billy lifters.
• Frying pan
  • Rarely carried because of their weight; an aluminium pie dish is a light-weight alternative.
• Plate
  • Aluminium, plastic or consider eating from your billy.
• Mug
  • Preferably plastic, large = more tea!
• Cutlery
  • Knife, fork and/or spoon stainless steel or aluminium or tough plastic.
• Can opener
  • Small, but better to avoid bringing cans, which you will have to carry out.
• Cleaning gear
  • A small section of a pot scourer or consider using river sand instead.

Your tent, pack and sleeping bag will be the major items of expense, comfort and safety. You can hire these from the Club at nominal cost. You might like to consider hiring your gear initially, while you gain experience and gather advice.

Total weight

It is a common for inexperienced walkers to put too much weight into their packs. While it is important to be adequately equipped, an over-heavy pack can turn a stumble into a serious injury. A pack for a 2-day trip in cold weather should normally weigh in the 10 to 15 kg range, including the pack itself and daytime drinking water. Packs for warm weather trips should be lighter. To save weight on longer walks, consider dehydrated meals. Learn from others: – What’s your favourite weight-saving tip? – is a great conversation starter.

What not to bring

While the final decision is up to you, these items are rarely carried by experienced walkers on longer trips: pyjamas, a pillow (other than an inflatable pillow), shampoo, cosmetics, clean changes of clothes apart from underwear and socks, scarves (get caught in scrub), spare shoes, heavy fry pans, drip coffee makers, hunting knives or anything larger than a Swiss army knife, liquids such as milk or beer.