A recommendation would be for the moderators of this forum to make a "sticky" so that the useful stuff can be easily located.
Or perhaps better, to create an area called "Gear" a break down for posts on specific equipment eg Cooking gear (including stoves, pots & pans), Tents Packs & Sleeping bags, FOOD, 1st Aid and other safety gear etc etc... Many people would find such a reference invaluable and irreplaceable, and it would evolve as new gear is released.
I found this list a long time ago, taken from a SES site somewhere and customized a bit... That site no longer exists.
(But a big thanks to whoever put it together, I have been using it for years now...)This list is not complete, as everyone has their own preferences as to what to take. There are things I don't take.
A break-down of a first aid kit would be useful.
This list doesn't cover food, again you will find people have their own preference.
My food list is pretty simple but would be eager to see what other people do....
Breakfast - 1 cup fibre plus, tea bag or two, milk powder, sugar for extra energy.
Lunch Ryvita, Tahini or Hommus, red onion, cheese, salami, carrot stick. Pack of tuna in a foil bag... All heavy but good...
Dinner instant pasta packs, sometimes Cous cous and a wet pre-packed sauce but they're heavy too. Cuppa soups.
Nibbles - Bushwalkers nut mix that I buy from a place in Deloraine, the name escapes me but they recenty moved and are now near Woolies.
One more important addition to my food list - Sustagen powder... Mixed up with water in a 1L wide mouth bottle, that stuff is amazing the kick of energy I get.
Also some dried fruit, nut bar or 2, can't think what else I do at the moment...
As well as this list, there is a useful list in the Chapman book South West Tasmania... I am sure it has copyright so I won't publish it. It's a good book, though...
I use stainless steel pots - one is a billy with loop handle, also used to store fragile or powder items in the pack, the other is a pot type where the handle folds over the lid & locks it shut.
My stove is shellite based. I have an
Optimus 99. I bought an
MSR Simmerlite, but it doesn't simmer (it roars even at its lightest setting which burns the bottom of dishes like pasta, and makes them boil over) so went back to my Optimus, a great stove. If money was no object, then perhaps the
MSR XGK would do what I require. But only because the Optimus is getting old...
Cheers!
PS my 1st post, hi there!
PPS possibly my longest post in any forum... Hope it's useful!
Equipment Lists There is not much difference between winter and summer walking in Tasmania. Summer conditions can turn into winter in a matter of hours. What you take with you in the way of Basic Equipment should be the same for all seasons. In the case where you are intentionally going into winter snow conditions to camp or search then specialised equipment must be taken. The following lists will guide you in the right direction.
BASIC DAY WALK EQUIPMENT LISTPersonal RUCKSACK Strong construction, comfortable, and large enough for all equipment.
PACK SLING Two metres of 25mm climbing webbing, tied into a loop with a tape knot, and with a karabiner attached. For attaching your pack to the helicopter’s winch.
PACKLINER A large heavy duty, waterproof plastic bag. Lightweight garbage bags are not suitable. Note other items of gear inside your pack need to be in their own plastic bags.
PACK COVER These assist in waterproofing your rucksack and are a means of visual recognition.
SLEEPING MAT Full length, double layered closed-cell mat, or full length Therm-a-rest (expensive, or ¾ Therm-a-rest plus a small square of closed-cell mat (for feet and for sitting on).
TORCH & SPARE BATTERIES In case you are late back a head torch is the best for hands free walking. Petzl make a range of styles (Zoom or Duo) etc.
MAP Topographical map of area (recent). (Good luck getting any "recent" map from our gov't...
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MAP CASE A see through plastic pouch keeps maps and notes dry.
COMPASS Good quality compass Silva or Suunto.
WHISTLE To be carried on you at all times. Tie onto compass lanyard.
POCKET KNIFE A good pocketknife has many uses.
WATCH Essential for good planning and for sticking to radio schedule times.
NOTEBOOK & PENCIL Useful for recording information or messages as you go.
WATER A plastic drink container at least 1 litre or a water bladder with a drinking tube that is accessible while you are walking.
EATING GEAR Mug, spoon.
FOOD Enough for 2 days just in case. Soups and drinks.
FIRE STARTERS Matches – Store in a waterproof container
Lighter – More convenient than matches but vulnerable to moisture.
Firelighters – Inner Tube
SPARE CORD 5m of 3mm cord for repairs and modifications.
TOILETRIES Toilet Paper in plastic bag. Toilet Trowel
SPARE PLASTIC BAGS Heavy duty, or zip top, Coles bags, etc. Many uses in your pack and while in camp.
FIRST AID KIT Personal kit for your own needs. Include Sunscreen and Lip Balm.
CLOTHING See Listing
Party Equipment (distributed amongst the group)
TENT A tent suitable to care for an injured party overnight in.
SLEEPING BAG & LINER A bag suitable to use to care for an injured party overnight.
Adds to warmth of bag and also keeps bag clean.
GROUNDSHEET A groundsheet with grommets in the corners that doubles as a tarpaulin is good.
STOVE Trangia or Similar.
FUEL IN BOTTLE Leak proof and bombproof, e.g. Sigg or Nalgene.1 litre.
FIRST AID KIT A suitable kit for all emergencies.
BINOCULARS Useful during a search.
RADIO (SES Supplied) Issued. Check batteries and aerial. Test before departure.
Optional Equipment (personal and party)
SUNGLASSES UV cut out. Protection from scrub
CAMERA & FILM Useful for recording accident scenes, SAR team at work, the view etc.
GPS (Personal or Supplied by SES) Useful for quickly pinpointing your location or accurately following a pre-planned route. Not a substitute for good navigation skills.
LIGHT ROPE Thirty metres of 7 mm nylon rope, useful for pack hauling and river crossing.
BASIC OVERNIGHT EQUIPMENT LIST Personal RUCKSACK Strong construction, comfortable, and large enough for all equipment.
PACK SLING 2 metres of 25mm climbing webbing, tied into a loop with a tape knot, and with a karabiner attached. For attaching your pack to the helicopter’s winch.
PACKLINER A large heavy duty, waterproof plastic bag. Lightweight garbage bags are not suitable.
PACK COVER These assist in waterproofing your rucksack and are a means of visual recognition.
SLEEPING BAG Good quality Holofil (bulky) or down (preferable) with at least a 3-4 season (-5-10) rating. A plastic bag inside the stuff-sack will help keep your sleeping bag dry in your pack. A compression stuff-sack will reduce the volume of a packed synthetic bag.
SLEEPING BAG LINER Increases insulating qualities of sleeping bag and keeps body oils from dirtying bag, cotton (cheap/bulky) or silk (compact/expensive). (Go the silk!)
SLEEPING MAT Full length, double layered closed-cell mat, or full length Therm-a-rest (expensive, or ¾ Therm-a-rest plus a small square of closed-cell mat (for feet and for sitting on).
DAYPACK Lightweight, stowable daypack for use on limited excursions away from pack or camp. (Use as food bag in your main pack)
TORCH & SPARE BATTERIES A head torch is the best for hands free walking or cooking.Petzl make a range of styles (Zoom or Duo) etc.
MAP Topographical map of area (recent).
MAP CASE A see through plastic pouch keeps maps and notes dry.
COMPASS Good quality compass Silva or Suunto.
WHISTLE To be carried on you at all times. Tie onto compass lanyard.
POCKET KNIFE A good pocket knife has many uses.
WATCH Essential for good planning and for sticking to radio schedule times.
NOTEBOOK & PENCIL Useful for recording information or messages as you go.
WATER A plastic drink container at least 1 litre or a water bladder with a drinking tube that is accessible while you are walking.
EATING GEAR Mug, bowl, spoon, (fork).
COOKING GEAR If needed billies should be squat & you need billy grips. Take a pot scourer.
FOOD Enough for 4 days plus one spare meal. Food needs to be nutritious, easy to prepare and packed in a leak proof way.
FIRE STARTERS Matches – Store in a waterproof container
Lighter – More convenient than matches but vulnerable to moisture.
Firelighters – Inner Tube
SPARE CORD 5m of 3mm cord for repairs and modifications.
TOILETRIES Toilet Paper in plastic bag. Toilet Trowel Tooth Paste & Brush Etc
SPARE PLASTIC BAGS Heavy duty, or zip top, bags, etc. Many uses in your pack to waterproof your gear and while in camp.
FIRST AID KIT Personal kit for your own needs. Include Sunscreen and Lip Balm.
CLOTHING See Listing
Shared Equipment (between 2 people)
TENT One between two, four seasons double skin, sewn-in floor, aluminium or fibre poles, and storm guys. (Macpac ‘Olympus’, ‘Minaret’, WE ‘First Arrow’ etc.)
GROUNDSHEET Used under a tent, prevents punctures in tent floor and extends the life of the tent. Also useful for bivouacs and snow caves. A groundsheet with grommets in the corners that doubles as a tarpaulin is good.
STOVE Fuelled by metho (gas is very inefficient in cold) e.g. Trangia or Sigg stoves.
FUEL BOTTLE & FUEL Leak proof and bombproof, e.g. Sigg or Nalgene.
Allow 200ml of metho, per person per day (generous allowance)
WINE CASK BLADDER Useful for water storage in camp.
Party Equipment (distributed amongst the party members)
FIRST AID KIT A suitable kit for all emergencies.
TRACK REPAIR KIT Suitable kit for repairing boots, packs, tents etc.
BINOCULARS Useful during a search.
RADIO (SES Supplied) Issued. Check batteries and aerial. Test before departure.
GPS (Personal or Supplied by SES) Useful for quickly pinpointing your location or accurately following a pre-planned route. Not a substitute for good navigation skills.
STROBE LIGHT (Supplied by SES) Useful for signalling at night.
Optional Equipment (personal and party)
SUNGLASSES UV cut out. Protection from scrub
CAMERA & FILM Useful for recording accident scenes, SAR team at work, the view etc.
CANDLE Short candles useful at night in camp help conserve battery power.
LIGHT ROPE Thirty metres of 7mm nylon rope, useful for pack hauling and river crossing.
MOBILE PHONE Can be useful on a less remote search, if your radio fails.
PERSONAL EPIRB For use only in an emergency when all other forms of communication are unavailable.
HELIOGRAPH Purpose-built signal mirror, compact and useful for attracting attention on sunny days.
WATER FILTER Necessary now in some areas although not yet publicised. Lightweight units are available.
SNOW EQUIPMENT AND CLOTHING LISTPersonal BOOTS Winter quality good leather boots treated with Snowseal or similar or
Plastic Boots
BIVVY BAG Nylon or Goretex for use in snow caves, snow domes, extra insulation.
OVERMITTS To minimise wetting of mittens.
EXTRA CLOTHING For extra thermal protection
SUNGLASSES/ SNOW GOGGLES Protects eyes from UV.
Useful in bad weather.
ICE AXE For self-arresting and travel over icy slopes.
CRAMPONS For steep ice slopes.
Shared TENT Must be a four seasons tent with double skin, sewn-in floor, aluminium or fibre poles, and storm guys. (Macpac ‘Olympus’, ‘Minaret’, WE ‘First Arrow’ etc.)
SNOW PEGS Aluminium V section. Hold in snow and windy conditions.
EXTRA GROUND SHEET For more protection between you and the ground.
STOVE &FUEL An MSR Whisperlite Stove, which runs on White Spirits, is more efficient in Winter snow conditions than the Trangia.
STOVE BASE 12cm square, 3mm ply, prevents stove sinking into snow and provides a stable base in muddy conditions.
SNOW SHOVEL For use in construction of various shelters.
CLIMBING GEAR To suit the teams situation.