“What should I bring on my tramp?”, you may ask. Gear is very much a personal choice but there are some essentials and some rules. Rules are:
- You must take waterproof layers—staying dry is critical.
- You must not take cotton—it’s heavy and cold as soon as it’s wet, which is often the case in Aotearoa. Go for merino or polypropylene, if you can.
Overnight essentials
Gear is very much a personal choice but there are some essentials. You must take the following with you on any tramp. Think of them as your ‘insurance policy’. I keep all within easy reach.
- Personal Locator Beacon and emergency bag
- Map and compass (that you know how to use)
- First aid kit, including painkillers and strapping tape
- Boots
- Tramping socks
- Raincoat with hood (or shell if less than 1mm of rain is forecast)
- 2x thermal first layer tops and bottoms—quick-dry polypro or merino. I prefer polypro while tramping because it’s harder wearing and warm, and merino in the huts for comfort
- Polar fleece, to keep you snug in the wind
- Beanie for your noggin (merino is ideal)
- Tramping hat or cap
- Undies
- Quick-dry shorts (gym shorts are good)
- T-shirt (or two)
- Sunglasses
- Sunblock, insect repellent and hand sanitiser
- Drink bottle (2 L minimum)
- Hut passes and pen
- Sleeping bag (and/or silk liner)
- Head torch and spare batteries
- Personal toiletries and medicines
- Loo paper
- Hut pants
- Whistle (if it’s not attached to your pack)
- Billy, knife with sheath, bowl, cup, and utensils
- FOOD!
Consider these too…
- Neck gaiter (keeps your neck and chin toasty in in nasty conditions)
- Hut pants
- Whistle (if not attached to your pack)
- Hut shoes and socks
- Shoes for river crossings
- Puffer jacket or warm top, for the huts
- Reading material and notebook
- Lightweight, easy and social game—like Bananagrams, or cards
- Togs and microfibre towel (if you’re modest)
- Lightweight compressible daypack, for a day trip from a hut
- Hand moisturiser/Vaseline/Pawpaw oil
- Hip flask of your favourite tipple
Gear
Bring the following as needed. Some frontcountry huts have gas stoves.
- Hiking poles
- Gaiters and gaiter ties
- Billy, stove and lighter
- Knife with sheath (I use an Opinel)
- Dishcloth and small pottle of eco-friendly dish detergent
If you can’t book a bunk or are camping…
- Tent or fly
- Bed roll
Packs
Weight is everything. Food counts for a significant portion of weight, as might a tent. Culinary Advisor warns it’s good to have a buffer of at least 45L for an overnighter, unless you’re going completely Marie Kondo. And let’s face it, as frontcountry trampers, we want a few creature comforts! I can attest that a two-night tramp with my 48 L was perfectly feasible—there was room to spare and the pack comfortable.
I now have several packs, all serving slightly different purposes:
- Macpac Cascade 65 L (2.5kg), which I got in 2001 and still love. It’s basically indestructible but a bit like having a sack of spuds on one’s back.
- A newer, lighter, faster Osprey Kestrel 48 L (1.6kg) that I got in 2022 for 1-2 night trips and solo adventures. This is perhaps my favourite pack. It’s light and nimble and the hip-pockets fit my cell phone.
- A new Osprey Kestrel 68L (1.7kg) that is a lighter, more comfortable and more versatile alternative to my Cascade. I particularly like its U-opening but am less convinced by the floating lid and hip pockets that aren’t big enough for a phone.
- A Lowe-Alpine 35L that I got in 2023 for single-day alpine climbs. This is a great backpack that can take all one’s alpine gear, but I also use it as a commuter bag in which to stuff my lunch, gym gear and other paraphernalia.
- A small Tatonka day pack that neatly stuffs into itself for day hikes from a hut or campsite.
Find out more and see my packs.
If you don’t have a pack and need to start somewhere, consider something in the 50-65L range.
