In this second post, let’s talk equipment.

It’s a tricky time of year, being not really very summery (we’ve just changed the clocks) and not really winter (there’s no snow and it’s not too cold). So we need to take extra care with our clothing and lighting and pay attention to the weather forecast. Autumn gales and bad weather can appear out of nowhere.

I already know I’m going to be camping for two nights, and because my planed route is simply ‘there and back again’ I’m not planning on doing any bivvying. This is just a recce to scope out the area, finding a decent spot to wild camp later on. So we can keep the kit divided into three bags.

Bag one will contain the tent, with sleeping mat and bag with a blanket and any cosy warm layers. This will be critical for a decent nights sleep.

Bag two will be the mountain pack, ready to just pick up and go, no extra faffing in the morning.

Finally, bag three contains all the random things you need at a campsite, plus a full, dry set of clothing with extra layers for when I come off the hill on Saturday. I can just shower, change into the clothes and fall into a sleeping bag to rest before the drive home on Sunday.

The full list for each bag is below which I hope helps you prepare for your own adventures. Oh, there’s also some kit I keep in the car to help in case of a breakdown – try to think of each eventuality and how you would manage. The small details and tiny prep work makes all the difference and forces you to think about crucial items that may otherwise get overlooked. This might sound over the top but I prefer doing this and being over-prepared than being anxious thinking ‘what if?’

Kit list for Bag One:

Tent, poles, pegs, sleeping mat, sleeping bag, full set of dry clothes, large gas canister, stove, lighter, dehydrated food, cup, blanket, cutlery, one pillow.

We’ll look at the mountain pack tomorrow, and also chat logistics for trips between October and May generally.