Cultural & Adventure Experiences

Ann’s Tips

The following information is based on many years tramping in the outdoors and being on the road travelling for extended periods of time. These tips are intended as a guide only to help you prepare for your adventure, with minimum of ease.

Buying trekking/tramping boots:

Ensure that you wear the same socks when trying on tramping/trekking boots that you will be wearing when you are out there trekking. This can make a huge difference to your comfort, enjoyment and success of your trip. I feel the fit of socks are one of the most important factors in having healthy blister-free feet. I cannot stress enough how important this is. Buy good quality, good fitting socks and give your feet the attention they deserve.

Backpacks:

When buying a backpack it is important to only buy off someone who really knows what they are talking about. If you are not comfortable with the person you are talking to, ask to talk to someone else. The most important factors to consider are fit and size.

Travel or tramping?
This does not really matter, decide what you will mostly use your backpack for. Tramping packs are top loading so you need to be more organised in your packing, however tramping packs are lighter as there are less zips, bells and whistles. Tramping packs offer more protection from the elements and are generally more streamlined in balance for tramping/trekking (I prefer this option). On the other hand travel packs make it easy to find things.

Size:
Larger backpacks can fit more in but are heavier to carry, 65 – 70Litre is more than adequate. The size you need will also depend on your height and length of your spine.

Fit:
The most appealing backpack may not be the best fit so ensure you get expert advice from the store assistant before making any decisions. Make sure they fill the pack with some luggage/weight to give a true indication of how the pack feels. Ensure the store assistant shows you how to adjust the pack to fit correctly, to prevent any future unbalanced loads or a shoulder from hurting.

Raincoat:

There are three things that I feel you cannot compromise on: footwear, backpack and raincoat. These three things can make or break an outdoor adventure and also may save your life when conditions turn rough.
When choosing a raincoat one of the most important factors is to make sure it is waterproof, breathable and windproof. A breathable coat will keep you dry and warm on the inside. This will allow your perspiration to escape at the same time whilst not allowing the rain to enter. The weight that you buy really depends on where you are going and the type of conditions you will be using your raincoat in.

Clothing:

Clothing is best worn in layers. There are many theories on what is the best option between wool and synthetics.

Wool:
Wool is warm and does not need washing as often as synthetic fabrics however this option is also heavier to carry and takes a long time to dry when it does need washing. It is claimed Merino wool garments do not absorb odor as quick as other wools and are softer on the skin.

Synthetic:
Synthetic fabrics of today are far more advanced and technical than the synthetics of yesteryear. The good quality synthetics are light on the skin, very comfortable to wear, breath really well, dry fast when washed and are much lighter to carry in your luggage.

The main factor to consider is the heaviness of the garments, can they be dried overnight when they are washed and does the garment serve the purpose and conditions it needs too. Above all, your clothing must be respectful to the culture of the country you are visiting.

Sleeping bag:

It is entirely up to you whether you buy synthetic or down.

Down:
Down sleeping bags are light weight, pack up smaller and give more loft which traps in more warm air. Goose down gives more loft than duck down, so traps in more warm air, however goose down is also more expensive. If you look after a good down sleeping bag well, it should last a good twenty years which makes it quite cost effective.

Synthetic:
Synthetic sleeping bags are good however they are more bulky and heavier. A good synthetic sleeping bag will last approximately ten or more years if looked after well.

The most important thing to consider is the conditions you will be using your sleeping bag in. The life of your sleeping bag will depend on how you look after it. We perspire approximately one litre of fluid per night. This fluid and body oils are what shortens the life of your sleeping bag. To minimise deterioration of your sleeping bag it is advised to use a silk liner which will dry with your body heat, these are lighter than other cotton options.

Presents for children:

If you want to take something to give away to the local children, why not buy an ink stamp of a happy face or something similar. We do not advise that you take pens or sweets etc. Porters really love to get any old clothing e.g. socks, back packs, raincoats, tramping boots etc.

Time to pack and you think where to start:

1. Put your sleeping bag at the bottom which will give you a good base and pack your clothing around the sleeping bag, taking up every tiny available space.
2. Buy some drawstring bags from outdoor stores. Different colours help to keep track of different items etc.
3. Roll every piece of clothing tightly, this helps save on room and keeps clothing looking good to wear.
4. Put rolled clothing in draw string bags. Underwear in one, trousers in a different colour bag and tops in another etc.
5. Toilet bags with a hook are best to hang in showers which will stop contents from getting wet.
6. Travel towels that are quick drying are best. Check that they are infact quick drying as some are not.
7. Elastic travel clothesline, the type that doesn’t need pegs.
8. The good NZ ‘sunlight soap’ that is bio degradable for the waterways and great for washing clothes and bodies.
9. Buy a large backpack liner which will keep clothing dry in the event of heavy rains.
10.Packed and it won’t all fit? Take it all out and repack half of what you have.

Caution – don’t compromise too much be aware of your safety.
Remember there is a restriction on weight due to porters carrying your backpack, so pack what you need but don’t over do it.

Water:

It is wise to treat all drinking water and even the water we wash our teeth in. There are a number of ways that this can be achieved:

1. Buy bottled water: Trekking 4 Women do not advise this option as the plastic waste is a real problem after it is discarded. We practice ‘what we take in we carry out’. This option can also work out to be quite expensive.

2.Treat the water with purifying tablets or the like. Good option, however you need to ensure that the tablets used actually do take out all the nasty bugs. This is also an inexpensive option and good for short term use.

3. Water filter- This is a good option as it takes care of nasty bugs in a clean and health way. It can be expensive to buy a water filter that takes out all the nasty bugs, but is very good for long term use.

4. Steri Pens – These are excellent and in my opinion the best option. Steri Pens claim to kill all nasty bugs and viruses by way of ultra- violet light. After sterilising your water, you then fill your water bladder to the level you want. The Steri Pen option is operated by battery, they are light weight, small, user friendly, and operated with the minimum of fuss. Steri Pens can be purchased via the internet or at your preferred outdoor store.

It is wise when considering which option is best for you that when trekking at altitude we will be consuming around five litres of fluid per day, which helps with acclimatisation. Water bladders with an attached drinking tube are recommended to help encourage the quantity of fluids that you need for trekking at altitude.

All of the enclosed information quoted has been complied with care and is given in good faith at the time of writing.This information is intended as a guideline only to help you prepare for your trek.