Thursday 23 February 2017

TGO Challenge 2017 Gear List

Cooking stuff: Evernew 0.9l pot and 0.4l mug,  MSR Micro Rocket stove and Primus windshield, Platypus water containers and Pod dry bag for rubbish
Well as any fool knows, the key to a successful completion of the Challenge is not experience in backpacking or hill walking.  It is not a cunningly crafted route or the ability to navigate in the foggiest of fogs.  It is not strength of mind and being made of the right stuff.  It is not determined training, regularly lugging a heavy pack up high hills in the wind and rain from New Year to the end of April. Of course not.  It is about the possession of an accurate set of kitchen scales and the ability to create an Excel spreadsheet and to weigh your gear to the last gram.  It is a well known fact that all other Challengers want to know about you is what are you taking with you. 

Z Packs Duplex, lovely and spacious, very cuben fibre light, but single skinned not as toasty as the Scarp 1
Tarp Tent Scarp 1: My almost perfect shelter - except for the weight
So here is my starter for ten, with my current thoughts about what I shall be carrying in May.  The eagle eyed reader will spot that there are probable and possible columns.  The possible column generally relates to potential last minute changes which will depend on whether we have a particularly clement or inclement weather forecast.  Forecasts are, of course, notoriously unreliable in mountain areas and my probable column should see me okay in most conditions.  If there is still much lying snow or, better still, in the highly unlikely event that Scotland is sitting under a blocking anticyclone in the first week in May, then the items in the possible column may come into play.

TGOC 2017 Gear List
PROBABLE
Pack
Worn/Non-Pack
POSSIBLE ALTERNATIVES
(gr)
(gr)
Pack
GG Mariposa
1015
ULA Catalyst (1530gr incl pack cover) or Z Packs Arc Blast (590gr)
Z Packs CF Packliner
54
Shelter and Sleeping
Tarp Tent Scarp 1
1455
Z Packs Duplex (685gr)
Tent pegs
250
Sleeping Bag Z Packs 20 degree
660
Rab Silk Liner
116
Sleep Socks - As Tucas Down Socks
90
Rohan Silver Core Zipped Base
255


Rab Meco Long Johns
148
Silk Liner Gloves - Lowe   Alpine
30
Klymit Pillow
85
Thermarest XTherm (large)
580
Tent J Cloth
12
Cook set
410




MSR Micro Rocket + stand and windshield
Ti Tri Inferno + Starlyte Burner (saves 120gr)
Evernew 0.9 litre pot
Evernew 0.4 litre mug
Sea to Summit long spoon (alloy)
Lighter
Classic Swiss Army Knife
Water purifying tabs
J Cloth




Hydration in cf stuff sack:
181




Platypus 2 litre
Platypus 1 litre
Sawyer small water filter + medium pouch
First Aid Kit
290




First Aid Kit Dry Bag
Elasticated knee bandage
Tick remover
Safety Pins
Scissors
Sudacreme
Plasters and compeed
Wound Dressings
Micropore tape
Paracetamol
Ibuprofen
Imodium
Hayfever tablets
Gehwol Foot Cream
Smidge
Lanacane Anti-Chafing Gel
Sun screen
Wash Kit in dry bag
420
Mini toothbrush and paste
Comb
Dr Bronner's
Deodorant (tiny)
Towel - Lightload Mini *3
Contact lenses
T Roll
Hand Sanitiser
Lighter
Ear plugs
Tissues
Trowel (MSR Blizzard stake included with tent pegs)
P Bottle








Navigation/Tech




Silva compass
40
Ortilieb map case + Map
80
Ortilieb A4 Case + Map printouts + 2 maps
270
Galaxy S7 Smartphone / GPS
157
Phone case
60
Phone charger
45
Camera charger lead
30
Power pack
125
Watch - Suunto Core

64

Camera - Lumix DMC TZ60 + case and spare battery

400

Batteries *3 (watch and headtorch)



Spot Gen 3 Messenger
60






Repair kit in cf bag
63
Dyneema cord
Duck Tape
Thermarest puncture kit
Shock cord
Tenacious tape / cf tape








Accessories







Whistle
15
Headtorch - Petzl E Lite
30
Midge head net
50
Notebook and pen
52
Reading glasses in case
107

Pacer Poles - Alloy
650
Black Diamond Trail Pro (if Duplex taken)
Multimat foam sit mat
42
Thermarest Inflatable Sit Mat (90gr)
Wallet
100
Rail tickets
10




Clothes
Trail Shoes Inov8 Roclite 295, +  Blue Superfeet insoles
740
Ecco Xpedition III Torre GTX Mid Boots. Micro spikes.
Dirty Girl Gaiters
68
X Socks Exped (2 pairs)
62
62
Bridgedale Merino Fusion Trekker (if boots worn)
Bridgedale Coolmax Liners (3 pairs)
40
20
Compression Socks
90
Under Armour Boxers
90
Helly Hansen Boxers
88
Trousers - Montane Terra
357
Rohan Ether trousers
216
Montane Prisms (348gr)
Rohan Merino Shirt

286

Berghaus Extrem 7000 Hoodie Mid Layer
475
Montane Prism Gillet
284
PhD Minimus Down Jacket + Hood
478
Montane Fleece Beanie
60
Buff
38
Montane Prism Gloves
60
Waterproof Overmits
41
Montane Litespeed windshirt
204
Rohan Elite Jacket
375
Paramo Velez Adventure Light Smock (685gr) + Z Packs Death Jacket (200gr)
Berghaus Paclite Overtrousers
250
Hi Tec Zuuc Shoes
450
Total Base Carried
9108
Total Worn
4107
Food, Drink and Fuel
Gas
380
Meths (500gr)
Dehydrated food (3 days) main meals and deserts
1500
Total other food (3 days):-
500
Soups (1 per day)
Tea bags (4 per day)
Drink choc (1 per day)
Condensed milk - tube
Nido full cream milk powder
Instant porridge (1.5 per day)
Cereal bars (3 per day)
Trail mix
Chocolate
Primula and wraps
Food bags




Nalgene Hip Flask (full)
400
Water (0.5l in Evian bottle)
520
Total Food, Drink, Fuel
3300
Total Pack Weight
12408



12 comments:

  1. Good kit David. Great to see the Primula making another appearance, although I'm sure you are missing a trick in terms of multi usage. Don't you know that one tube of Primula can double up as toothpaste, ear plugs, anti-chaffing cream, foot cream, sudacreme barrier cream and even deodorant at a push. I know .... it's genius .... you're welcome.

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    Replies
    1. Good point, Steve. But it's only the regular Primula which you can use as anti-chafing cream. I'm taking the Chive flavoured this year.

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  2. I think they do a chilli one, but only in a tub. It would make an invigorating body rub. Not every part mind.

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  3. I note David that your sitmat weighs 42g compared to my ultralight version at 30g. I suspect that you have examined the ground conditions of your intended route carefully and concluded that the additional couple of mm thickness is warranted on account of the harsh posterior contact expected. Ever the professional...this is the true mark of a seasoned backpacker. No detail escapes you.

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    Replies
    1. A detail did escape me actually, John. I could just use the foam mat that sits in the back pocket of the Mariposa as my sit mat.

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  4. I think I would plump for the Death Tent. After all, it's big enough to squeeze three chaps in for a drinks party, if we turf all the extraneous stuff like sleeping bags and clothes into one of the porches. A pound and a half is quite some saving. I would also take the inflatable sit mat - it makes an excellent breakfast table - fully inflated - when you're mostly in you sleeping bag on a chilly morning.

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    Replies
    1. But surely your Trinnie is the party shelter, Al? Daphne is far too delicate.

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  5. Could you please put Some colour in the chart, maybe a background hill picture or an empty whisky bottle on its side. Just a thought like.
    No, seriously, it's always good to read what other similar minded folk have found to use. Cheers and have a good crossing. Did you include earplugs btw.

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  6. Hi Alan
    I'm not sure if describing me as similar minded to you is a compliment or not!
    Yes, ear plugs are in the washing kit section. Although with my snoring others may want to borrow them if within a hundred yards or so.

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    Replies
    1. I know you have some limitations David but if we overlook them I'd say you were quite similar. Ha.

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