Walking
- Rucksack – large enough to take all your gear, but small/light enough that you can carry all day
- Food & drink – it’s always better to have too much than to risk running out. Consider taking a flask with a hot drink if it’s a cool day. Water bladders are great as they reduce in size as you consume the liquid making storage easier. Think about the food that you take with you – lunch often gets squashed in your rucksack so choose items that will last. Have a small bag to take your rubbish away with you.
- Dry bag for valuables (i.e. to keep your phone inside in case it should rain) Local map of area, map case and compass (if owned) * Walking poles (if owned)
- Head torch
- Whistle
- Small first aid kit
- Comfortable clothes are key. Take layers so that you can mix-and-match according to the weather. Jeans are not ideal for outdoor activity if there is a chance of rain as they become very heavy when wet. Wicking fabrics are better next to the skin than cotton. Sturdy shoes or walking boots are usually the best footwear along with good socks.
- Waterproofs (jacket and trousers), gaiters, windproof jacket, extra layers, sun-cream, hat, gloves, sun cap, sunglasses – choose items depending on the weather forecast. Remember that even in August you may need a warm hat on the tops!
Climbing
- Harness *
- Helmet *
- Climbing shoes
- Chalk bag
- Karabiner and belay device
- Nut key
- Any other climbing equipment that you own – slings, karabiners etc.
- Rucksack – large enough to take all your gear, plus some space to help carry communal gear
- Head torch
- Small first aid kit
- Food & drink – it’s always better to have too much than to risk running out. Consider taking a flask with a hot drink if it’s a cool day. Water bladders are great as they reduce in size as you consume the liquid making storage easier. Think about the food that you take with you – lunch often gets squashed in your rucksack so choose items that will last. Have a small bag to take your rubbish away with you.
- Dry bag for valuables (i.e. to keep your phone inside in case it should rain)
- Local map of area and compass, and/or guidebook (if owned)
- Comfortable clothes are key. Take layers so that you can mix-and-match according to the weather, and whether you are climbing, belaying or taking a break. Jeans are not ideal for outdoor activity if there is a chance of rain as they become very heavy when wet. Check out what the approach to the crag is like – sturdy shoes are usually appropriate, but at times walking boots would be better.
- Waterproofs, windproof jacket, extra layers, sun-cream, hat, gloves, sun cap, sunglasses – depending on the weather. Remember that even on a sunny day a shady crag can still be cool, particularly while belaying.
* a few harnesses and helmets are available, please let the meet organiser know in advance if you need something
Staying in a Hut
- Sleeping bag
- Pillow + case
- Towel
- Toiletries
- Personal medication
- Earplugs – great aid to a good night’s sleep
- Head torch – great to get to or from your bed when others have gone to bed
- Climbing / walking equipment and clothing (see above)
- Food and drink for the weekend, including snacks.
- Huts are usually well equipped with kettles, fridges, ovens, hobs, microwaves and toasters, but tend not to have freezers. The kitchens will have tea towels and kitchen paper but not foil, cling film or plastic bags. Remember that other people will be storing food too so a 4-pint bottle of milk for only a weekend may be excessive and take up valuable space. Some club members may go out to a local pub or café – check with the meets organiser or the new members secretary if this is likely to happen so that you can plan you food accordingly.
- Clothes – you will need clothes to wear on your chosen activities (climbing, walking etc), plus comfortable and warm clothes to wear around the hut – many huts don’t have central heating!
- You may wish to take an extra pair of light shoes to wear around the hut in case your other footwear becomes wet / muddy
- Book / magazine to read during quiet times (or if rain stops play!)
- Phone charger – mobile reception in many huts is limited so phone batteries can quickly diminish due to the phone trying to find a signal.
- Camera
- It is best to carry your items in a soft bag. A suitcase / hard-sided bag is not suitable for most huts due to storage.
Camping meet
- Sleeping bag
- Pillow
- Camping mat / camp bed / air bed
- Blanket
- Towel
- Toiletries
- Personal medication
- Earplugs – great aid to a good night’s sleep
- Head torch
- Climbing / walking equipment and clothing (see above)
- Clothes – you will need clothes to wear on your chosen activities (climbing, walking etc), and warm comfortable clothes to wear on the camp site
- Book / magazine to read during quiet times (or if rain stops play!)
- Camera
- Folding chair – a nice luxury when you don’t have to carry it!
- Tent – when you book on to the meet the organiser will be able to buddy you up with someone to share a tent if you don’t have your own.
- Food and drink for the weekend, including snacks. If you have your own stove and cooking equipment you can take them – but check with your buddy as it may be better to share kit. Don’t forget crockery, cutlery and a mug. If you wish to take a disposable BBQ check to ensure that the campsite allows them. The cooking equipment you have will often determine what food you take with you. Remember that you won’t have a fridge so packet and tinned food is usually the best. Plan for meals that only need one pot to make cooking easier. You may be able to share meals with your buddy to again make the cooking easier. Check with the meet organiser as it may be that everyone will go out for a meal in the evening – making a big difference to your meal planning. Don’t forget things like kitchen paper, foil, cling film or plastic bags. Don’t forget to take washing up liquid and a tea towel with you to clean up your pans!
- It is best to carry your items in a soft bag. A suitcase / hard-sided bag is not suitable for camping due to space in the tent.