Go remote:
Like backpacking, carry sufficient food and equipment to enable a night out. In turn, travel further.
Minimalist:
It brings out the gear geek in you. Size matters! Weight matters!
From food to clothing, sleeping to cooking, everything must be small, but efficient as space is majorly limited. If its not crucial to the trip, it stays at home.
I plan to share my thought processes into why I opt for certain gear over other similar brands or systems. If it works I will brag about it, if it doesn't i'll tell you why.
The cooking system
I have used loads of different cooking systems other the years backpacking...
1. Petrol: Good, fast, efficient but bulky, noisy and can be dirty. I used an MSR stove for years. I was always a little wary of it!
2. Gas: Good, fast, clean, but bulky. I had a primus stove after my MSR abd loved it. But, what do you do with the gas cylinders when empty?...it always played on my mind!
3. Meths: I always bad mouthed meths as it reminded me of D of E trips, cooking shit food and generally not using it correctly. However, I was reintroduced to meths recently and slowly started to think that this is way to go. If done correctly a really small light compact system can be put together.
This is mine:
- Alpkit titanium mug.
- Green Giant sweetcorn tin (empty! - make sweetcorn fritters with the contents or use as bait to catch a Tench or Carp!).
- Trangia meths burner.
- Foil windshield.
What more can I say...Check out:
http://wildcatgear.co.uk/
I have yet to use this gear in anger but the idea is excellent. Simple being the key.
Sleeping
Down or synthetic? This debate goes on and on!
There is no doubt that the weight to warmth ratio of down is better than that of synthetic bags. But only if they are dry.
I have used a down bag for 15 years with no problem and have always been warm. They key is to pack carefully.
If funds allow check out:
http://www.phdesigns.co.uk/ but the other options are Alpkit (if instock!), Rab and mountain equipment. I will give you the heads up on the PHD bag when my new one arrives!...
