All about hiking gear, reviews, preferences…
Ideally keep your Emergency kit on your person in a small bag, or pocket of your clothing particularly if you don’t yet carry a Personal locater beacon.(PLB)(*1) I always carry the following items Personal shelter: Pocket Survival bag by NZMSC weighing 140g this compressed plastic blue bag opens to 190cm x 80cm for shelter. …
Why a Head Lamp? Whether you are still walking after sun down, or enjoy hiking at night, the steady focused and hands free beam of head lamp is far superior to any thing achievable with a traditional torch. The head lamp makes tasks like cooking, setting up camp, climbing difficult terrain and absolute simplicity, no …
Defining your taste in Outdoor Clothing can be a process of trial and error in the beginning (both the informed and the ill informed!) until you find combinations that work for you. The Outdoor Clothing System When ever and where ever you go hiking in New Zealand, you need to keep in mind that the …
What is a Thermal Profile? Your thermal profile is essentially how “Hot” or “Cold” your body runs comfortably in response to; Physical exercise – Light, Medium, Heavy. Climatic / Weather conditions. Being at rest – Sleeping, Seated, Laying in front of the TV… Hot; Physical exercise, increases our Metabolism and moving muscles create heat. While …
Kit Contents First aid is about; Recognition or a problem, Preventing further harm And where required arranging higher level care. You don’t need much in a first aid kit to achieve these goals, most people have sufficient in just in their pack and equipment to do the job just right, but having a separate small …
Why Drink Bladders? Since Adequate hydration makes all the difference between a comfortable and uncomfortable hiking experience, hydration bladders have; Volume: You can carry sufficient water for your hydration requirements(per/hr) between water sources. Balance: A Drink Bladder empties from the bottom, so carried in the correct position centred against your back, it does not alter …
I have a small stove(that is designed to be used with the disposable compressed Butane or mixed gas cannister.) I take the stove on Day hikes when; Long Hikes(For a quick brew if the weather gets nasty /emergency) Simple Overnight trips to back country huts(Good track in/ out) New Zealand Great Walks where the huts …
Forecasting weather in the New Zealand outdoors has always been difficult, with it being not uncommon to experience all seasons in one day. The presences and effectiveness of your Wet Weather Gear, can thus make all the difference to the success of your trip, perhaps even your survival depending on the location. My wet weather …
Getting the right socks for your activity is as important as the right footwear, and can make or break your comfort. To keep the joy in hiking your feet need to remain; Comfortable /dry Blister free Healthy These days there are plenty of hiking socks on the market made from a wide ranger of materials …
Everybody will have their own Individual preferences between Hiking Shoes and Boots based on their own experiences and mentors, so I will endeavour and keep this post simple in discussing the differences that I have observed; Many people start out hiking in their Sports Shoes, and this is totally fine provided; The weather is good. …