All about hiking gear, reviews, preferences…
Your day hiking pack is clearly an essential part of your hiking kit, but an uncomfortable pack can easily negatively affect your entire hiking experience. While it can be tempting to use any old bag when you are starting, those designed for the purpose have the advantages of; Being robust in construction materials, zips and …
A Personal Locater Beacon, is the last resort device you can rely on in the outdoors when there is an emergency requiring rescue assistance. Mobile / Cellular telephones work great in the city, but because they operate on UHF radio channels they only operate “line of sight,” which means their connection to the network is …
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? Drinking Bladders (*1) are fantastic for facilitating Adequate Hydration while enjoying any outdoor activity including Hiking. The Advantages over Drink bottles are; Volume: You can easily carry sufficient water for your hydration requirements.(per/hr) Balance: Bladder’s empty from the bottom, so when carried in the correct position, your pack balance is maintained …
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 …