Expedition Kit Handy Tips

On my recent Training Trek around Cannock Chase at the World Challenge Training Centre I had the chance to use much of my kit for the first time this year.

I learnt a few things worth sharing;

• Just because the sun was shining on Wednesday didn’t mean it was time to move to a summer sleeping bag. It was definitely just above freezing by 9:00pm. It should have been my lovely snug Marmot Sawtooth rather than the Snugpack Kilo, which is more suitable for July.
  

  Marmot Sawtooth

• Its not easy to quickly get out of a sleeping bag in a rush, even when the “Challengers” were shouting to you to come and look at the amazing thing streaking across the sky. Missed the meteor – damn it.
• My Water-filter broke, while checking for leaks. I am now converting to Chlorine drops, which are the World Challenge standard, even in darkest Africa. I will test this out on my next expedition.
• My cheap sleeping mat decided to go down in under 5 minutes after I lay down. This was not good and I had to put my sit-mat and coat underneath to keep out the cold. Its time to fork out for a NeoAir mat once I get my first expedition sorted.
  

  Therm-a-Rest NeoAir

• I learnt all about Trangia Stoves, and how not to cook porridge on them, without creating a horrible mess for washing up. They look good for group expeditions, but not really suitable for Wild Camping treks.

That’s about it for now, more gear reviews during the summer.