What to pack, what to pack? Always a struggle for most of us. I have a main packing list that I use whenever I pack for a trip. But what to pack in my day backpack for my recent trip to Tasmania to bush walk at remote Cradle Mountain?
These were my considerations...
1. it is remote there
2. my friend that I was going with does not prepare even 1% for emergency situations
3. we had never been there before
4. all research showed that the weather had large ranges of temperatures and conditions, and there were warnings that it could change quickly, even possibly snowing in the middle of Summer.
5. I wanted a light pack for my many hours walks, each day we ended up doing 4 hour walks
6. I looked high and low on the internet for a good list to no avail.
7. we did not intend on bush walking at night or any overnight camping
8. my friend is far too heavy for me to drag out of the mountains
9. I like to be prepared!
So this is what I packed, everything was sealed in zippered sandwich bags, and split up between my and my friend's backpack:
1. 3 flashlights
2. 2 tealight candles, a lighter and some matches
3. rain ponchos
4. 3 bottles of water, my friend had one as well
5. an emergency blanket
6. wet wipes
7. toilet paper
8. sunscreen
9. insect repellent lotion
10. pen & paper
11. tissues
12. mini first aid kit
13. my mobile phone - it had no reception, but the major phone company provided emergency services reception
14. a carohydrate bar
15. lunch and snacks
16. a compass
17. over the counter pain killers
18. ACE bandage
19. a PLB (personal locator beacon) that I rented from a company for the week. In Australia when someone needs to be rescued in the mountains the emergency services spokesperson goes on the news and says to take one of these. I listened.
20. a hat, gloves, scarf, long johns
21. money and I.D.
22. charged up iPod!
I wore 4 layers the first day as it was quite cold, and water resistant/proof hooded jacket and pants.
We should have had a map, but let's just say that I wasn't in charge of that, someone else was.
What I didn't pack because I couldn't find it locally in the outdoor stores was water purification tablets and a pocket knife.
I also packed several basic medicines and remedies that I left in our accommodation in case we needed it after the walks as we were so remote, there would be no options for finding these easily or without a 2 hour round trip drive.
The Parks Department required all walkers to sign in and out before and after their walks, so they keep track of who returns or doesn't. In the end we had a great time, no injuries or dramas. I consider what I packed to be insurance and I'm always happy when I don't need my insurance!
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