Camping 101 in Victoria

[Mifferz]

Decided this year I want to get into camping in preparation for the Overland Track in Tasmnaia early January.

Well since it's winter and starting out, need something easy at first where there's easy access for a sedan, water, not too isolated incase we need to bail out when the weather hits the fan. Plan to do hikes

I got hiking boots, gaiters, 60L backpack, 0 degrees sleeping bag, mat, 3 man tent, lantern, head-torch, compass, whistle, waterproof sack, hand-spade, beanie, gloves, camelbak, first aid kid and a CAN DO ATTITUDE.

Going to need a cooker and fuel, billy/cast iron pan(?), recipes, maybe some thermals, tarp, insect repellent. Some bourban/whisky for non-rainy nights!

Any other equipment I'll need? Location? Food to bring?

[Mifferz]

Ordered a flint fire starter on ebay for $1.60
And looking at a Trangia Mini Stove Cookset - light and good reviews.

Wish my mates had the same enthusiasm as me Might have to go solo

[KriiV]

Originally Posted by Mifferz

And looking at a Trangia Mini Stove Cookset - light and good reviews.

I've got a trangia in the garage. It's really nice to cook in and has a really simple and effective fold away system. I'd recommend it.

[Mifferz]

Originally Posted by KriiV

I've got a trangia in the garage. It's really nice to cook in and has a really simple and effective fold away system. I'd recommend it.

Yep, going to order one (the Mini). Lightweight and affordable.

[timsarg]

Originally Posted by Mifferz

I got hiking boots, gaiters, 60L backpack, 0 degrees sleeping bag, mat, 3 man tent, lantern, head-torch, compass, whistle, waterproof sack, hand-spade, beanie, gloves, camelbak, first aid kid and a CAN DO ATTITUDE.

Going to need a cooker and fuel, billy/cast iron pan(?), recipes, maybe some thermals, tarp, insect repellent. Some bourban/whisky for non-rainy nights!

Any other equipment I'll need? Location? Food to bring?

ditch the lantern, if you have a head torch , carry a spare head torch as the lantern is unwanted weight and space . Depending on where you want to sleep is your sleeping back 0 degrees comfort or 0 degrees minimum temp ? Personally i would be looking at , especially in victoria in winter the coldest sleeping back you can get . If you are hiking you need to learn to travel with minimal equipment . What does your first aid kit comprise of ? What sort of food are you taking ? I would suggest taking as much packet food as possible to reduce weight . How much water will you be carrying and how far between water sources ?

It really depends on how many days you want to be hiking for .

[Mifferz]

Originally Posted by timsarg

ditch the lantern, if you have a head torch , carry a spare head torch as the lantern is unwanted weight and space . Depending on where you want to sleep is your sleeping back 0 degrees comfort or 0 degrees minimum temp ? Personally i would be looking at , especially in victoria in winter the coldest sleeping back you can get . If you are hiking you need to learn to travel with minimal equipment . What does your first aid kit comprise of ? What sort of food are you taking ? I would suggest taking as much packet food as possible to reduce weight . How much water will you be carrying and how far between water sources ?

It really depends on how many days you want to be hiking for .

Shouldn't I carry spare batteries rather than another head-torch? It's a mini-lantern... but guess I can leave it.

Sleeping bag - Whoops it isn't 0c, it's -2c. But according to here it says comfort http://www.anaconda.com.au/Product/B...5-Sleeping-Bag

First Aid Kit -

• non-woven swab x 4
• adhesive plasters x5 (sterile)
• H Shaped Adhesive Plasters x 4 (Sterile)
• long adhesive strip x 1
• soap wipes x 3 (sterile)
• Cleansing Wipes (NaCL) x 3 (Sterile)
• Scissors x 1
• Adhesive Tape x 1 Roll
• Tweezers x 1
• Emergency Blanket x 1
• Elastic Bandage x 2
• Latex Gloves x 1 pair
• Triangular Bandage x 1
• Safety Pin x 6
• PVC Bag x 1

Foods - packet tuna, nuts, chocolates, porridge, pasta/rice, noodles, carrot, celery, potato and some uncut salami. Gathered this is all from research from google and easy meals. And yes they'll be in packets and not hard containers.

Water-wise I got a 3L camelbak. Distance between water sources - guess that depends on the location.

Overnight for starters

Bought a set of thermals underwear and top.

How about a swiss army knife?

[1shot1kill]

Originally Posted by Mifferz

Ordered a flint fire starter on ebay for $1.60
And looking at a Trangia Mini Stove Cookset - light and good reviews.

Take a Bic lighter as well, use it as the first option. Also take some tinder and some char cloth.

Originally Posted by Mifferz

Any other equipment I'll need?

Map+protractor and the knowledge to use them.

[Mifferz]

Originally Posted by 1shot1kill

Take a Bic lighter as well, use it as the first option. Also take some tinder and some char cloth.

Map+protractor and the knowledge to use them.

I was thinking of bringing waterproof matches, but guess the Bic lighter is the cheaper option.

Map! Forgot about that. I got a compass/ruler and know how to use that.

Weighed my bag, sleeping bag, mat and tent and it's already 8.5kg

[plasticbastard]

If you're going to go solo (in fact, even if you go with mates), always take some sort of beacon with you to use in an emergency situation. You should also tell someone where you're going and when you expect to arrive at your destination. Always pack spare batteries for torches, and always have a spare torch that uses the same batteries. You never know when a bulb or lens might get damaged.

For torches, I suggest looking into LED torches, and not those crappy $5 cheapies you can pickup at the counter in Woolworths. Get one that is water, dust, and impact resistant.

If you haven't already, did someone to train you up on map reading & compass navigation. Really crucial skills to have. If you can afford it, a GPS unit is also a great tool to have (always take a compass though!).

It's also a good idea to have a reliable knife with you.

[n000b]

Originally Posted by Mifferz

Ordered a flint fire starter on ebay for $1.60
And looking at a Trangia Mini Stove Cookset - light and good reviews.

I wouldn't bother with anything like that. I just carry two lighters (at least one in a waterproof container), or get some waterproof matches.

Originally Posted by Mifferz

And looking at a Trangia Mini Stove Cookset - light and good reviews.

I got a mini trangia recently, it's tiny and a perfect size for one person but the wind shield sucks - it's barely usable if there is any sort of a breeze. I think I'm going to upgrade to a mini gas stove, something like this, or if you are mostly heating liquids then you can't go past the Jetboil system.

Always carry a good multi-tool/swiss army knife - most useful thing ever.

Edit: don't forget that you also need to factor in fuel for the trangia.

[Eclipsor]

Check out the bushwalking Australia forums. They started out as Bushwalking Tasmania forums so they are especially good for getting info in prep for the overland track.

You'll get what you pay for as far your big 4 go (tent, sleeping bag, pack, sleeping pad). Camping down to 0 deg my entire pack would weigh around 8.5kg for an overnight walk including 2L of water and food. To get quality gear for cheaper you usually have to buy from the USA.

As far as pocket knife. I don't think it is essential unless you're planning on building your own hut Bear Grylls style. I carry a small plastic handle scalpel. Sometimes a small Leatherman Juice (the scissors one). I've found scissors to be a lot more useful than a knife.

Also, if your'e going to use pre-made freeze dried meals you'll only need a stove that can boil water. There are some very light options out there for this purpose. I use this one. 188g's for stove, pot and bowl/cup.

[HumbleBum]

Originally Posted by plasticbastard

If you're going to go solo (in fact, even if you go with mates), always take some sort of beacon with you to use in an emergency situation. You should also tell someone where you're going and when you expect to arrive at your destination. Always pack spare batteries for torches, and always have a spare torch that uses the same batteries. You never know when a bulb or lens might get damaged.

For torches, I suggest looking into LED torches, and not those crappy $5 cheapies you can pickup at the counter in Woolworths. Get one that is water, dust, and impact resistant.

If you haven't already, did someone to train you up on map reading & compass navigation. Really crucial skills to have. If you can afford it, a GPS unit is also a great tool to have (always take a compass though!).

It's also a good idea to have a reliable knife with you.

This.. also depending on location and time of year, expect <0 temps. There is very little mobile reception in a lot of locations.

[Mifferz]

Originally Posted by plasticbastard

If you're going to go solo (in fact, even if you go with mates), always take some sort of beacon with you to use in an emergency situation. You should also tell someone where you're going and when you expect to arrive at your destination. Always pack spare batteries for torches, and always have a spare torch that uses the same batteries. You never know when a bulb or lens might get damaged.

For torches, I suggest looking into LED torches, and not those crappy $5 cheapies you can pickup at the counter in Woolworths. Get one that is water, dust, and impact resistant.

If you haven't already, did someone to train you up on map reading & compass navigation. Really crucial skills to have. If you can afford it, a GPS unit is also a great tool to have (always take a compass though!).

It's also a good idea to have a reliable knife with you.

Hmmm an emergency beacon seems logical. Will add to my to shopping list.
Got one LED head torch that was a few bucks in Malaysia... will invest another one.
I did a bit of rogaining last year which is pretty much orienteering and learned how to read a map and use the compass. But will need to refresh my memory.

Originally Posted by n000b

I wouldn't bother with anything like that. I just carry two lighters (at least one in a waterproof container), or get some waterproof matches.



I got a mini trangia recently, it's tiny and a perfect size for one person but the wind shield sucks - it's barely usable if there is any sort of a breeze. I think I'm going to upgrade to a mini gas stove, something like this, or if you are mostly heating liquids then you can't go past the Jetboil system.

Always carry a good multi-tool/swiss army knife - most useful thing ever.

Edit: don't forget that you also need to factor in fuel for the trangia.

One lighter, one pack of matches and my firestarter thingy should cover fire.
Windshield that bad? Hmmm
Bidded on a SAK on ebay as we speak

Originally Posted by Eclipsor

Check out the bushwalking Australia forums. They started out as Bushwalking Tasmania forums so they are especially good for getting info in prep for the overland track.

You'll get what you pay for as far your big 4 go (tent, sleeping bag, pack, sleeping pad). Camping down to 0 deg my entire pack would weigh around 8.5kg for an overnight walk including 2L of water and food. To get quality gear for cheaper you usually have to buy from the USA.

As far as pocket knife. I don't think it is essential unless you're planning on building your own hut Bear Grylls style. I carry a small plastic handle scalpel. Sometimes a small Leatherman Juice (the scissors one). I've found scissors to be a lot more useful than a knife.

Also, if your'e going to use pre-made freeze dried meals you'll only need a stove that can boil water. There are some very light options out there for this purpose. I use this one. 188g's for stove, pot and bowl/cup.

Woah 8.5kgs including all that, my cheapo 3man tent is definitely weighing me down. I can imagine another at least 3 kgs of food, meth spirits, cook gear, cutlery, night clothes, batteries, spare torch. Ugh

The caldera looks pretty good actually. Might get this over the triangia min, only problem is sacrificing a frying pan.

[Eclipsor]

Originally Posted by Mifferz

...
Woah 8.5kgs including all that, my cheapo 3man tent is definitely weighing me down. I can imagine another at least 3 kgs of food, meth spirits, cook gear, cutlery, night clothes, batteries, spare torch. Ugh

The caldera looks pretty good actually. Might get this over the triangia min, only problem is sacrificing a frying pan.

Yeah, its probably good to start off with cheaper gear though to make sure you're going to enjoy it before outlaying a lot of money. Gram counting is a slippery (and expensive) slope. The bushwalking forums are a good source for quality 2nd hand gear too.

For dinners we usually use freeze dried meals to avoid needing a frying pan or anything. Just add boiling water. They can be a bit pricey though. There is also these guys which are fairly new. It's basically like tinned food but in a bag. So it weighs more than the freeze dried but you don't need to add water (probably tastes a bit better too).

I think a spare torch is a bit overkill too. Buy a quality brand, test it before you go. Unless you're planning on walking at night it's not really a catastrophe if it dies anyway. Set up camp and cook before it gets dark. Look into merino clothing and quick dry synthetic underwear. Less stink equals not having to take as many spares.

You can hire emergency beacons too which is another option.

[1shot1kill]

Originally Posted by Mifferz

I was thinking of bringing waterproof matches, but guess the Bic lighter is the cheaper option.

Use the Bic, keep the ferrocerium rod as a back up.

Originally Posted by Mifferz

Map! Forgot about that. I got a compass/ruler and know how to use that.

How do you use a ruler to plot a bearing on a map? Get a protractor, learn how to navigate.

Originally Posted by Mifferz

Weighed my bag, sleeping bag, mat and tent and it's already 8.5kg

My webbing used to weigh more than that when I was in the Army.