Wildside

I don’t think you need that…some thoughts on what to bring on a DofE Expedition

Our brilliant instructors often get asked to look at participant rucksacks for a variety of reasons. They may not be fitted correctly, not packed correctly or be too heavy. On most expeditions we run we can fix all those issues at the expedition start point. In the case of a rucksack that is too heavy we will look at the contents and discuss with the participant whether they really need all that is in the rucksack.

We fully realise that it is hard to reduce the weight that participants carry. For expeditions on foot, be it DofE Bronze, Silver or Gold expeditions, there are certain essential items of kit and knowing what to, and what not to bring is not easy. A great starting point is the Wildside Outdoors Expedition Guide. This online resource has loads of tips and advice on DofE Expeditions and contains a packing list. The guide is given to all our participants when they sign up for the expedition with us.

So what can you do to reduce the weight of your rucksack? The golden rule I follow is to ask myself whether I really need the equipment I am carrying. Wildside Outdoors Instructors have loads of experience in what you really need to take with you on expedition … and what you do not. Here are some examples of things you can do to reduce the packed weight of your rucksack:

Carefully consider your washing kit. What can you share? What can you do without? You will need to keep clean, but you don’t need bottles of shampoo or shower gel. Get a bar of soap and then cut a section off. That’s all you need. Or share a small bottle of all purpose soap.

You will need a toothbrush and toothpaste, but consider taking a travel sized toothpaste and sharing that with your group.

Do you need a towel? Some campsites have showers, but some do not. Embrace the fact that showers are for when you are back at home and look forward to washing in a stream on your wild camp. You may want to wash your hands and face but you can then dry yourself on your t-shirt or just let the sun do the job.

Do you need deodorant? Trust me, everyone is not going to be smelling of roses at the end of the expedition. You will not be alone.

Take only the clothes you need. You absolutely need appropriate clothing as part of your layering system, but you do not need a change of socks for every day.

So it’s about being careful and thinking about what you really need. I’ve watched our instructors help participants repack overly heavy rucksacks. I’ve seen entire bottles of aftershave (it was decided that that probably was not needed on a wild camp as the electric razer was not being taken either). I’ve seen participants turn up with a change of clothes for each day (co-ordinated outfits are great, but not required in the middle of the Lake District). I’ve seen hardback novels and study manuals (I love reading but I will embrace forest bathing and talking instead when on expedition).

With careful planning and packing it is possible to reduce the weight of your DofE Expedition rucksack. At Wildside Outdoors we offer loads of assistance with this process. We understand this will be the first camping experience for many participants and will guide you through the process. And always without the aftershave….

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