Gold Kit List

Duke of Edinburgh Gold Expedition Kit List

Clothes should be light and quick drying.

If you can manage without an optional thing – cross it out!

Remember – NO COTTON (Jeans, T-shirts, Heavy cotton hoodies) X

What to wear

·        Walking trousers – NOT jeans

·        T-shirt

·        Fleece  (warm/light/quick drying)

·        Walking socks

·        Walking boots (be sure they are comfortable)

 

In hot weather

·        Sun hat

·        Sun cream

·        Light long-sleeved shirt

·        Light weight long trousers

·        Sunglasses

 

In wet weather

·        Wear your waterproof coat and trousers as soon as rain starts.

·        DO NOT bring cotton hoodies – cotton holds on to moisture, hoods just become wet and annoying.

·        If your boots are not fully water proof – put small, strong poly bags (e.g.freezer bags) over your walking socks, inside your boots.

 

In cold weather

·        Extra thermal layers (thin & light) e.g. thermal shirt

·        Warm hat and gloves (preferably water proof if rain forecast)

·        Sturdy water bottles can double up as hot water bottles (Bliss!)

·        Sleeping bag liner/ 4 seasons sleeping bag if you have one

Essential Personal kit

·        Good quality water proof jacket with a hood

·        Water proof trousers

·        65 litre rucksack *

·        4 sturdy bin bags / dry bags/ rucksack liners

·        Sleeping mat* (foam mat is lighter than inflatable)

·        Sleeping bag (light but warm enough for conditions)

·        Torch (small)

·        Mug, bowl, cutlery (spork?)

·        Water (1.5 – 2 litres)

·        Spare clothes in case you get wet. (could double as night-wear) e.g. T-shirt, long sleeved T-shirt and jogging trousers.

·        4 x Spare pair walking socks

·        4 x Spare underwear

·        Lightweight towel (tea towel works well)

·        Light toilet bag (see below)

 

Essential Group kit – share out

·         Tent*

·        Trangia stove*

·        Fuel bottle and fuel*

·        Map/map case/route card*

·        Survival bag*

·        Compass (at least 2 per group)

·        Watch (at least 1 per group) – used for navigation.

·        Matches in plastic bag to keep dry (2 per group)

·        Washing up liquid and scourers.

·        Mobile phone in sealable plastic bag (optional)

·        Way to record info for your ‘Aim’ e.g. notebook and pen or camera.

·        Bin bags – Big ones for camp sites plus small ones for journeys.

 

Advice about Food

·        NO raw meat

·        Vacuum packed frankfurters/ salami will keep if you love meat.

·        Dehydrated food is lightest

·        Avoid tins/jars (too heavy)

·        Food that has worked well for groups: pasta parcels/ quick cook pasta/ cous-cous / pasta sauces /tvp/ beanfeast / nuts /dried fruit

Day 1 = lunch / snacks / group meal

Day 2=breakfast/snacks/lunch/group meal

Day 3=breakfast/snacks/lunch/group meal

Day 4 = breakfast / snacks / lunch

Emergency rations e.g. Kendal mintcake / chocolate / cereal bar – not to be eaten unless there is an emergency.

First Aid Kit

·        Own prescription medication [including asthma pumps & epipens]

·        Blister prevention = blister plasters  or zinc oxide tape.

·        Blister treatment = non-adhesive dressings and micropore tape

·        Disposable gloves

·        Plasters (waterproof)

·        Sterile wound dressing

·        Micropore tape

·        Scissors

·        Triangular bandage

·        Paracetamol / ibuprofen if used.

·        Insect repellent (optional)

 

NOTE: if you have specific medical needs or allergies ensure your leader knows.

Toiletries

(Keep to minimum- most items can be shared between group members for lightness. Bring only enough for your trip)

·        Tooth brush

·        Toothpaste

·        Hand sanitiser (optional)

·        Hair brush (optional)

·        Liquid soap / shampoo

Optional extras (but adds extra weight)

·        Light weight shoes for camp-site (crocks /flip-flops)

·        Cards/ light games / small ball

 

*The items in Bold can be supplied by us. If participants would like to use their own compass/ rucksacks / tents / sleeping mats that is fine.

We give out borrowed kit on the morning of the expedition – if you are  borrowing a rucksack just bring your kit to school in a large holdall that can be left in the minibus.

Maximum weight of bag = quarter of your body weight

Body weight / Stone Body weight / Kg Max bag weight / kg
5 32 8
5.5 35 9
6 38 9.5
6.5 41 10
7 44 11
7.5 48 12
8 51 12.5
8.5 54 13.5
9 57 14
9.5 60 15
10 64 16
10.5 67 16.5
11 70 17 only if very fit & strong
11.5 73 18 only if very fit & strong