Overview

This kit list is split into four sections

• Section 1: The expedition kit list is a list of items needed for the actual expedition. It includes clothes that should be packed or worn, personal kit and group equipment.
• Section 2: The travel kit list is a list of items for travelling to Snowdonia before the expedition, travelling back after the expedition, and the first night/ morning before we start walking.
• Section 3: Expedition food plan will help you design your menu for the weekend and includes the food plan which must be handed back to us.
• Section 4: A kit guide in case you are looking to buy any new gear for the expedition.

Section 1: Expedition Kit list

Information

How to pack your bag
1 – Clothes for Sunday, Washkit, Nightwear etc,
2 – Water, Food
3 – Warm Clothes, Waterproofs etc,
4 – Headtouch, First Aid, Hat & GLoves, whistle, etc

Scouts should pack their own kit in a suitable rucksack that they can carry, it should not weigh more than 25% of their body mass fully loaded. It is essential that scouts Scout packs their bag themselves otherwise they will not be able to find their equipment when required quickly (e.g. a rainstorm). The expedition is going to be physical and mentally challenging so having a lighter rucksack is better. Within the bag, everything should be protected from water using a survival bag, plastic bags (freezer bags or similar), or dry bags.

The list below is a guide which the Scouts should follow for their first expedition.

Kit provided by the Scout

Clothing

• A pair of walking boots
• Two pairs of good walking socks
• Two pairs of sock liners (optional, personal choice)
• A fully waterproof coat
• A pair of waterproof over-trousers
• Two fleece tops or similar
• One or two preferably long sleeve t-shirts (sporty, not cotton!)
• One or two pairs of walking trousers (not cotton, jeans, or tracksuits)
• Two sets of underwear (preferably sporty and not cotton)
• A set of nightwear
• A pair of flipflops or similar (for inside the hostal)
• A warm hat
• A pair of gloves

Personal Kit

• A rucksack
• A whistle (could be attached to the chest strap of your rucksack)
• A torch (with spare batteries)
• One or two water bottle(s) (two-litre capacity in total)
• Flask for a hot drink (can replace liquid capacity above, shouldn’t be extra)
• Some cutlery if required to make lunch
• A mug
• A watch
• Some toilet paper
• Photo ID for YHA hostel (Leaders only)

Wash Kit

• Some soap
• A small toothbrush
• A little toothpaste
• A towel
• Any personal items

Very basic personal first aid kit

Personal first aid kit

(This will probably not be used as we have an extensive group first aid kit but should always be carried in the mountains as best practice)

• Some Blister Plasters (the brand Compeed, are the best by far, and are available at any supermarket)
• A few antiseptic wipes
• A small roll of fabric/ medical/ gaffe tape
• A few plasters
• A low adhesive/ adherent dressing

Optional Kit

• A neck scarf/ buff
• A small pocketknife
• A pair of Sunglasses
• Playing cards
• A flask

How to pick your kit

For every item of gear, you should ask similar questions to what is below. The idea is that you sift out all the unnecessary items that just make your bag heavier. You should never carry an item if there is a lighter alternative that does the same thing and you should never carry two things that do the same job. However, ideally, everything in your bag will have multiple uses or can be used for several things. Examples below.

• My spare t-shirt will be suitable for inside the hostel after I shower AND for sleeping in AND  for walking in the next day. (I will not pack a t-shirt for the hostel, a t-shirt to sleep in and a t-shirt to walk in the next day. everything can be done by 1 item so only pack that 1 item.)
• My flask can also be used to carry water AND can be used as a Mug. So, I will not pack 2l of water bottles, my flask and a mug rather I will pack 1.5l of water bottles, 0.5l flask and no mug.)

Section 2: Travel kit list

Information

Scouts should pack their own kit in a suitable bag. A bag for life or a small backpack will suffice. Nothing valuable should be packed as these will be left in the car while we are walking.

Clothes

• A pair of comfortable trousers
• One or two t-shirts
• A hoodie/ jumper or similar
• Two pairs of socks
• Two pairs of underwear
• A pair of trainers or similar
• Nightwear

Other stuff

• A sleeping bag
• A roll matt
• A Wash Kit (could be separate from your expedition wash kit or you could use the same one)
• A Water bottle (must be a separate one from your expedition list. You don’t want to finish the expedition to find you have drunk all your water and that there you don’t have any waiting in the cars!)
• Two bin bags to put dirty and wet kit and shoes into after we finish
• Some snacks to share for the journeys (if you’re wondering Alex likes Roundtree randoms ?)
• Some pocket money to get a meal at the services on the way back, if wanted.
• Anything, except electronics, that will stop you from saying, “are we there yet”!

Section 3: Expedition food plan

Section 4: Kit Guide

Alex or Mat can provide help or information regarding buying any new kit just come and speak to us on a Monday night or give us a call.

Scout Discounts

• Go Outdoors: 10% off (show your neckerchief at the store or use the code SCT10 online. If that code does not work contact us for the latest one, as they change often)
• Blacks and Millets: 15% off (Online Code 15SCT If that code does not work contact us for the latest one, as they change often)

General Info

In general, we would recommend you by gear that is on the cheaper side because the Scouts are unlikely to benefit from the advantages of the more expensive gear which are normally technical features or long term durability. Having said that the gear should still function (e.g a waterproof should still be 100% waterproof).

Specific Info

The Duke of Edinburgh Award is the premier organization for youth expeditions and provide extensive advice on gear for similar expeditions. Below is their guide to the kit which is very comprehensive.

Go outdoors is the closest place to get outdoor gear and they provide a quick and easy guide to purchasing gear (below). As Scout, you also get a discount if you show your neckerchief in their store (We have an online discount code we can give you as well. let us know if you want it).

PDF Download