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SHORT EXCURSION KIT LIST (in pictures here)
This kit list is for parties of two or more individuals undertaking a short overnight exursion into the New Zealand bush. A number of items of kit are optional, though it is highly recommended that you take them with you. At least one person in the party should carry each of the items marked "optional" or "at least one per party" and everyone should carry their own of the other items of kit listed.
Please be aware that it is intended that this kit list should be used as input to the formation of your own kit list during the planning of your trip. Please use this list as a starting point for your own kit list and ensure you take with you anything not included on the list that you will require. You may need to modify the list to suit the weather conditions that you believe you may face. Remember, make sure you are fully aware of the current weather forecasts for the location you intend to travel to and are prepared for the worst the weather can throw at you!
Please be aware, also, that this kit list does not include food or other dietary requirements.
Note: When you are in the wilds, it is imperative that you carry the means to create fire and build shelter on your person. If you should loose your back pack in a fall or river crossing and are wet, you will very often need to find or build shelter and to create fire to dry yourself (to reduce your chance of getting hypothermia), to prepare food from the land, to make water safe to drink and to alert rescuers of your location. In New Zealand, this means carrying a good bush knife and a reliable way of creating fire (even when wet) such as a fire flash.
SHORT EXCURSION KIT LIST (in pictures here)
| Trip Duration | 1 to 3 nights |
| Group Size | 2 to 5 people |
| Conditions | Temperate climate, New Zealand bush setting. Emergency equipment for extremes of weather. |
This kit list is for parties of two or more individuals undertaking a short overnight exursion into the New Zealand bush. A number of items of kit are optional, though it is highly recommended that you take them with you. At least one person in the party should carry each of the items marked "optional" or "at least one per party" and everyone should carry their own of the other items of kit listed.
Please be aware that it is intended that this kit list should be used as input to the formation of your own kit list during the planning of your trip. Please use this list as a starting point for your own kit list and ensure you take with you anything not included on the list that you will require. You may need to modify the list to suit the weather conditions that you believe you may face. Remember, make sure you are fully aware of the current weather forecasts for the location you intend to travel to and are prepared for the worst the weather can throw at you!
Please be aware, also, that this kit list does not include food or other dietary requirements.
Note: When you are in the wilds, it is imperative that you carry the means to create fire and build shelter on your person. If you should loose your back pack in a fall or river crossing and are wet, you will very often need to find or build shelter and to create fire to dry yourself (to reduce your chance of getting hypothermia), to prepare food from the land, to make water safe to drink and to alert rescuers of your location. In New Zealand, this means carrying a good bush knife and a reliable way of creating fire (even when wet) such as a fire flash.
Cutting Tools
| Item | Check |
| Bush Knife | |
| Folding Saw + Spare Blade (at least one per party) | |
| Small Hand Axe (optional / essential in Winter) | |
| Sharpening Stones (at least one per party) |
Fire Lighting
| Item | Check |
| Fire Flash (or other spark generator) | |
| Tinder Box + Dry Tinder | |
| Matches and/or Lighter (optional) | |
| Candles (optional) | |
| Head Torch + Spare Batteries |
Shelter
| Item | Check |
| Tarp + minimum Two Guys (Long) | |
| Bivvy Bag / Hammock | |
| Sleeping Bag (rated to temperatures you expect to encounter) | |
| Sleeping Mat (e.g. Self-Inflating) / Hammock insulation (foam & aluminium car windscreen sun-shade works well) | |
| Ground Sheet | |
| D.O.C. Hut Passes (if required) |
Navigation
| Item | Check |
| Maps (covering all of the trip) + Map Case | |
| Compass |
Cooking
| Item | Check |
| Water Treatment (e.g. Iodine, PuraTabs etc.) | |
| Billy | |
| Mug | |
| Stove + Fuel (at least one per party with enough fuel for whole trip + spare) | |
| Wooden Cooking Spoon | |
| Metal Eating Spoon | |
| Washing-Up Cloth (at least one per party) | |
| Water Bottles (2 x 1Ltr) |
Carrying Equipment
| Item | Check |
| Back Pack (45Ltr+) | |
| Pack Liner - Inner (e.g. Roll-Top / Polythene Waterproof Bag) | |
| Pack Liner - Outer (e.g. Nylon Waterproof Shell) | |
| Small Bag Hood Liner - Inner (e.g. Roll-Top / Polythene Waterproof Bag) |
Possibles
| Item | Check |
| First Aid / Medical Kit (at least one per party, preferrably two) | |
| Sewing Kit (optional) | |
| Toothbrush + Toothpaste | |
| Soap | |
| Towel | |
| Loo Paper | |
| Skin Protection - Sun (e.g. UV Filtering Sun Screen + Lip Balm) | |
| Skin Protection - Insects / Bites |
Clothing
| Item | Check |
| On your head... | |
| Sun Hat | |
| Woollen Hat | |
| Sunglasses | |
| On your body... | |
| Water- & Wind-Proof Outer Shell (e.g. GoreTex Jacket) | |
| Warm Woollen Jumper / Fleece | |
| Thermal Layer - Upper | |
| Thermal Layer - Lower + Spare | |
| On your hands... | |
| Woollen Gloves / Mits | |
| On your legs... | |
| Outer Shorts / Trousers | |
| Thermal Layer - Long Johns | |
| On your feet... | |
| Thick Woollen Socks | |
| Strong, Well-Fitting Boots | |
| Gaiters (optional) | |
| Spare Woollen Socks | |
| Camp / Hut Shoes (optional) |