Argos tent

[Fishtales]

You can read a bit about it here Fred.

http://www.bikebiz.co.uk/daily-news/article.php?id=3692

They were owned by a Soth African company who were making losses so they sold it to Lonsdale Sports, the boxing company.

I have boght one of the ruchsacks, and another tent. On quick inspection it looks very good. I always put clothes and sleeping bag in plastic bin bags, the reason I asked about waterproofness was because I don't want to carry any more water than I can drink around in the bottom of the bag

I'm gearing up for a walk on the West Highland Way, a mate of mine wants to do it before he gets too old, he's only 51 I haven't done it myself, never had the inclination, but he was going on his own so I said I would go with him. "MUG" is written right across my forehead He only has five days to do it so we are going to be pushing it a bit.

I'll move the rast of this to the walking area.

[johnsd]

Tent bought today looking at rucksacks now if anyone can give me guide to capacity (size) for say one night camp I would be grateful. Also my mate who hill walks but does not fish has suggested an outing for next month somewhere in the trossachs would be ideal, easy trek and a float/ledger allowed for mate to break us in gently but still far from the madding crowd would be nice.

[Wildfisher]

Johnsd, can?t help you with the Trossachs  but my recent 1 night camp at loch Tilt  pretty much  filled my 65ltr rucksack. No matter how  long you go for you need tent, sleeping bag, stove,  plate / pots ( a cheap lightweight set of dixies is ideal). Then you need clothes, don?t take too much in summer though. The main variable is food but this is not the major bulk item if you are careful what you take. Don?t take one of these bulky insulated sleeping mats. Apart from on snow they are not really needed as you can lie on your spare clothes.

Perhaps a section on  the site on this where we could input our ideas on what to take would be a good idea, it is not easy in my experience to get it right. Once we have everyones ideas I couild put up a section on the front page

What do you all think?  Especially you Sandy as you have done a lot of this and have much of your own experience to offer.

[Fishtales]

This is my camping carry list, I try to keep the total weight to <-20kilos.

www.ftscotland.co.uk/angling/CAMPING-carry.htm

You could do away with the Cooker, Gas and Cooking Pot for a one nighter but a warm meal is better.

I would leave most of the clothes at home too, just taking a change of clothes so that I can change if I need to. It is also better to get into dry clothes if you need to wear them in the sleeping bag, even sweaty clothes will chill you.

Take from the essentials what you think you will need.

Anything you take with you that you don't use take a note of it and if after a few outings if you never use it throw it out, there is no point in carrying something if it is never used.

Food is a personal thing but i normally take the small packets of instant noocles, mighty soups and cuppa soups to put in them, crisp bread and primula cheese in the tube for sqeezing on to them. Breakfast I make up individual packets with porridge, dried milk and salt and just add water and cook. For drinking I take coffe, tea bags and this year we took an isotronic powder we got from Holland & Barret, which gives you an amazing lift.

For fishing I am going to leave the waistcoat at home and just carry what I need in the rucksack, the extra weight of the cotton when it gets wet isn't worth it.

The rucksack I have is 45litres and has done me well over the years, but a bit of a squeeze at times. I have now bought a 65litre one but haven't got round to packing it and trying it out yet, but only taking the gear I normally take should make packing easier.

I can't think of anywhere in the trossachs where you have to walk a distance from the road to fish, it isn't an area I frequent prefering farther north.

[Wildfisher]

This is my camping carry list........

Sandy,

Good list.  At first glance, I would add to that, a small first aid kit with a wide bandage for strapping up limbs, pain killers, compass (and ability to use it)  and  :shock:   MIDGE REPELLENT  :shock:   (Autan is good).

[Fishtales]

This is my camping carry list........

Sandy,

Good list.  At first glance, I would add to that, a small first aid kit with a wide bandage for strapping up limbs, pain killers, compass (and ability to use it)  and  :shock:   MIDGE REPELLENT  :shock:   (Autan is good).

I should add them in, I keep forgetting because they are in my bag all the time getting swapped betwen my 65 and 35 that I use for fishing.

First aid kit is crepe bandage, elastoplasts and the sudocream, pain killers are in my fishing vest all the time as I have arthritus in my knees and the joints of my big toes, I also have angina so those tablets have to go too when I am away. My compass I have had in the bag for thirty years and have never had to use it seriously, played with it in the house or when writing the TR and want to know the places I was looking at.

The midge repellent is in my fishing waistcoat and never comes out. I use Jungle Formula but am experimenting with aromatherapy oils at the moment. My mate was given the recipe for midge repellant years ago from an old fella we used to meet when fishing. It was so good you didn't have to put it on your skin just putting it on your clothes was enough to keep everything away. He had to get it made up in the chemists but we have forgotten the ingredients, there were only three and one was to make it smell nice, so I am experimenting.

[Fishtales]

My overnight kit list which will always go with me during Spring to Autumn is as follows;

60 ltr rucsac

I've just boght a 65

Inflatable 3/4 'Thermarest' Sleeping Pad

I use an old blaxmat, full length closed cell foam, thirty years old

Down Sleeping Bag suitable down to -2 C (just in case!)

Waiting on a new Nanok down bag, goes down to -10, I like my comfort

MSR Multi-Fuel Stove

George replaced his old Trangia with this new one, only ?10.

http://www.strikeforcesupplies.co.uk/stock.php?page=14

Scroll half way down.

2 ltr. Pot

Thats about the size I use. I eat out of it instead of carrying a plate. I also have an aluminium kettle that fits inside and a frying pan. part of the set I have had for years, I leave the big pan they all fit into at home and only take it when I am car camping.

Fleece Hat

I'm thinking of getting one for in the sleeping bag, the hair is getting a bit thin on top

Platypus 2ltr Hydration Bottle

George bought one for this year and he found it great, I don't see the point of carrying all that water around when you are surrounded by the stuff, I just take a half litre plastic bottle and fill it up when I need to.

The above list leans heavily towards specialized hillwalking kit as my main interest is walking over fishing.

It doesn't matter what you go into the hills for, you must have the right kit or you spoil the enjoyment.

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[Wildfisher]

The bag I use is an old ?Blacks Polar?  4 season, down filled with no zip so it can be a bit warm in summer, but guaranteed  never to be cold. Have had it for 30 years, cost me about ?100 quid back then, bloody expensive but worth it. I have slept out with it in February in  the Cairngorms when it was so cold I needed a pneumatic drill to get the tent  pegs into the ground. My mates in the next tent did not have such good bags and the sound of their teeth chattering kept me awake most of the night. Inconsiderate bastards.. .. :lol:  :lol:  :lol:

[Wildfisher]

These things swallow a lot of gear - the only difficulty is restricting how much you take!

Blackwitch

I remember  someone ? I believe it was Hamish Brown  - writing,  that once you realise it is you who must carry the pack,  it makes it all   the easier to decide what not to take!  :lol:

[Wildfisher]

I have now become a member of the Argos lightweight tent club .

Davy, welcome to the brotherhood. I have 2 and am away to order a 3rd for Gordon (eldest son) Allan just bought one too and  of course  ?.

Sandy (the  revered one who gave us guidance) is our high priest. :lol:  :lol:  :lol: