Me and a mate are off bivvying soon, gonna start off with a night or two away, probably North Downs onto South Downs.
Had a search on here but cannot find a kit list that people take with them, there is the obvious sleeping bag, bivvy bag, mat, stove, food, tools etc but what else do people take?
book, camera, booze. and less the 2nd time. 
Dave did a really good article about bivvying a few months back (just checked - issue 43)
here's the stuff they reviewed:
Alpkit Gourdon 20 Backpack
Alpkit Pipedream 400 Sleeping Bag
Alpkit Wee Airic Sleeping Mat
Alpkit Hunka Bivvy Bag
Alpkit Mytimug
OMM Classic 25 Backpack
OMM Mummery Sleeping Bag
PHD Minimus Sleeping Bag
Marmot Hydrogen Sleeping Bag
Rab Superlight Bivvy Bag
Osprey Talon 33 Backpack
Trek Mates Bivvy Bag
Generic Sleeping Mat
Thermarest Prolite 3 Sleeping Mat
Thermarest Z-Lite Sleeping Mat
MSR Pocket Rocket Stove
MSR Titan Mug
White Box Alcohol Stove
Duo Tarp
Deuter Trans Alpine 30 Backpack
Snugpak Softie Merlin Sleeping Bag
Eurohike Solid Fuel Stove
Topeak Bikamper EXP Tent
Terra Nova Laser Competition Tent
but it's worth downloading the mag if you don't have it for the full story.
wooly hat
hip flask
my top tip is pants to sleep in: better than sweaty bike shorts.
dried apricots and mixed nuts for breakfast
I would like to recommend this site. - http://www.ultralightoutdoorgear.co.uk
Not connected at all just a happy customer. He's internet based but was quite happy for me to turn up in person to buy some kit off him. He's based on the Wynyard Ind est for those of you from the Teesside area.
I'm planning a similar series of jaunts in the summer hols.
MSR Pocket rocket and Titan stove combi.
Thermarest Prolite 4
Outdoor research goretex bivi - £60 new from the states
Osprey talon rucksack
Rab Quatumn 250 endurance down bag from Tower ridge
I second sc-xc's suggestion :o)
Take as little as possible. For the North Downs and a couple of days (having never been and therefore overpreparing and assuming the weather is set fair) I'd go for riding clothes, some fleecy/silk shorts for relaxing in the evening, primaloft/down top (more of this later), mug on a clip (to scoop up water on the go), multi tool and tube, large wide necked water bottle (easy to fill from streams), half sleeping bag AKA pied d'elephant (wear insulated top if necessary) Food of choice, toothbrush, film cannister of suncream and midge repellent/skin so soft (if you get midges that is- probably not). All of that should fit in a 30l pack no problem. Might take a bivvy bag, might not bother depending on where I was sleeping.
Wouldn't bother with a mat or stove unless temperatures are likely to be low, sleeping on rock or rain was likely. In that case I might opt for a tarp rather than a bivvy bag, or if in a forested area a hammock and tarp combo. Bubble wrap can also be used as a very light sleeping mat. Use your pack filled with riding clothes as a pillow. Hip flask with a decent single malt is an option.
For a first trip I can't think you'd need anything other than that listed above, and although with time you'll develop your own preferences, anything more is luxury
Thanks for the relpies so far, downloaded issue 43 but it wont work, doh!
merino top, or a dry other top for when you stop
a firesteel flint incase of wet stove lighter
headtorch
hat for cold mornings
strong filter coffee, and filters altho socks work )
i wouldnt be with out a stove, mainly becase they make life so much nicer.
bird hides (awesome because they'r often marked on a map) or other huts/outbuildings provide a degree of protection from the elements. Remember that in summer everything you leave outside will get covered in condenastion.
Trust the forecast, if it realy does end in an unpredicted torrential downpour you can always got to bed early. But at least you woint have carried a ful set of waterproofs arroud for three days ine the boiling hot sun.
This topic has been closed to new replies.
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
