Essex Man Does Walking

Time to check my kit for the 9 day hike along the North Downs. I have changed it a bit from the South Downs Way as I am only camping for 2 nights. So have done away with any cooking equipment and food. Instead I shall rely on pub food and morning cafe’s (If I can find any). Invariably I shall probably put on weight this time rather than lose it! At least I shall have a bit more energy.

It is all going in my Vango 60/70 Sherpa Rucksack. I like this one as it has loads of pockets and, most importantly for a tall man like me a back adjuster. It is probably a little too big this time around. I could have got away with a 50 litre rucksack but not worth the extra expense.

There are two changes to my camping gear. I have gone with the Gram-Counter Gear VLT 1 man tent. This weighs less than 1kg which is about 1.5kg less than the two man tent I lugged around last time. It uses my hiking poles as tent poles and is a single skin tent.

I still have my Highlander Trekker Superlite Sleeping bag at about 0.5kg. However, it was unseasonably cold last time and the 1-2 season sleeping bag didn’t work as well as hoped. So this time I have added a Naturehike sleeping bag liner which should help.

I still have my self-inflating mat, which will be fine for 2 nights but next time I do a longer spell of camping I will change it.

Clothes wise I have a pair of convertible walking trousers and a pair of shorts. I have bought 3 pairs of quick drying breathable boxers and socks. Last time trying to wash and dry the socks and boxers I had was impossible. Along with that I have 3 wick effect tops, a base fleece and a top fleece. All of this is stuffed in a dry bag which doubles as a pillow. I have also bought some cheap canvas shoes to change into when I am staying at motels.

A mac and over trousers as I have seen the forecasts and it looks showery. My walking shoes and TrailBuddy hiking poles. Zinc Oxide for the chaffing! Fungal cream for the feet. Sun screen, soap, travel toothbrush and paste. First Aid kit, batteries, headlight and a travel towel. Some protein bars and fruit and nut mix, may save me if I cannot find anywhere to eat!

My Garmin Etrex 10 is going with me again, I have reloaded the base map and hope that this works better than the OS map I downloaded on it last time. My phone the Unihertz Jellystar is about the same size and I have OS maps on that as well.

Lastly, my trusty hat, keeps the sun off and water and people assume I am a Crocodile Dundee fan. Which of course I am.

Overall the weight comes to just 9kg, with a litre of water added it will be 10kg. This is much much less than last time so should make it a far easier and more enjoyable trek.

Just to point out I do not get paid to name the stuff I use but it might be a useful reference for anyone looking to do the walk or similar.