Camping advice needed

RossG

RossG

RossG

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Joined
5 Dec 2007
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Location
Harrow, London
I'm off for a long weekend camping and hiking up in Edale, the Penine way over the Easter weekend in March. Now this will be my first time going camping properly (last time I did it I was in the cub scouts). We have most of our equipment sorted out but I do need some advice on some othe stuff.
First of all, I'm not totally sure what the weather will be like when we get up there. I'm going to guess it'll be cold, windy and raining. Anyone been there or around there before at that type of year can confirm this?

At the moment, the equipment/clothing I need are a good water/windproof jacket, a decent fleece or similar to go underneath, some hiking socks, a half decent sleeping bag and some walking boots. Now I don't have loads of money at the moment so I'll need these items as cheap as possible while still being effective enough for the conditions. I'm assuming a t-shirt, fleece and a waterproof jacket will be enough for my upper body. For my lower body I was just going to wear some cheap jeans with waterproof trousers over the top?

Would be great if someone could advise me on the above :)
 
Rule 1.

Never buy boots and not wear them in. If you walking easter get them now and wear them where ever you can.

Rule 2.

If a sleeping bag say down to 5c that really means that thats the lowest you can go to sustain life! Not to be comfy.

I'm guessing your gona pitch the walk from the tent as a base, not take the tent with you. If so then just take a good quilt,or the sleeping bag and the quilt.


I'd go with a set go hellys and layer cloths up. nothing gets you cold like sweat coated cotton.


We finaly gave up tenting last year and brought a VW camper. We stayed a week in -7c and BBQed every night. could write you name in the frost on the tent by 4pm :D
 
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We finaly gave up tenting last year and brought a VW camper. We stayed a week in -7c and BBQed every night. could write you name in the frost on the tent by 4pm
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same here bought a caravan though. icy cold beers in the fridge .hot showers . oven cooked meals.

its great
 
If its cheap you want, the peter storm stuff in millets isn't bad for the money. Your main priority should be boots though.

Most importantly, a MAP, COMPASS and the knowledge to use them.

I used to work in the outdoor industry years ago and did my Mountain Leader course some years ago.

Here are some useful links for you mate:

http://www.thebmc.co.uk/Category.aspx?category=5

http://www.fieldandtrek.com/article...taying-warm-and-dry.-tech_layering_system.htm

http://www.abc-of-hiking.com/info/hiking-safety.asp

The weather, no matter what its doing in the lowlands and valley's, will be much colder, wetter and windier up on the peak + windchill.

Some kit here:

http://www.millets.co.uk/041306/product/041306.aspx?searchbreadcrumbs=041306

http://www.millets.co.uk/Footwear/Mens-Footwear/Mens-KSB-Skye-X-Lite-eVEN/product/082994.aspx

http://www.millets.co.uk/Camping/Sleeping-Equipment/Summit-ASC-1000/product/094353.aspx

Don't waste money on socks - best option is one very thin pair with a thicker pair over the top.

RossG said:
....... For my lower body I was just going to wear some cheap jeans with waterproof trousers over the top?
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ABSOLUTELY NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

BOOTS are the most important: It doesn't matter how much fancy kit you buy....its your feet that have to carry it and your cold, wet ass on and off the hill.

Have fun, be safe, hope this helps :)
 
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Blacks do some cheap sleeping bags which are really quite good for the cash.

Jeans are never good for walking in. Sweat or moisture make them very heavy. Go to blacks/milletts and get some walking trousers for not too much I imagine. Waterproof ones for over the top aren't expensive either.

For the jacket you may be able to get a north face or something along those lines from TKMaxx for a lot cheaper.


Balaclavas are brilliant, especially the fleecey ones which have a scarf type bit attached.

Make sure your boots are waterproof too!

If it's proper cold get some thermal underwear too.


In your sleeping bag strip off to just underwear(or thermals) as it lets the heat "swim" around you, instead of concentrating it, so your feet don't get cold.
 
nokinidea said:
The most important thing
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You can get these for a fiver a pop from ebay if you buy them in tens.

As for trousers, and they're not the most fashionable at all, I would recommend a pair of Ron Hill tracksters. I've been atop many a hill wearing them and my legs have remained toasty warm in the strongest of gales. I wear them for running, but I've seen hikers/ramblers wear them
 
AndyOcUK said:
They are dehydrated rat packs mate - they'd be safe to eat ten years out of date :D

Besides, he's not invading a country here, its only Edale :D
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Yea I know, The ones I had were five years outta date and still tasted great. :D

Although I kept burning the porridge :(
 
expct snow and hope for better.
Ok, chances of snow are low but it could happen and you should be prepared.

tip 2, never, ever, ever wear jeans as trousers, even under a waterproof shell. A fundamental mistake which is known to have cost lives!

Even just some cheap polyester trackies would be a million times better.
 
Most people have covered the equipment so I won't reiterate their advice but I will give you an important bit of advice that a lot of people seem to ignore nowadays.

Treat the Mountain with respect or it will kill you.
 
Thanks for all the advice guys. What is so dangerous about wearing jeans then, out of curiousity?
 
RossG said:
Thanks for all the advice guys. What is so dangerous about wearing jeans then, out of curiousity?
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Denim holds water like a sponge. Jeans get wet. Cold water next to your skin lowers your body temperature you get hypothermia. In the worse case scenario you die of hypothermia.

Jeans are crap for mobility as well...
 
Well I survived the trip and had a bloomin' great time :D

Now we are looking to go again, but this time in Snowdonia. Anybody know any good camp sites around there, preferabley one that allows fires? Must be within walking distance to all the best walks around there too.

And as for D.P saying that it probably wouldn't snow in Edale:

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Thats the inside of our tent. We opened it up in the morning and it all fell in. We cleaned most of it out and put the kettle on for a cup of tea at 5:30AM. It was wonderful ^_^
 
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