The pack I use on THE BIG WALK, is listed as being a part of my "Misc Kit" yet selecting the pack, I will purchase will be another long story; thus that will be a separate post. This post is about the other items that will be carried but don't fall into food, clothing, first aide, or trail hygiene.
What I consider part of this kit:
Here's some of these item laid out on my floor.
What I consider part of this kit:
- Sit Pad: so your bony ass doesn't get wet because the ground is wet or poked from rocks. I went with an inexpensive folding egg crate design that is a knock off of the Therma-Rest folding sleeping pad used by many through hikers.
- Head Lamp. The shop elf has a large selection of these, part of his LED lamp (OCD) collection. Yes, he has evaluated the lamp intensity, the battery type and use times. Don't ask why he does not go caving or do any activity in the dark where one would be required. It's part of be prepared and if One is good a gazillion is certainly better. Having explained this, he selected a good lamp that uses disposable batteries that will last over 6 hours in case I get caught on the trail.
- Maps: Not only do I have a gpx map file of the Moray way that I can use on my phone with GPX Viewer which is a free app; I will have printed maps - just in case!
- Reflective Harness: I decided to get this because some of the "trail" is either road or road-side walking plus I might be walking with traffic vs. toward traffic and I want to be seen. I went with an elastic, adjustable X style so if needed it can fit over me and my pack. I just got a XL off of Amazon from the construction section.
- Binoculars: A small set for watching the wildlife. There is a point along the trail what is supposed to be great for bird watching.
- Camera, Memory Cards, and Battery: This is a Sony digital camera that belongs to Elisa and I will use this to take pictures, including macros, and video of the journey to post along the way. I have 2 extra memory cards and 2 rechargeable batteries.
- Mobile Phone: Not only to use for GPS but to take some pictures and to make calls. I use AT&T and they have an add on plan so I call the USA or UK without massive roaming charges. Even though I can take video with my phone it will fill the storage and so I won't.
- Head Phone: so I can listen to music, of course OR talk to the shop elf.
- Battery Bank: This is a massive rechargeable battery that can be used to charge your electronics. The one I have also has a solar panel so it could be used to charge while on the trail but it's slow, it is the Patriot brand with a LED light that can also flash for emergency signaling. The battery can charge your electronics via standard USB or USB-C which is what my mobile phone has. Yes, this is another thing the shop elf has a few of.
- Walking Stick: A single stick, not a pair with a carbide tip for when I need to poke dirt; a rubber cover for when using the stick on a road (so you don't poke holes in the asphalt); a small basket to prevent the pole from sinking into very soft dirt; a cork ball and strap at the top, it's the REI house brand. I went with a single as I won't be hill climbing and will really only need one for support when rock hopping across wet land or streams. If I unscrew the cork ball at the top I have a screw for mounting a camera and so it can become a selfie-stick or a mono-pod.
- Midge Net: May is not midge season in Scotland but one never knows. So I picked one up at REI, it's the Ben brand.
- Covid Mask: During this pandemic, I have been using a Gill Mask, I will bring it along as well as some regular and N95 filters.
- Water Bottle and Bladder: I have a 0.75 silicone water bottle that is collapsible which I have been using for my training walks, it also has a loop so I can put it in a shoulder strap pocket or use a carabiner to hang it off the pack. I will also get a 2-3 liter water bladder to hold water but not with a drinking tube. These will from HydraPack.
- Clear Dry Bags: for the phone, camera and maps. I went with a set from amazon that also have a lanyard so I can attach to the pack when not in use.
- Other emergency stuff: this is compass, whistle, emergency contact information.
Here's some of these item laid out on my floor.
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