REMEMBER!

Your rucksack and contents should not weigh too much!

Aim for about 25% of your body weight, perhaps a little more,

much more than this and you WILL suffer!

Also remember that when it is on your back it will appear lighter than when in your hand!

K.I.S.S.

KEEP IT SIMPLE, STUPID!

So your about to leave what has been your home, what do you NEED to take?

First of all you will need a big bag to put your kit in a large rucksack is preferable, you may have a vechicle, but for how long!

Into your rucksack you will need all of the following, and thats just for starters:-

• A shelter for sleeping under, a small tent? or Basha?
• A sleeping bag, try for a "Mummy" type with a top zip rather than a side zip.
• A mat to sleep on, a therm-a-rest, or similar, is propably the best but any closed foam mat will do.
• Get yourself a Map of your area, and enough maps to get you to your destination.
• Get a compass, preferably a silva, but you need something with degrees and a base-plate on it.
• Pop a small gas camping stove in, and a couple of spare cannisters, screw type preferable. I use gas, as it is, I feel, more convenient to use.
• Some pots and pans for cooking in, army mess tins are ideal for this as they are quite compact.
• At least two 1ltr bottles for drinking water.
• A plastic or alluminium mug, insulated are good, but can you warm your hands on it?
• Knife, fork and spoon set.
• Get a good quality first aid kit, but do not forget to put any medication you are on in it.
• A small head torch, and a hand held torch, don't forget the spare bulbs and batteries.
• Personal hygiene kit, plenty of hand soap and nail brush, and a couple of hair combs or brushes.
• Food and Clothing, get in as much as you can carry, you may be away for a while.
• Any memories you want to take, photo's etc, and some luxuries, and of course a good survival book

So where do you get your kit from, and how much do you spend?

The second is easier to answer, spend as much as you can afford, but aim to get quality equipment, cheap and nasty will always let you down when you most need it!

Remember you don't have to buy it all today, take your time and look for the best outlet; try to use cash, and don't be affraid to ask for a discount for cash, you never know how much they may knock off, but anything between 5% and 20% is possible. If they won't give discount, say thanks and walk away, but only do this if you are sure you can get what you want elsewhere! small independent shops may be worked on, large retailers sometimes need a bit more work!