#11
Post
by Dizzy » Sat Mar 01, 2008 9:34 pm
What does Dizzy take???? Well here goes and I'm sure I've missed a few things to!!
Compass & Map
First Aid Kit You never know when this will come in handy!
Survival blanket usually the thermal silver type.
Spare Socks and Shoes We all have a habit of stepping into a boggy area from time to time. Keep the shoes/trainers in the boot of your car.
Food Replenish your energy, A Mars bar is a good addition to your kit.
Drink Hot and cold drinks, drink regular to stop dehydration.
Spare clothes Wear lots of thin layers rather than a thick jumper. Layers of clothes can help trap in your body heat, plus it’s easier to take one layer off if you get to warm.
Mobile Phone Just in case of an emergency. Bear in mind that not areas on the moors have mobile phone coverage.
Torch Now I’m not saying that you might get stranded, but it’s always worth a thought.
Spare Boot Laces Now how many times have mine snapped!
Gaiters To place around your ankles, that gorse and bracken is a little painful without them, believe me, I know!
Long Trousers Tuck your trousers into your socks. Dartmoor in the Summer consists of sheep ticks, not a very nice little critter. They tend to hang around in the gorse and bracken, burrow their way into your skin and do vampire impressions! Check yourself all over when you get home, if you find any, unscrew them anti-clockwise to prevent leaving the head there! Sounds horrible but they are more or less harmless but annoying little things. Also because of this cover your arms.
Never walk in open toed sandals, I know sounds daft but I’ve seen so many people up there in the summer like this and also wearing shorts. So if you don’t want ticks, cover yourself up.
Walking stick You will be surprised how handy these can be. For prodding under a rock, there are snakes on the moors so it’s easier to look under a rock with a stick rather than your hand! Also a walking stick helps for checking soft ground in front of you. They also come in handy for leaping across streams (miniature pole vaulting), saves those wet feet.
Waterproofs Gore-Tex or similar lightweight coat and trousers. These don’t take up to much room in your hiking bag, but knowing Dartmoor weather, you WILL need them.
GPS
Camera
I know all this sounds a lot but believe me, you can never be to prepared on the moors. Oh, and always tell someone where you are going, preferably with an added grid reference of the areas you will be visiting. So to recap, here is the list again.
We made it back ok but very cold and wet! We know we were stupid and very lucky to find our way out and won't be doing it like that again.
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