Hiking and camping

[KobaniDaughters]

DS and I are off next weekend with a bit of a mix of hiking and camping, have only ever camped when driving to a campsite so would love hints and tips as I’m starting to feel overwhelmed. Our movements will be:

Friday ferry to the island, stay over with a friend in their home
Saturday mini bus to campsite, ten camp over night
Sunday 6mile hike (moderate incline) to other ferry terminal to get on ferry by 4pm back to the mainland

So only really need to carry food for Saturday night, Sunday morning and hiking snacks.

We have a 2 man tent and sleeping bags, campsite has enclosed fire pit and picnic table at every site. We’re vegans so food wise pretty easy really - thought we could just take tinned chilli and boil in the bag rice and a small saucepan to warm it all through, instant coffee for the morning. Then prob make up trail mix for hiking snacks. There is drinking water available at the campsite

I had hip surgery earlier this year so we’ll want to pack as light as possible - any recommendations for sleeping mats?

Bump!!

We can do an open fire but does anyone have a recommendation for a small camping stove I can make my morning coffee on which is very lightweight?

Will the campsite sell / provide logs for the fire pit?

www.amazon.co.uk/Vango-Folding-Camping-Stove-Silver/dp/B0039VXC4I/ref=asc_df_B0039VXC4I/?hvlocphy=9045892&linkCode=df0&hvptwo&psc=1&psc=1&hvnetw=g&hvadid=218086929007&hvpone&hvlocint&th=1&hvpos&hvdev=m&hvdvcmdl&hvqmt&tag=mumsnetforu03-21&hvtargid=pla-421789194193&hvrand=11506918941139333095

Check the YouTube review and video
to get the right gas canister.

Given your hip surgery how much compromise can you make in sleeping comfort? A roll or fold up foam mat is very light and ok for one night.
Check if too bulky folded up www.decathlon.co.uk/p/foam-folding-trekking-mattress-trek-100-grey/_/R-p-174619

This type give a bit of extra thermal protection www.amazon.co.uk/trail-outdoor-leisure-Aluminium-Insulated/dp/B0957MHS4D/ref=asc_df_B0957MHS4D/?hvlocphy=1006668&linkCode=df0&hvptwo&psc=1&hvnetw=g&hvadid=535904766646&hvpone&hvlocint&hvpos&hvdev=m&hvdvcmdl&hvqmt&tag=mumsnetforu03-21&hvtargid=pla-1391791969413&hvrand=11327481831413420819

Heavier but comfier www.regatta.com/napa-ultralite-self-inflating-foam-camping-mat-amber-glow/?sv_tax1=google&sv_tax2=shopping&sv_tax3=Smart+Shopping+-+Camping&sv_tax4=RCE095_0EJ&sv_campaign_id=1874585494&gclid=Cj0KCQjw1dGJBhD4ARIsANb6OdnjL5ngBxOcLWHzFugqTLJEH-sQSMy_C3zHGaaskE6mTA6YpSotijkaAp11EALw_wcB

Thanks so much for all this! We have Pre bought some firewood but not sure if we’ll be able to use it (fire risk is currently very high where we live)

Comfort while sleeping is def my biggest concern

Hmmm, Real guaranteed comfort involves a thick SIM, or for those who like them (I don’t) a blow up bed.

Which aren’t for carrying long distances.

How old is Ds and how much if the tent weight will he be carrying?

Anyway you could arrange transport for your kit from the campsite to the departure terminal? A taxi? Though I know less likely on a small island.

Exped downmat or synmat would be my mat recommendation if you want something light and comfortable. They're quite expensive though

I’ve got this one it and it’s comfy and it’s roles down really small www.blacks.co.uk/15979193/berghaus-peak-self-inflating-mat-15979193/?istCompanyId=d92b362f-ac8a-4a8a-87ca-c56eafad7955&istFeedId=2f99410f-1124-43d5-8232-86c184f09479&istItemId=ilprlmlrr&istBid=tzpr&gclid=Cj0KCQjwm9yJBhDTARIsABKIcGbxK-_CIeC51A_Eb1i3zAGqffN47j4fSBuXZg36DX0-MhYjt0C19gAaAuXqEALw_wcB&gclsrc=aw.ds

I’d check with the campsite if they sell logs for cooking.
These work super quick www.outdoorgb.com/p/jetboil_zip_outdoor_stove/?utm_source=froogle&utm_medium=directory&utm_content=GBR&currency=GBP&country=GBR&SelectedBundle=174893&SelectedItem=618584&gclid=Cj0KCQjwm9yJBhDTARIsABKIcGaxazlJ22dC7GcX7Dj1vIDEaVY81rPOiUj5zeyESqIvYenb0NXc0bkaAiBVEALw_wcB

@ShingleBeach no we have to carry our own gear and taking blow mattresses is too much, so def looking for recs on fold up sleeping pads

@Robertthebrucesthistle thanks for that rec, we already pre bought fire wood for the Saturday night from the campsite, though I’m concerned there will be a fire back by the time we get there

Drinking water is available at campsite so at least we don’t need to take that with us!

This is my packing list so far, am I missing anything?

Tent
2x sleeping bags
2x sleeping mats (looks like we can borrow from a friend)
Pocket rocket stove plus fuel canister
Matches/lighter
2x bowls
2x cups
Hiking first aid kit
Head forces
Lightweight tent torch
Sunscreen
Bug spray
Water bottles
Food pouches for Saturday lunch&dinner, Sunday breakfast&lunch, coffee, hot chocolate, marshamallows, trail mix and protein bars
Wilderness wipes (we have biodegradable tablets that with water expand out to become essential a wipe then they decompose quickly)
Forks/spoons
Eco fire lighters
Toothbrushes and toothpaste
Books (as light as poss!)
Hiking shoes
Flip flops
Underwear and socks
SPF long sleeve t shirts
Additional t shirt
Jumper
PJ’s (temp currently low at 19degrees C)
Prob wear the same pair of shorts the whole trip
Swim stuff
Quick dry towels + line and pegs

What am I missing??

Brilliant list - interested in your wilderness wipes, off to investigate! A Camping trowel if you’re going to be out all day?

Swap pjs for thermal and take a hat. I’ll try to find a link to a sleep mat.
Yy to trowel and paper!
You’ll need water while hiking.

@Seesawmummadaw lol yes the water bottles are for water! We have hiking hats but I think temps will be too high for thermals and woolly hat for sleeping - low in the middle of the night is 19degrees at the moment

I’m sorry I don’t know why I didn’t read water bottles!
I went recently and it was really cold over night

Make sure you have a proper paper map of the area. Don't rely on one on your phone.
Make sure you have blister plasters in your first aid kit as well.
Download the 3 words app for your phone.
Hats

Have a back up plan just incase for some reason you can't make it back to the ferry for 4pm.

Lol no problem @Seesawmummadaw we live in Southern California but poor taken and have thrown in a hoodie and a hat

Our packs are soooooooo heavy! I’ve removed all I can - it’s the tent and the water and sleeping bags - thank god it’s only 5 miles!

Oh and @peoplearepeople great advice, thankyou

@KobaniDaughters oh god, much warmer than the U.K. damp, dark and cold! Have fun!

Ok I freaked out reading reviews on the hike and seasoned hikers are saying it’s hard and it is so hot at the moment….so I’ve caved and booked gear haul! I think if I’d managed to get a backpacking rather than camping tent it would have worked but with my dodgy hip and the heat and the no shade thing - yeah bugger that, next time! Sounds like the hike will be enough on its own

A hot water bottle.

Coming to this really late but for hiking I love a jetboil cooker and they have a coffee press you can buy.

If the overnight temp definitely won’t go below 19 Celsius I would personally forgo a sleeping bag and take a silk bag liner only and a light fleece blanket to share.

Head torches while camping! You may also want a shewee for the day while walking. Pretty much covered everything. I use one spork instead of loads of spoons / knives / fork. I also carry a plastic sack for anything that gets damp. Saves my whole rucksack getting damp.
Are you taking a portable phone charger? Or camera? Can you switch books to a kindle? Or kindle reader on your phone?
Good luck 🙂 I’m currently in Scotland doing similar, print your ferry tickets as backup and make sure you know the arrival checkin time for departure. If it’s sunny wear hats. If there’s tall grass and risk of ticks then wear long socks and or gaitors.

Thanks again everyone for your help. We had a wonderful time especially because we decided to pay to have our gear hauled and thank god because it was a pretty steep incline at the beginning and my hip seems ok if just a little achey - I think I would have been in a lot of trouble if we’d been carrying our camping equipment.

Was so lovely to do this one on one though so we’re planning to do a proper backpacking trip (maybe start off with 2 nights and then build it up) so investing in a backpacking tent etc and looking at dehydrating our own foods to keep costs down.

We live in California and can get up to parts of the PCT only 2 hour drive away so thinking of planning doing a little section of that in a few months before the rains ( 🤞🏻 Because we really need them) begin and train for a longer trip in the spring

Also it was luxuriously warm - have never camped at low altitudes in the summer and it was so nice not wearing a hoodie and a hat in bed and waking up and able to just wander out of the tent in our PJ’s with no extra layers!!

That sounds brilliant!

Not carrying your gear was wise, glad you found a way.

Onwards to the next adventure!