I am planning a trip to Fort William In August hoping to stay a couple of nights,this is the first time of using my tent. I was just wondering what basics to take, i have a stove in a case, kettle, mallet, groundsheet, airbed, quilt, pillows etc, etc i only plan on using the stove to boil water for tea coffee no other cooking How long will 1 gas cannister last me? Should i be taking anything else?
Mozzie net and gallons of spray for the wee beasties! Headtorch would be useful. Something to sit on? Im assuming you aren't backpacking from your kit list. Emergency food ration and something to cook them in, just in case.
But then again, there was no windbreak, inflatable sofa, TV, or wardrobe, so you might be better off in here Lez!
As an aside, are you going to Glen Nevis?
Sounds like you have the basics. What about a light? Headtorch is generally handy (go for something light like Petzl or Alpkit because cheap heavy ones are uncomfortable). A lantern is nice, UFO lights are popular. (Search for UFO).
Water container? (A large mineral water bottle would do fine).
Windshield for your stove? If it's a smallish tent you should avoid brewing up inside where possible.
The tall canisters that go in a suitcase stove are about the same as the 230g backpacking canisters. Depends how many brews you have, but 100g would last me a two-night wild camping trip. 230g should easily do you two nights.
Best advice would be to try and get away locally for a night, just to suss things out.
Hello lez.
The tent you have is 4.9 kG so is not a lightweight for backpacking.
The porch area is not to be considered waterproof, so be careful what you leave in it.
That said, what you have will serve you well.
The kit you are taking is more than enough for a basic outing.
I use the KISS principle Keep It Sensibly Simple.
No disrespect, but what you have listed indicates you like home comfort.
You do not provide an indication of your age or previous experience, e.g. Scouting, military service. I suspect neither. I have both.
You do not indicate/state what your method of transport is, e.g. car/cycle/foot.
What stove have you got? What gas canister have you got?
I use a Bluet Burner and CV300 canister, it has 240g of Butane/Propane mix gas and should certainly be enough to do what you require.
I use a saucepan with the amount of water required to make my mug of coffee.
An educated guess, is that you'll be eating in a local hostelry, and just using the tent for sleeping. Hence the "no other cooking".
You do not indicate what you will be doing in the area, e.g. sightseeing/walking/reading a book etc.
Therefore it is difficult to ascertain your additional requirements.
Fort William is an area I wished to visit some years ago due to the natural beauty, I envy your trip and wish you a pleasant stay.
Perhaps you may wish to add additional information to assist a more suitable reply?
I'm not in to flippant replies.
Kind regards James
------------- In the beginning there was darkness.
Then I bought a tent.
I'm not destitute, I'm just poor.
I think some of u on here should be more easy going on new people, enough said, u know who you are. If you can't say something useful say nothing and enjoy the silence.
Quote: Originally posted by Roy Orbit on 25/7/2010
I think some of u on here should be more easy going on new people, enough said, u know who you are. If you can't say something useful say nothing and enjoy the silence.
and I think you should more easy going on people who make a comment and then accept it may have come over wrong
How are you getting there? Obviously if you're going by car, then you can take a few more luxuries than if you were truly backpacking.
What tent is it?
There is a handy checklist somewhere on this site which I have adapted both for car camping and backpacking(ish) use.
I wouldn't bother with a mallet, never have but this obviously depends on the type of tent and pegs you're using. I just place mine at 45 deg and then use my foot. Works every time (for me) no matter where I've been thus far.
I always take a couple of cannisters but again this depends on the size of cannisters we're talking about and how much cooking/boiling you will do over the course of your trip. I would have thought that one cannister would be enough for what you're planning. There is a wee shop at the campsite and surprisingly enough, I picked up a couple of cannisters cheaper than I would have at any camping or outdoor shop. I think I paid three quid for C100 ones for my Jetboil. There are plenty of outdoor shops in Fort William (2m or so from campsite) inc. Nevisport and Ellis Brigham that can supply anything you forget or fancy buying.
I would definitely recommend a headtorch. I use a cheap Alpkit one.
In addition to the items you mentioned, I would take:
Rucksack & Day Pack for walks
Headtorch (plus spare batteries)
Dry bags for bits and bobs
Basic supermarket first aid kit plus pain killers for hangovers
Insect (midge) replleant (Avon Skin So Soft - trust me it works and you will need it)
Travel Toiletries in a dry bag
Washing Up Kit (travel bottle of fairy liquid & sponge pad)
Knife with basic tools
Mobile phone, camera, ipod and appropriate car chargers
Waterproof matches or Lighting Steel
Duct tape for emergency repairs
Map and compass for any walks I plan on doing
2 x Water bottles (1ltr is ideal size)
Sleeping bag liner (saves washing your bag so much)
Misc stuff like plastic bags for rubbish, kitchen roll etc.
lez. the gas cannisters last about 30 minutes. few weeks back i got 4 for wilkinsons for about £6. when exactly are you going. as i may be up there in august. just look for one of those pop up tents. sadly its pink. ( the shame of it. ) 3 man size. i got all the gear. just not the money.but i should have enough by the end of august.. maybe we can have a few beers if we meet up. how are you getting there. are you going by train. i have free travel on the train. so distance is no problem to me. strange that here in gateshead. national travel have busses going all over the country. but you just try heading north. or to the west for scotland. no chance. may as well walk.
As a novice solo camper, I spent a long weekend in Fort William last month.
The main thing to be careful of is the midgies. My face looked like I had measles, they loved me so much - and I did use Avon Skin So Soft. But it was my own fault, as I pitched my tent facing a wooded area with lots of overhanging trees - this dampish area is definitely where midgies gather. Other than that, I was OK out walking.
Definitely take waterproofs, as when it rains in Fort William/Glencoe, it rains big time!!
A day of all things motorhome and campervan. The show is held both in the main indoor arena and across the grounds. Catering, hot drinks and food options are available. Easy access to the site and free parking included. Win one of five pairs of day tickets
Topic: What to take ?
