You can never be too prepared.
There’s so much information out there about what to or not to do when in the outdoors—I’m mainly talking mountain and bush knowledge here. The best thing you can do is to understand where you are at personally, what your limits are both with experience and confidence, and when you know enough is enough.
I’ve pulled together some reputable companies and brands that I use to inform my own journey. We are forever students so take it upon yourself to research and learn about what gear you need and where you might need to up skill (if you don’t have anyone to teach you). I hope these guides kick-start you on your outdoor knowledge journey.
General Knowledge
Mountain Safety Council
These guys have been around for over 50 years and are well versed in helping people get home safely. Their website hosts a huge range of information from pre-trip planning and prep, gear suggestions through to how to deal with emergencies. Plenty to read, watch and learn.
NZDA Hunter National Training Scheme (HUNTS)
I haven’t done this course personally but I’ve heard about the value gained from both people I know that have participated and from volunteers who helped guide. This is a hunting specific course that covers the knowledge and skills necessary to operate safely as a hunter in the outdoors, teaches the ethics of fair chase and principles of managing a sustainable game resource.
Packs
Osprey—Fit & how you pack
Osprey are my personal pack brand of choice due to their adjustable hipbelt and shoulder strap that you can change on-the-fly. The backpanel they host also creates a breathable, close-to-body fit. (P.s this is not an ad!).
If you want to invest I would seriously look into these packs, however there are lots of options out there that are more affordable that also do the job. It really depends on your budget and needs (are you going to use it a lot, or only a couple of times a year). My first pack was a Tatonka Byson (men’s fit, not women’s) and that did its job until it got stolen (yay). The more I used it the more I learned what my preferences were in terms of where I’d like pockets, zips and entry points.
So start wherever you like just make sure you get in-store and try them on for fit. I didn’t think having a ‘ladies’ fit would make much of a difference, but I’ll tell you it does and I noticed it in-store straight away.
At the end of the day a pack is a pack, the most important thing is making sure you pack it well and that the straps are adjusted to best fit your body before you set off.
Osprey have some really handy tips and tricks to both of these topics have a look below and head to their website to learn more.
Osprey’s guide on how to pack
Clothing
Merino & Layering
When you’re in the outdoors and in the elements—whether for just one day or more—layering is where it’s at. Natural fibres from good quality brands make a big difference when you come up against adverse weather and you really have to test your gear. There are plenty of brands on the market that use synthetic fibres, while they look great, their practicality and wear and tear just simply doesn’t last. Invest in merino and slowly build up your layer collection and keep an eye out for specials and sales.
Merino has so many awesome qualities like temperature regulation, natural odour resistance, and moisture management, not to mention warmth. I wear my merino layers all round for all types of activities from Mountain Biking in Summer, hunting in Autumn to Snowboarding in Winter.
Below are some of my favourite merino stockists.
First Lite (Through Points South in NZ)
In a nutshell—what’s important to know is it’s all about keeping it light, simple and practical as well as personal preference. I started out by just using what I had, seeing what others used and choosing what suited me best. I like to research and find out which product is best for the job that fits in my budget.
If you have any queries while just starting out please don’t hesitate to reach out—I am by no means an expert but I can try to point you in the right direction.
