Personal Kit
Your personal kit refers to the things you will be using during your expedition, for example your rucksack, roll mat, clothing, footwear and food. Upon booking you will have access to our comprehensive kit list, please make sure to pack everything on here. If you are joining us through your school your teacher will send you this kit list in plenty of time. The kit list is laid out like a checklist so you can make sure you’ve packed everything you need.
If you are joining us on an Open Expedition you’re able to hire some personal kit items through us if wanted. Also, if particular items represent a significant cost outlay, we may be able to support you by offering free kit hire for some personal kit items (rucksack, water proofs, sleeping bag) through our bursary fund. Please contact our office if we can help. . Please see the kit list for further information on what you can hire from us. If you are joining us through school, please speak to your teacher/ DofE leader if you have any questions about personal kit hire
Group Kit
On top of your personal kit you will be allocated some group kit that you and your team will carry throughout the expedition. The group kit includes: tents, stoves and pans, gas canisters for stoves, group shelter, waterproof maps, group first aid kit. Your personal share of the group kit should weigh a maximum of 2.5kg.
You need to keep this in mind when packing your personal kit, allowing both space and weight for your share of the group kit.
Rucksack Weight
We want to ensure your safety on expedition, especially when carrying a loaded rucksack full of kit - that includes looking after your health and wellbeing and not overloading your body with an unduly heavy rucksack.
The DofE state that your rucksack should not weigh more than 25% of your body weight. We ask that you come to your expedition with a rough idea of your bodyweight (in kilograms) and may weigh your rucksack beforehand to check it’s not too heavy. AE has sets of handscales to weigh rucksacks during the pre-expedition checks, to check they aren’t too heavy.
Ideally you should aim to pack as light as possible, while still having all the things that are listed on the personal kit list for your programme. Ensure that you don’t pack any extra or unnecessary items and look for lighter alternatives wherever possible. If you are struggling with the weight limit, pack everything that you need from the personal kit list and bring it to the start of your expedition. Your instructor can then advise you what items you may be able to leave with them during the expedition.