Free shipping Australia wide on orders over $99 | Over 400,000 Trees Planted
Free shipping Australia wide on orders over $99 | Over 400,000 Trees Planted
June 30, 2021
When I head into the backcountry I pretty much have the same kit in my pack every time no matter how far I am from the trailhead. Looking at the forecast gives me an indication of what I might achieve not what I’ll pack!
The perfect day can quickly turn into an epic for untold reasons and packing light can compound the issue. The bottom line is, in case of emergency I need enough gear to shelter for the night until help arrives or I self evacuate the next day. On a day trip, I’m not planning on staying overnight but I am planning to be able to survive overnight if necessary.
Ideally, each person in your group should have enough gear to be self-sufficient in case of an emergency regardless of your proximity to help. Insulation jacket (down or synthetic), lightweight shelter like a Vango Bothy Bag, sit mat, headlamp, as well as the usual and you are going to have trouble fitting it in anything less than a 30L pack.
Save the weight on your kit items, not your pack, the difference between 10litres of pack volume is very little at a couple of hundred grams compared to the extra scope in your versatility and preparedness.
If you’re heavy on experience you’re better placed to travel a little lighter. Light on skills and light on gear decreases your safety margin.
The Mont Sentinel 42L or 45L packs are an excellent pack for daytrips.
It is essential that you not only acquire the necessary equipment but also the skills required to travel safely through the mountains. Whilst it is good to take educational courses it takes some time to develop a solid foundation of skills and experience. A 20L pack, an educational course and very little experience doesn't offer much redundancy.
No one is impervious to unexpected and unforeseen circumstances but with experience the risk of avoidable situations is reduced. If you’re heavy on experience you’re better placed to travel a little lighter. Light on skills and light on gear decreases your safety margin.
Happy trails Alpinists!
By Doug Chatten, director and lead guide at Snowy Mountains Backcountry, and Mont Ambassador.
Top photo by @r.kenno
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December 15, 2025
We were probably twenty electrolyte tablets deep each, feeling more like science experiments than cyclists. Add in sketchy tarmac with trucks roaring past, hogging the whole shoulder, and you had a section that demanded laser-sharp focus…
October 31, 2025
I had brought my Mont Helium 680 with me. A luxurious bag rated to -12°C for warm sleepers, it is perfectly suited to Tasmania’s cooler months. Ice crusted the ground and tent the next morning and checking my temperature sensor I was surprised to see that the temperature had dropped to -7.7°C overnight. That is remarkably cool for late October in Tassie!
October 20, 2025 2 Comments
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