Josie Dixon is always fond of a good adventure with friends in the hills. She fulfils her need for a bit of speed by running some fast-packing trips, but if the week calls for a slower pace, she will never turn down a mountain hike! Here’s what she takes on some of the longer trips.

Pack

Aarn Effortless Rhythm with Balance Pockets on the front. I struggled with welts on my hips and sore shoulders from ill-fitting packs until I came across Aarn packs’ pelvic-form hip belts and U Flow harness. The balance pockets distribute weight across your front and back so you are not hunched over with a heavy pack. Bye-bye, sore body! 

Camping gear

If I need a tent, I take my Sierra Designs Meteor Light 2-person. It’s super-lightweight, roomy, and packs down nice and small. I sleep cold and use a Sea to Summit Flame FM III sleeping bag (-4° comfort) and a Life Adventure silk liner. My Nemo Tensor Ultralight sleeping pad packs down nice and small too. 

Kai

I rate my Jetboil Minimo for cooking, and a circular Tupperware tub triples as a plate, bowl and storage container. 

Hygiene

Mini-tube of toothpaste and toothbrush, some hand sanitiser and toilet paper, always. My first aid kit has all the essentials, including an ACR PLB, a foil blanket and superglue – great for sticking grazes back together! I never leave the house without a tube of SKIN insect repellent and Skinnies 50 SPF sunblock – got to keep my ginger skin covered! 

Rain gear

One thing I dislike more than sandflies is being cold and wet when I arrive at camp. I’ve invested in a Montane Gore-Tex Pro fabric raincoat and good quality overtrousers and won’t go on a trip without them!

Clothing

The one thing that keeps me going towards the end of the day is the thought of swapping my sweaty hiking boots for Montane Icarus hut boots. Bougie, but you can’t go wrong. I pair a Montane Fireball light midlayer and Protium light hoodie to keep myself warm and dry. For colder adventures I wear Montane Terra Pants under Sea to Summit Overland gaiters to keep my legs warmer. 

Square of foam

I love to take a little square of foam to sit on during snack breaks. It’s also nice to put over some of your rolled-up gear and use as a pillow at night.