Penny Webster is a mountaineer, tramper and thru-hiker who completes adventures varying from easy, to the extreme. She has hiked the 4200km Pacific Crest Trail and climbed all New Zealand’s 3000m peaks.

“I select my gear according to the activity, with lightweight and key considerations. In several weeks I am walking the Dusky Track in Fiordland and am packing what you see in the photo.”

Clothing

I am trialling a two-raincoat system this trip: a lightweight Vertice Rain Jacket and a medium-weight Montane Pac Plus. The total weight is 457g. I also have Montane over trousers, a beanie and Smartwool 1500 neck gaiter, Vertice Rain Mitts and Montane Protium gloves. Underneath I will wear up to two quick-drying Earth, Sea and Sky First Layers. My trousers can unzip to become shorts.

Gadgets

Suunto Core watch. Topo50 map and compass: I am a map nerd from years of adventure racing. iPhone Max: this is my all-in-one gadget: camera, books and map app (Viewranger).
Belkin Power Bank to recharge my devices. Garmin Inreach for weather forecasts and emergency situations. Petztl Iko Core headlamp which is light and bright.

Sleeping

The Sea to Summit Flame II sleeping bag is my latest purchase. It’s designed specifically for small people (less than 160cm) and it excites me. A silk bag liner, pillow and pillow slip (made from recycled inner sheet) make up the rest of my bed. I carry an MSR E Bivy and a homemade fly for emergency shelter.

Essentials

Basic first aid kit, repair kit, the smallest Victorinox classic knife (has scissors), sunhat, sunglasses, suncream and lip balm, cramp stop and magnesium, Vaseline, insect repellent (with Deet) and head net, reading glasses, toilet paper and wash kit.

Cooking and food

Food is important to me, so Drip coffee with a Local Dehy vegan porridge rate as the best meal of the day. Freeze dried meals keep organisation easy, but after five months of freeze-dried meals on the Pacific Crest Trail I am looking at dehydrating my own. I cook everything with my MSR Pocket Rocket stove and a Primus Pot Set.

Pack

I have an Aarn Featherlite Freedom pack and a new Sea to Summit Ultra Sil 50l Pack Liner and a 20l Dry Sac – for accessible day stuff.

Feet

I need to keep my feet in good order, so pair my Salewa Mountain Trainer Lite GTX boots with Injinji socks and short gaiters.

Extras

Conversational stories – I am reading Tamatea/Dusky written by Peta Carey. This is a compulsory coffee table book, and an engaging narrative read. I’ll take a fishing line top, hopefully, catch blue cod at Supper Cove.