Otago University Tramping Club member Miro Williams

August 2024

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August 2024

Miro Williams is a keen tramper, climber and mountaineer.

“My favourite trips are those in the alpine zone,” he says. “I also spend a lot of time tramping classic routes. My gear depends on the trip and what I have or can borrow and is not always the lightest available.”

Pack

I use a 65L Macpac Torlesse (2.4kg). I compartmentalise things into dry bags rather than using a pack liner as it makes them easier to locate.

Boots

For tramping and easy mountaineering I use Lowa Z-6S GTX boots. They are light but sturdy enough
to fit strap-on crampons. For more serious winter endeavours I use La Sportiva Nepal Cube boots and Salomon Speedcross 6 approach shoes.

Cooking gear

I take a simple gas cooker, a pot and a spoon. It’s good, but I’ve probably burnt 80% of the porridge that I’ve made.

Miscellaneous

A compass, pocketknife, headtorch, PLB and a means to start a fire are always in the top of the pack. If I want to take nice photos, I bring my Canon EOS 600D and a good but heavy lens. The crux of the trip can often be the drive home when your mate’s car doesn’t have an aux or Bluetooth, and for this scenario a CD like U2’s ‘Joshua Tree’ can be as important as a sleeping bag.

Clothing

I always take a set of polypro thermals, a T-shirt, a fleece and a Macpac Resolution raincoat. For winter or alpine trips I add a lightweight Montane down jacket and Macpac Nazomi rain pants. I take a Buff and thin gloves, and add Black Diamond Punisher gloves if I’m expecting a lot of snow.

Sleeping gear

I use an old Kathmandu La Perouse sleeping bag and a Therm-A-Rest NeoAir mat. The sleeping bag is heavy, but the mat is good, and the combo has served me well.

Shelter

I was using an old Macpac Minaret, but as it has recently been torn it’s not pictured here. For easy summer tramping I often just use a tent fly.

Alpine and climbing gear

For mountaineering trips I take an ice axe or two, Black Diamond Sabretooth crampons, a Black Diamond Half Dome helmet, a sport climbing harness and a range of miscellaneous climbing bits. I could save a lot of weight in my pack here.

About the author

Ruth Soukoutou

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