Personal kit list

I've shamelessly stolen this from the Dachstein expedition (thanks to Joel Corrigan and team) and then adapted it for Ario. Please comment if you have additional or adjustments to make.

ABOVE GROUND:

ESSENTIAL:

- Approach shoes OR walking boots
Some prefer walking boots for their ankle protection; it is not essential to have a pair (you’re welcome to argue this!).

- Socks (synthetic 2-3 season socks will be sufficient)

- Waterproof jacket (breathable)

- Waterproof trousers
These do not have to be a bullet-proof & expensive Gore-tex type but anything breathable should do.

- 65 litre (minimum) rucksack
This will be used to carry caving gear up to an entrance if you are doing any big trips, along with to-and-from Ario. When caving you’ll be carrying your kit plus exploration gear so big bag is vital. Many of us pack our caving bag plus cave kit (suit, SRT kit, helmet etc) into our rucksack for the walk to cave entrances & then leave our surface clothes inside the rucksack which is in turn left inside a large rubble sack to keep everything dry.

- 30 litre+ day sack
Useful for any prospecting trips. This is just a recommended size so don’t worry if what you have is smaller.

- Rubble sacks
Make good liners for your bag to keep contents dry. Likewise when at the cave you can put rucksack into the liner when you go underground to. Bring a few. For non-Brits these are basically large heavy duty rubbish sacks. Fairly vital.

- Duvet jacket (a.k.a. puffy down jacket) OR warm jacket of any type
Not essential but they are great to have as a booster layer when sitting around at camp.
Synthetic fills (i.e. Polarguard, Polarloft, Primaloft and Thinsulate) are generally much cheaper than down, maintains some of its thermal properties when wet/soaked, more maintenance free and robust.
Down – lighter than synthetic, more compressible and warmer for its weight, but not when wet!
A hooded jacket is an added bonus and makes the jacket much more useful. please source "ethical down" https://ultralightoutdoorgear.co.uk/blog/ethical-down-d0c1dc-cbb8e4-6789d9-33d5d9/?fbclid=IwAR1CSnNGDcobZWOTECR0L12XrM1EWcGPIyzE4ArokwOvfSyzaSbfFVKdwJw

- Headtorch
Vital to have another light separate to your caving lights for use around base camp and for prospecting, etc (you will need your torch on you at ALL times on the surface as often the only available light comes from the stars. Models like the Petzl Tikka are perfectly fine for the hut (plenty of fake versions) but try to find a more beefy headlamp for use in the mountains etc. This will also do as a back-up to a back-up light.

- Water bottles
Anything will do and that includes a regular old Coke bottle with the labels removed (litter) & your name written on in permanent marker pen – just make sure to have more than one as you might lose them. On a very hot day you could need upwards of 4 litres.
Platypus/collapsible water bladders are very good for surface use but crap underground (fragile) & should never be relied upon as a single source as they do fail.
Metal bottles in a cold, Alpine environment are not recommended.

- First aid kit
Including:
- Pain killers
- Blister kit
- Gaffer tape
- Eye wash
- Basic dressings
- Personal medication (please inform us if you are on any special medication)

- Sun cream

- Hat

- Sunglasses

- Wash kit
Showering and washing facilities are limited so you may end up with a flannel/towel wash.
Also maybe some hand-wash for clothes.

- Sleeping bag
3 season synthetic will be fine if you will be sleeping inside. Outside..?
If you are camping underground then consider a sleeping bag liner.

- Personal food
Personal food is just that: bring things like chocolates, dried fruit, sweets, energy drinks, rehydration powders, etc... that the exped doesn't purchase.

- General clothes
Assume one set to travel in & another set to live in. Easy to hand wash clothes in the hut as long as you're not a lazy slob. Including:
- Shorts
- Trousers
- Few pairs of T-shirts
- Socks (few pairs)
- Under-crackers (few pairs)
- Soft shell (i.e. pile/Pertex) or micro-fleece top

OPTIONAL:

- Walking pole(s)
Incredibly useful and highly recommended if you want to look after your knees/back, use less overall energy whilst walking and not get bodies quite as buggered as some of the old codgers! They really are standard equipment in karst terrain & no need to spend loads of money on expensive ones with springs.

- GPS
Garmin are possibly the most useful

- Consider smart phone with Viewranger App / other app?

- Camera
Bring your upload leads so any pictures of the caves or entrances taken from the day can be stored on to the expedition lap tops. All photos must be uploaded to the Exped hard drive for records, presentations etc. Those are the rules, folks ;-)

- Video
If you own a Go Pro then please, please bring it & take some footage of exploration, prospecting, climbing, walking, socialising etc... as we need to compile presentations etc.. Suggest you make a few modifications to your kit for expeditions including having a bungee retainer for your camera (don't want it falling off your helmet), silica sachets to go inside the housing etc..

- Multi-tool
Fairly useful for all sorts but obviously not vital.

- General repair kit
Duct tape, needle and thread

- Multi-vitamins

- Knee supports

- EHIC
The (GHIC) is free
https://www.gov.uk/global-health-insurance-card

- Insurance
EVERYONE MUST HAVE SUITABLE CAVING INSURANCE AS WE'RE PLAYING A DANGEROUS GAME. .


CAVING:

ESSENTIAL:

If you’re unsure on where to start, plan on wearing two layers top (base layer and mid-layer) and DO NOT use any cotton underground.

- Undersuit
A decent modern undersuit like the AV powerstretch fleece.

- Base layers
Pants: lycra running shorts are good (but get without padding) but Merino boxers are great.
Thermal Tops (or lycra running/cycle top) that have a ½ zipper on are much more versatile for regulating your heat – this is obviously not essential though.

Thermal leggings (some people use them, some don’t).

- Wet socks/walking socks/sealskins
Suggest everyone has neoprene wetsocks such as these: https://starlessriver.com/shop/footweargloves/warmbac_wetsocks_short. Note: these do not have rigid soles as they are worn inside boots.
Highly advised to wear thin liner socks underneath (neoprene wetsocks rapidly stink and feet get cold without liners). Obviously they many be too bulky for inside wellies so plan in advance.
Inner soles in wellies make a huge difference to comfort & warmth so suggest your boots are big enough.

- Oversuit
Cordura oversuit recommended. European-style are better suited than the cumbersome British versions. Be sure to bring a repair kit.

- Helmet
Lights (a total of 3 lights):
- Main light: beg, borrow or steal a decent caving lamp
- Sidelight: rugged LED light type of thing.
- Back-up light in addition to your sidelight which is not on your helmet (in case you drop it)
Spare batteries for use underground.

- Batteries
Suggest you have sufficient cells for doing 5-6 days of caving without needing to charge batteries as power could be limited.

- Wellies or Canyon Boots
With innersoles

- Neck warmer and/or balaclava
Buff is very good & cheaper versions are available

- Belt
It’s necessary to wear this with your SRT kit at all times (when you take harness off you need your belt on). Recommend using a sling/krab instead of a belt which can be a lot more versatile (i.e, you can use it as a footloop/etrier, sling for rigging, tourniquet etc..

- Knee pads: vital

- Elbow pads
If you don’t already cave with them then don’t worry about these but they make a huge difference.

- Over gloves
PVC gauntlet style or industrial-strength marigolds (few pairs).

- Personal food underground for day trips
i.e, chocolate/marzipan/cakes/dry fruit etc: We will try to have some expedition food for those not able to bring their own but it’s expensive and tricky trying to provide underground snacks for a whole expedition.

For underground camping we will provide the basics to create meals but any special extras you require please consider bringing yourself.

- Dry bag(s)
Need size extra small or small if buying Ortleib. Cheap nasty dry bags die a rapid death. Sizing is important as what used to be called "medium" is bigger than most caving tackle bags. Try to find an equivalent to what used to be "small" and "extra small".

- Tackle sack
Either your own or try and borrow from someone as we don't want to have the exped bags trashed needlessly.
A donkey’s dick/bag lanyards (8-9mm rope) with screwgate carabiners (vital for vertical caves).

- Gimp mac
This is a cheap water-proof type jacket to keep yourself warmer/drier underground. They shouldn't cost you much so don't buy anything fancy. The best ones will have full length two way zip so that you can wear it over the top of everything & unzip from the base so that your croll is accessible. VITAL

- Knife & whistle
If around neck use bungee & DO NOT use cord as you can hang yourself which will be an embarrassing way to die.

- Basic first aid/survival kit
- Personal medication & first aid kit (lots of versions available for purchase but easy enough to make your own & package in a couple of zip-lock plastic bags.
- Survival bag – not space blanket but tough plastic bag which you can get inside.
- Warm top/balaclava/buff/
- Small bum-sized piece of karrimat/sleeping mat to sit on
- Candles/matches (get a survival candle with three wicks & a few disposable lighters. The little T-lights/candles are crap).
- Blister kit for the mountains:


OPTIONAL

- Bothy bag/group shelter/Kisu:
Every team going into the hills needs one of these so not really optional. The exped has a couple but try to borrow one from your club etc...
If you have the money consider a 2 personal shelter carries as ‘personal’ gear.

- Snoopy loops
These are car inner tubes that are sliced into heavy duty rubber bands that are amazing for all sorts of things. Go to your local car tyre repair centre & ask nicely if they have any old ones; they throw them away so you'll be doing them a favour.

- Brew kit
Vital for big trips so if you're planning on going deep try to get hold of one. Including:
- Stove (MSR Pocket Rocket or equivalent for gas, or maybe a tiny solid fuel stove.
- Lighters (more than one!) in double zip-lock bag
- A pan of some sort (Trangia do a small tine that's ideal for personal or emergency use)
- Tin foil instead of a lid to save weight
- Utensil (Spork)
- Cous-cous/soup etc.. as only requires warm water & minimal use of fuel

SRT KIT:

ESSENTIAL:
- Harness
- Chest harness
- Descender (i.e. Petzl Stop) with a braking crab (essential). The Raumer Handy is ideal for wet/muddy/thin ropes.
- Chest jammer
- Hand jammer
- Foot loop (adjustable Dyneema one is ideal)
- Safety loop to attach to hand jammer/footloop.
- Cows tail (+ spare pair if you’re planning on doing a lot of caving). Key lock/notchless crabs are preferred.
- Spanner with elastic cord and snoopy loop.
- Spare pulley/minitraxion
- Spare jammer/tibloc
- 5m of 8mm cord for emergencies
- Petzl Pantin. If you don’t already own one these are really worth considering as they save you a great deal of time and energy. Left or right foot models available so ask advice before buying as it's not necessarily obvious which one you need.