Thread: Gear for 2 weeks in Kawekas

Camping in the Kawekas during holidays. May try to fly camp?

Haven't done that before but would love to hear what you would take along with you on a two week camp?

Even if you could point me in the direction of a useful You Tube clip, I would really appreciate that.

Cheers

If you are packing it in then think light weight. Everything from bag and shelter to food.

I am going to buy loads this weekend. I don't have pack. fly or tent, gas cooker, bedroll, What waterproof pants do you have and do you have jacket?

I am also going to fly in but then fly camp away from hut too so I will think light weight. I want good quality too so I can stay dry and warm even in the harshest weather.

Tips?

I have the Stoney Creek waterproof jacket and trousers but they are certainly not what I would call light weight.

Two weeks is a long time to be away from a fridge.... Make sure you have a very good Chillybin pack it with beers that are already cold and use salt ice to cover it all in.... A good chillybin should be airtight . This is the Most important thing you can take on a flycamp mission!!
Anything else over and above Toilet paper and gun is is a bonus!
Good luck!

Sounds awesome mate.

You'll get a load of advice on here for gear and food options, so my two cents to you is to be safe Make sure you leave some intentions (more detail the better, provide some grid references of key locations and also boundaries that you will not cross.) with someone at home, borrow a PLB if you can. They are also available to hire from some hunting/outdoors shops.

Enjoy it, can't wait for the report when you're back

Search on here for back country meals, might even be a sticky Forum bulk buys?
I highly recommend the mashed spud one,way way better than the old powdered spuds in a tin(actually tastes like food!!!) combined with the mixed vege its a good bulker meal.
Flying in take stuff like cheese, salami,bread,bacon,eggs,tinned fish,spaghetti or baked beans. Stuff that can get away with a few days of not being in a fridge. You can stash it hunt away for a few days come back eat up large and hunt away in another direction.
Not sure if that sort of plan works for the location(mainlander)
OSMs lots and lots of OSMs,energy dense and yummy,. I recommend apricot and chocolate.

From day 5 your going to have to start eating a shit load of venison before it goes green so other than the bacon and salami I wouldnt take any meat.

Solo trip? Long time to yourself. Take a book as well. Bill Bryson short history of nearly everything is good reading.

Holy crap, 2 weeks is a loooong time with new gear that you have not tested before

Try to go for a overnight trip before and at least get your pack, shelter etc sorted.

Where do you live? Sounds like you need to sit down with someone who has experience and have a good yarn. If you live anywhere near Palmerston North or Wellington I would be happy to show you my gear and chew the fat with you. I've done the odd trip before. I would even loan you some stuff.

I'm sure others near where ever you live will do the same.

Also, like it or hate, there is a bit of dodgy shit talked on forums, and if you don't have experience, get someone who you trust to evaluate the well meaning advice before you go rushing off to buy stuff.

Lastly, by all means take a beer, but don't sacrifice what you should be taking for the sake of our piss up in the bush culture. It's bull shit.

Cheers

Originally Posted by Tahr

Where do you live? Sounds like you need to sit down with someone who has experience and have a good yarn. If you live anywhere near Palmerston North or Wellington I would be happy to show you my gear and chew the fat with you. I've done the odd trip before. I would even loan you some stuff.

I'm sure others near where ever you live will do the same.

Also, like it or hate, there is a bit of dodgy shit talked on forums, and if you don't have experience, get someone who you trust to evaluate the well meaning advice before you go rushing off to buy stuff.

Lastly, by all means take a beer, but don't sacrifice what you should be taking for the sake of our piss up in the bush culture. It's bull shit.

Cheers

This chap is onto it - take up his offer if you can, I can give a great testimony for the generosity and good old honesty from Tahr. Good luck.

Originally Posted by Nibblet

Solo trip? Long time to yourself. Take a book as well. Bill Bryson short history of nearly everything is good reading.

Bloody good book that.

ebf is right. 2 weeks is a very long time by your self with new gear. Beware! Where in the Kawekas are you going? If something goes tits up in that first week its a long wait until the flight out. But on the other hand it could be awesome.

I don't need beer I am there to hunt. I will hire a PLB and stay close to the hut if need be. I don't mind roughing it regarding food and freeze dried stuff, noodles or canned baked beans and a multivitamin will keep me alive. I have camped before but not for a long time and all the gear I had has disappeared somehow. Thanks for your advice and concern for my safety. I will let my father know where I am going. Because I am flying in to a hut and flying out again I am not too worried about going with untested gear. In some ways that is why I was asking on here, so that I could get a list of TESTED gear that I could trust more.
I enjoy being away from all the hustle and bustle so this will not be a problem. I actually hope that by the end of the two weeks I want to get out. That will make going back to work again easier next year!

Rem, you are going on a great adventure and I wish you well. As you are flying in you will be able to take plenty of standby food to stash. With the amount of time you will be in there for, I would recommend taking plenty of plastic bags so you can bone out any meat shot and store it in the creek bed. Toilet paper is great to have, but you will learn to live without it. Rice, take heaps, and salt...that with venison you can live on. You will get to know your area well and be able to pick and choose your animals and will be able to trade meat for goodies with newbies that share the hut.