Dartmoor - 10 Item Challenge

Friday, 22 October 2010 07:22

Ashley-Cawley

Posted by Ashley Cawley

For four of us this weekend just couldn't come fast enough!.. Eager to finish work and pack our bags for a 3 day trip to Dartmoor, camping with just 10 items. This challenge will be between four friends: Myself, Scott, Matt & Martin and it has already produced much banter.

The rules are: Everything is an item; even your rucksack or toilet roll counts as an item. The only things that are free are food/drink & clothes.

The challenge will mean slightly different things to us each I think. For example Martin & Matt are using it as an oppertunity to try and go a lot lighter, buying in some new ultra-light backpacking gear. Where'as I will be sticking with my tried & tested gear but will need to improvise certain things like cutlery, lighting, insulation etc.

So what 10 items would you take for 3 days on Dartmoor? Here is my current list:

dartmoor-four

Rucksack (45L)
Fallkniven F1
Firesteel
Billycan
Cup
Tarp
Hammock
Cocoon
Toilet Roll
[1 More to choose!] What would you add? Leave a comment below.

Between us we will take 1 set of communal items, that we don't actually intend to use but are there in case of emergency. These including a First Aid Kit & a Mobile Phone. Two of us will also be taking video-cameras to try and document the trip, these will in no way be used to aid our survival or stay so therefore won't be classed as an item. Providing it's not raining all the time we will hopefully produce a nice little video like we have done in the past.

Hopefully the weather is dry and I will try and take plenty of photos & videos. I'll report back in 3-4 days!

So what would you take? - Add your comment below...

Comments (13)

1) Knife w/ sharpener combo: Billhook, Canadian Survival Belt Knife, or Helle Temagami
2) Map & Compass
3) Fire starter
4) Bivy sac or Hennesy Hammock
5) Sleeping bag
6) First Aid kit
7) Mess kit (if a kit counts as one item) or at lead a cup
8) Axe/hatchet (if you don't choose billhook), saw, or multitool
9) A good Bushcraft/survival book/guide
10) Rucksack (waterproof or with waterproof cover)

.... Toilet roll? it doesn't count as an item, this is an absolute! everything else is secondary...

why would you take a tarp when you can take a poncho tarp and have it as a free item due to the fact its clothing??

I would take:

1. rucksack
2. tarp
3. bivi
4. stove (is trangia so includes billy/pot)
5. spork
6. fuel
7. toilet roll
8. sleeping mat
9. firesteel
10. torch

If I can't have a map and compass as extras than I would take a wood burning stove and get fuel as I camp.

Okay Martin. I have thought about this again

I would take.
1.Rucksack
2. Sleeping Bag
3.Tarp
4. Torch
5. Knife
6. spork
7. Billy can
8. Toilet Roll
9. toothpaste.
10. Firesteel

Well Martin...
I would take.
1.Rucksack
2.Bivi Bag
3.Tarp
4. Stove
5. Fuel --- as for this i would take a knife instead to get wood ;)
6. Brew kit --- Well this is drink. So I would get it 'free'.. There's my torch ;)
7. Billy can
8. Toilet Roll
9. Sleeping mat.
10. Firesteel

Kieran,

You didn't include a torch. Everyone on this trip agreed that a torch was important so you may want to think about your list again. ;o)

What would you drop to allow you to carry a torch?

Martin

I would take.
1.Rucksack
2.Bivi Bag
3.Tarp
4. Stove
5. Fuel
6. Brew kit
7. Billy can
8. Toilet Roll
9. Sleeping mat.
10. Firesteel

Interesting Kiers, no sharps?

Yes Martin took a map & compass which were group-kit.

As for the music, typically all the music we use is produced by a band called Spiro (I think they are Bristol based), the track your after is "I fear You Just As I Fear Ghosts" which is Track 6 of their "Lightbox" album, which is a great album that I own.

Their website is spiromusic.com where I think you can checkout some of their other tracks, drop them a message and let them know you heard of them through NaturalBushcraft ;)

All the best,

Hi,

Enjoyed looking at your pics. I love those areas of the moor, especially around Fernworthy. Each time I'm back in Devon I head up, which nowadays is New Year. Is a map and compass included in the group items??

I think I would have these:

1. tent
2. mat
3. wearable quilt (Jacks r Better)
4. billy
5. firesteel
6. toothpaste
7. head torch
8. spoon
9. stove
10. fuel

If I can't have a map and compass as extras, I would ditch the toothpaste and take a compass. Although I usually carry a penknife on the moor I've hardly ever used it, so that's why it's not on the list.

Keep up the good vids. Also where can I buy the song that you usually play at the end.

As my 10th item I ended up taking firesteel tinder (cotton-balls inside the red-bull capsule) which I discussed in a previous blog-post. A new blog-post coming soon! :D

A wood-burning stove wouldn't be allowed as a 'free item', so it would be on your list. The restrictions on fires on Dartmoor have become tighter of the past 5-8 years, but there are still *some* places you can have open-fires.

There is more extensive info on camping/backpacking on Dartmoor at: http://www.dartmoor-npa.gov.uk/vi-wildcamping.htm

BTW, did you have "camera" on the list so we can enjoy the photos if you chaps get back? :P

Hope and trust you'll all have a great time.

1. Knife
2. Firesteel
3. Billycan (is already a cup)
4. Rucksack
5. Tent
6. Sleeping bag
7. Toilet Roll
8. Torch
9. Axe
10. Sleeping mat

I'd assume a wood burning stove is allowed without being counted as (last I heard) open fires on Dartmoor are illegal?