A kit list for the edge of the world

[1jack1pike]

Hi guys & Gals!

In the summer I will be off to Scotland. When I say Scotland what I really mean to say is a one man tent / coffin with the nearest spar shop 6 light years away for, did I forget to tell you this is for 6 weeks.

The reason I am doing this is to take drill core samples from 500 locations, mapping them, comparing them to old maps (to see if they are in the right place) then dating the rock core itself using magical technology not even I know how to use bla bla bla (insert big science word)... all in all I am working, so sadly no bush craft this time round - insert sad face!

Now the problem arises with this. I have never been to Scotland - ever. The closest I have ever got to the highlands is well, down town Cardiff.... So what on earth do I take? When I watch the news all I hear about in Scotland is Will Wallace, Bagpipes and rain - so will a long sword, ear plugs and gortex be the call of the day?

What will the weather actually be like in June - July, any recomeded kit (either for Scotland in general or what you would / have taken on daftly long trips like this).

Currently on my extensive kit list I have:
Left Boot
Sock X 2 (one for each foot)
Right Boot

So this long winded post is basically a cry for help - because I am seriously out of my depth here!

Many thanks

[Ehecatl]

Some sort of face net, a jar of Marimite and and plenty of Avon Skin so Soft. The Scotts are lovely but their midges are not!

[bopdude]

Sounds like a trip and a half, it works out at about 12 samples a day if my math is right, so, are you going to have a base tent local to X amount of sample sites, or, will you be traveling between each and camping at the last, this will depend on tent size and time to make and break camp. PLENTY of insect repellent, mozzie / midge proof yourself and living area as much as possible. Get a decent set up for cooking and eating, water containers. If your going out into the remote parts, let someone know of your travel intentions and time scale, spare battery for your mobile, PPPPPP ;) Decent waterproofs and walking boots, a pair of wellies. Sun hat and cream.

[saxonaxe]

You mention downtown Cardiff..if you are from that part of the world, take the same gear you would use for a trip in rural Wales. Nothing extra special is required for Scotland. Many moons ago I spent 17 days camped at the North end of Loch Katrine, it was early September and it rained on just one day...So monsoons are not always guaranteed but in 6 weeks you won't escape...:D so a good set of waterproof gear is advised.
June -July in damp, warm conditions out in low lying country can be bad news, I can only support what Ehecatl said, you really must sort out at least a head net/hat with veil and something that works as a Midge repellant, Avon works on most people but not all. Midges, tiny things, not big Mozzies, they will make your life misery I promise you, especially if you're working and can't retreat to a smokey fire or bug proof tent. Other than that, keep an eye out for any ticks you may pick up if you're sculling about diggin' 'oles in rocks in the undergrowth, you'll have a great trip I'm sure. :D

[ian c]

As already mentioned mozzie head net is a must some decent insect repellent and a decent set of waterproofs oh and a bug net on your tent.

[1jack1pike]

Thank for the quick replies guys!! Should probably explain better, the plan is to be living "on site" during the week and hopefully on a caravan site at the weekend, if I ever remember to rent it, due to the ridiculous number of localities I was planning on a route march type approach - moving from locality to locality rather than back to somewhere every night, I think I will find myself meeting myself coming. Especially as, like you say, I have a lot of localities to visit (hopefully whoever did the survey originally did it well enough I can just sit around each day drinking coffee.

As for kit, I have divided up the localities into two types - ones requiring PDCR (Portable Drill Core Rig) as not all the localities require a core sample and those without, the ones with I will do at the weekends as, like you said again, I will need my car - so I can keep the heavy gear at the caravan and use as required leaving me only to lug around the rest of my kit all week.... Heck, I think I am talking myself out of this trip!

Tent, sleeping bag, roll mat etc is pretty much sorted - I will use what I always have which is not the best but will see me through.

Day to day I have decided that I will need (roughly) trousers, shirt, socks, boots, wet weather kit, cold weather kit.
Trousers - Montane Men's Terra Pant, been thinking I should have two (dry set and wet set) doubt I can afford another pair so what trousers does everybody like?
Shirt - Was just going to go with some cheap'o army wicking shirt thing, again dry set and wet set so two of these. Maybe another back at the caravan being washed?
Socks - Again just some Mountain Wharehouse jobbies, got two pairs (spotting a trend here?) - so maybe a few more
Boot - Altberg Warrior Defenders, such over kill of boots but I like the ankle support and (I think) its really boggy up there, would gaiters be any use?
Wet - Got a good gortex jacket which will do, as for trousers I have none (sad face) do I need them? I know some people love them others hate them
Cold - This is my biggest problem, I dont have a clue / own any, I am used to working in the tropics its not really errrr... needed?

For camping - or when I get fed up I think the following will be required
Cooker - I own two options so its up to you guys to decide! 1) jetboil, much lighter but I am not sure of the cooking capabilities (and the gas is samller) 2) Optimus Elektra FE, weighs a ton when you have gas but may be easier to cook with, sadly never used it much
Water - Not sure on this one, was thinking of taking purification tablets just in case, are the lochs ok to filter water from, I know like some of the stuff in the Lake District I wouldn't even attempt due to the soil. As for carrying it - I have tried not to think about it too much
First Aid Kit - well, yeah, I have a feeling I will need it at some point, I have a sort of layer system with first aid kits. I have my main 'mini hospital' with all the odds and ends and a smaller one with enough to patch myself up and get the heck out of there, will take both one for the caravan and the other for my pack.... speaking of packs...

Which pack do I take!!! You would of probably noticed by now I am a bit of a kit junkey but I have two packs I own and love - Osprey Kestral and Lowel Alpine Trek - there is no real reason to pick one or the other but I cant decide, too much of a big decision So which one will it be!!!

In addition to all the 'science kit' I need, weather writer, beer, note pad, pens, beer, hammers, hand lens, etc etc etc (did I mention the beer?) I will be taking gallons of bug spray and a head net hat thing so thanks for those

Cheers

P.S if you have read this far, the badge is in the post

[Ehecatl]

Don't forget the (beer) bottle opener! :happy-clapping:

[1jack1pike]

Oh gosh!!!! Nearly forgot that! Thanks for the reminded ;) Could of ended so badly

[midas]

Well Jack Pike,Don't know whether your core sampling is official???planned??with permision from land owners..???
But you may find some oppersition to you drilling "Willy-nilly on land!!!
I an many others spend time in Scotland ,Wanlockhead/Leadhills n Tyndrum.Prospecting ,panning n sluicing for gold in the streams n Burns.(Licenced).Digging into the banks or ground is a no no...
Hope everything works out for you!!
If you discover a good deposit of gold,would love a heads up on the location.lol.As I'm sure Scotish Gold Resources Ltd.(Cononish,Tyndrum)would too..

P.S.There are no Game birds in season,june July.Sika Stags n Roe Bucks will be,Don't fish,so can't tell you if Salmon will be in season.But the stalkers,Gillies,Gamekeepers could have some objections.if your upsetting the Stalking/fishing etc...

[1jack1pike]

Sadly it is planned. I never knew of this until a few years ago but there are many bore holes everywhere for many reason from farmers looking for water to planning permission land surveys and somebody has to look after them, most of the data comes from before 1950 and as the "official record" only starts in 1952 so its part of a new BGS policy to re survey all of them and help to improve geological maps and make such processes as planning applications quicker (though I really doubt anybody will be building anything where I am going!).

Somebody somewhere has informed the landowners that a re survey will be taking place - maintenance where possible, re boring where possible, new bore samples where needed. Sadly I think I will come across some form of resistance from the locals, but hopefully not as I want to publish some papers!! Gold would be great, have a feeling it will be mostly, scrap that, I know it will ALL be quartz... *sarcastic sigh* but needs must!

[midas]

Thanks for the "Explanation"
I'm sure you'll have an interesting time.There are a lot of geological faults n occurrences,the Tyndrum one freatures a 6metre
wide steeply -dipping quartz vein,ie (Cononish Gold mine).something to do with the closure of the lapetus ocean,between 480 n 465 Ma.

If you hear BANJO's,Head for the river.lol.atb.m

Have you not thought of a 4 x 4 campervan.kill two birds with one stone.
No erecting tents n roughing it.n able to drive to a lot of the locations,n sleep on the job.lol.