Beginner's Guide to Tramping

Tramping is an activity that many would think doesn’t require a ‘Beginner’s Guide’, but there really is a lot more to tramping than most people think. Really, it all depends what you want to do. This guide will attempt to cover a range of tramping options, gear and techniques that might help you get started or improve your current skills. While we’ve covered quite a bit of basic knowledge here, there still is a lot more to learn. There are plenty of good tramping books available that should provide you with any info we haven’t covered.

Tramping is a great activity and really is what you make of it. A tramp can be a simple ‘day tramp’, not requiring you to stay out overnight, or it can be a multi-day adventure, involving wading through streams and rivers, climbing mountains and cooking gourmet meals under the stars.
There is no doubt that New Zealand is a tramper’s paradise, you can explore many stunning landscapes from the high mountain passes of the Routeburn Track to the golden sandy beaches of Abel Tasman National Park, or you can get dark and mysterious in Te Urewera National Park around Lake Waikaremoana. 
Another bonus that we take for granted in New Zealand is the lack of things that will kill and eat you. There are no grizzlies or mountain lions, although Black Sheep are to be looked out for…

To get started you’re going to need to open your wallet and purchase a bit of gear. Again the type and amount of gear you’re going to need to buy will depend on the type of tramping you’re looking to get into. Gear required can be simple to technical, from a simple walking pole to a set of state of the art crampons. To start with though, you’re just going to need the basics.

Boots
The most basic of all your gear is often the most complicated, boots. When looking for a pair of boots you’re going to need to think about a few key aspects. Most importantly, what type of tramping do you want to do? Are you looking to tramp only in summer when it’s dry? Or are you going to head to a wet location? How long are the tramps you’re going to be doing? Most often people are looking for a good reliable boot that serves an all-around purpose. You want it to be relatively waterproof, light, strong and supportive. Generally a three-four season boot will serve the purposes of most trampers. You can expect to pay anywhere from $200 - $700 for a pair of three-four season boots. See our tramping gear guide on page 60 to see a range of tramping boots.
 
Packs
A good pack is your next major purchase, just as important as your boots, a pack needs to see you through to the end of your tramp – not half way. Most experienced trampers will have at some point experienced an equipment failure and understand the difficulty it can place on not just yourself but everyone else in the group. Pack failures can result in having to spread your gear throughout the group or having to carry gear in an improvised manner that is unsupportive and could do damage to your back. This is why it’s important not to skimp on price, particularly with packs. Money tends to buy quality and a pack is something that should last you many years. When buying your pack you should consider similar aspects to when your buying a pair of boots. What type of tramping do you want to do? Does it need to be waterproof? How big does it need to be? Packs vary greatly in size, from 25L daypacks to 85L expedition packs. Consider the type of tramping you want to do and how much gear you’ll need to carry. A good size for a multi-day tramper is 50-65L, this should see you out for up to five days. Packs are becoming increasingly technical with many different features, consider whether these are features you’ll need or not. Make sure of a few things: (1) The pack feels sturdy and like it’s not going to fall apart (2) Make sure the pack fits you personally - just because the salesperson tells you it’s good, doesn’t mean it’s right for you. Put it on, put something in it if you can, and walk around. Does it feel comfortable and balanced? (3) Padded straps can be a big shoulder saver, narrow straps will be a killer on multi-day tramps, make sure it has nice wide padded straps. (4) Easily accessible storage for drinks and snacks; most good packs come with spots for hydration systems but it’s also good to have space available to be able to store bottled drinks and snacks so you don’t have to take your pack off to get to them.
Other handy features are internal dividers, waterproof inners, walking pole holders and reflective features. See our tramping gear guide on page 60 to see a range of quality multi-day tramping packs.

Clothing
The gear you wear is something that might save your life so make sure you have the right clothing for the trip. Tramping clothing can be broken down into layers, base, mid and outer. Your base layer is crucial, this is what’s ultimately going to keep you warm when the temperature drops. Polypropylene is always a great option, it’s light and provides excellent warmth, it also dries out quickly if need be. Merino products are also very warm and breathable and quick drying and make great base layers. Your base layer will need to have the ability to wick moisture away from the skin to prevent your getting the chills.
Your mid-layer is most likely going to be some type of polar fleece. This will need to provide warmth and also have the ability to wick moisture away from the skin if required.
Your outer layer will comprise of a jacket suited to the conditions. Obviously in alpine conditions a heavy-duty winter jacket will be required however often in tramping situations you may only need a jacket that will keep you dry. It often rains while tramping, and once you’re wet right through it can get miserable, fast. Make sure when selecting a jacket you get something that is waterproof. Gore-Tex is a very popular waterproof material that should see you through the wet days.
Shorts tend to suffice as far as the lower half goes, although you may want to purchase some gaiters if you’re going to be walking through any brush or grass, particularly if wet, as your socks will be soaked in no time if you don’t. Pants or shorts really just comes down to personal preference.

Bags
A suitable sleeping bag is absolutely vital when tramping. The difference between the right bag and the wrong bag can be the worst night’s sleep of your life. Anyone who’s made that mistake will be able to attest to that. There are two main factors when choosing a bag, synthetic or down? Synthetic bags are insulated by plastics, which are arranged into threads. The benefits of synthetics are that they’re affordable and they still provide warmth even when wet, plus they dry out quickly. The other type of bag is down. Down bags are filled with duck or goose down. Down traps air to create insulation between you and the cold air outside. Basically the higher the fill level in a down bag, the warmer it will be. Down bags are expensive but they make up for this by being very warm, packing away small, being very light and lasting longer than synthetics. The only issue with down is if they get wet they can be very difficult to dry.
When deciding if you need down or synthetic consider the conditions or time of year you’re going to be tramping in. How warm will your bag need to be? If you’ll be tramping in very cold conditions then a down bag might be the way to go, if you don’t tramp too often then maybe a synthetic bag is the best option due to the affordability. Handy tip: It’s a good idea to get a bag that can insulate to a slightly colder temperature than you think you’ll require; many temperature ratings tend to be very optimistic.

Poles
Walking poles again are a matter of preference, however once most people try walking poles they usually continue to use them. You can save considerable energy by using your arms to support the body and they promote better posture. When used properly you’ll move faster and more efficiently. There is a range of different poles on the market, but they can be pricey. An old set of ski poles can do the trick; however if you do want to get the most out of a set of poles a tramping specific set will be best. Make sure the grip is comfortable (foam is good), telescopic poles can be an advantage when changing terrain.

Other essentials

Socks
Socks are crucial, strong sturdy woollen socks, and plenty of them. There’s nothing better than getting to the hut and changing from a wet pair of socks into a nice fresh pair. You can never have too many.

Water Steriliser
There is a wide range of different sterilising products available. Something simple, light and effective is key here.

Lighting
A torch, headlamp or gas lamp is a must. Headlamps work well as they allow the use of your hands for cooking, reading etc.

First Aid
A simple first aid kit is a must have. You should be able to find suitable kits from your local outdoor store.

Cooking Equipment
If you’re planning on multi-day tramping then you’re going to need a few items, namely a cooker and a pot. The amount of cutlery you take is a matter of personal preference, more hardened trampers tend to keep the load as light as possible. You’ll soon learn that one pot (known as a ‘billy’), a mug, a knife, fork and spoon should satisfy most of your needs. You can eat straight from your billy so you shouldn’t need a plate. However if you’re tramping with more than one person you’ll need extra pots and cutlery as necessary.
Propane cookers are the most common on the market and easiest to use, however there are also liquid cookers available that are more economical and cook faster – these are more expensive than propane cookers and do require some maintenance. Propane cookers are recommended for those just getting started and are available at all good outdoor stores.

Food
Food is your fuel and therefore is very important, not just how much you eat, but what you eat. You’ll be burning a lot of calories every day so it’s important that you take in as many as you can to ensure you have plenty of energy. Before heading off on your tramp, plan the meals you want to eat, write down the ingredients required and then head to the supermarket. Don’t just rock up and try and find food on the fly, this is difficult and it’s almost guaranteed that you’ll forget something. Here are a few different foods that you should include when planning your tramp.

Pasta
If you’re going to be a serious tramper you should get used to eating pasta as it’s a staple. Light, full of carbs and tastes great. Ideally the best pasta options are dried ‘ready-to-go’ meals, packs like Continental that just need a little milk powder and some water and you’ve got a tasty meal. You can also consider freeze-dried meals like Backcountry Cuisine. You’ll be surprised by the range of meals they can dry and put in a bag - lamb fettuccine, roast chicken, and Moroccan lamb, just to name a few. This can start to get a little pricey if you’re going to need quite a few meals, but it’s certainly worth taking at least one to have as a gourmet meal on your last night.
If you’re going to take plain pasta, make sure you take something to put with it. A bit of bacon, tuna or sliced up salami will normally do the trick.

Tinned Foods
Firstly, tinned food tends to be heavy, but they’re definitely worth the weight. A few small cans of tinned tuna is a good idea, not too heavy, tastes great in pasta, on crackers or just on its own. Plus it’s a great protein source. Other tinned options include ‘ready-to-go’ meals. These can be great, if you don’t mind carrying them. Packed with vegetables and meat and very quick to prepare. A good idea is to take two cans and have them on your first night and first morning, that way you’re not carrying them too far and you get a couple good solid meals under your belt to kick off your tramp.

Meats
Meats like ham are not recommended unless they’re going to be eaten on the first day - they won’t last long in hot conditions. Instead take cured meat like salami or beef jerky. Salami can be sliced up, lasts a long time, and will make almost any concoction look appetising.

Liquids
Your key liquid (that you need to pack) is going to be milk. Of course, you’re nuts if you think you’re carrying fresh milk - powdered milk is the way to go and tastes fine. You’ll need it for your pasta and hot tea or Milo after a long hard day.
A handy little tip to make your drinking water that much nicer is to take Raro or a hydration supplement (PeakFuel is a good option), it’ll give you a few extra electrolytes and you’ll certainly appreciate the taste.
Editor’s tip: When I head out tramping I always pack a tube of Berocca. Drop a couple of those in your bottle and it’ll add a nice taste and give you a good boost of energy.

Extras
Of course don’t forget to take a few goodies, don’t fill your pack with them by any means, but make sure you grab yourself a few little treats to reward yourself at the end of the day.
Muesli bars are a must to snack on throughout the day, good on energy and taste and light on the back. Of course the classic tramper’s favourite is Scroggin, a mixture of nuts and fruit to your liking.
Also, don’t forget you’re going to need salt, pepper, any necessary oils and a couple spreads (peanut butter & vegemite are good choices).


Staying in Huts
New Zealand has a brilliant network of hundreds of huts maintained by the Department of Conservation (DOC). Huts require maintenance and as such a small fee is charged to stay a night in any hut. This fee ranges from $5 (adult) for a Backcountry Hut to as much as $40 for a Great Walk Hut. For details about the exact facilities at a hut (sleeping capacity, cooking facilities, heating, lighting, fees and booking requirements) check the backcountry hut information on the DOC website or contact a DOC visitor centre.

Safety
While tramping is an inherently safe activity it can just as easily turn nasty if certain precautions aren’t followed. The most important thing is to make sure you’ve checked the weather before you leave, if it looks like it’s going to be bad, don’t go. Particularly when heading into areas that are prone to flash flooding or you need to make river crossings. Rivers can rise extremely fast, and most trampers can tell you a story about how the tame little stream or river turned into a massive torrent of water on their return.
Make sure you have all the gear you need to survive the weather conditions forecasted, even if there’s no forecast for rain take a jacket in case.
Aside from the weather the most important thing is to make sensible decisions, don’t do something that might put yourself or your party at risk. Going off the track is not recommended unless you have significant experience and good compass and map skills.
If you are going to be heading off trail for any significant amount of time it could be a good idea to consider getting a beacon (see McMurdo beacons in our adventure guide on page 68). A handheld GPS unit is also a good idea as it can provide a pinpoint location, however dense bush can render it pretty useless so don’t make it your only navigation tool, always have a map and compass and know how to use it.


Keep New Zealand Beautiful!
One of the most important things to remember when heading into the New Zealand outdoors is to take out what you take in. All of your rubbish needs to be bagged and brought home with you. Respect the environment and keep New Zealand beautiful for future generations.