MDS: What worked and What didn't

When you take part in a challenge like the MdS you need to weigh up the pros and cons of taking certain items with you.. Remember, you have to carry EVERYTHING with you on route so you take what you need or might need only.. I've created two lists below of items I took - and underneath whether or not it was used and if it was worth taking etc... So first off the items you have to take with you as per MDS rules:


Compulsory Stuff!!

Backpack or equivalent (best suited to each participant)
I took the OMM 32l Classic with me and a Raidlight Front Pack.. I did find the front pack very useful but it didn't fit very well and gave me sore shoulders.. The OMM Backpack was excellent both for size and weight.. it was comfy too and what I had used most in training.. top marks!
Sleeping bag
Travelpak Lite - Snugpak Lightweight Sleeping Bag : Awesome.. light - cheap and with a base layer on was perfect for the night - it has a built in pocket and a net you can zip over your face to keep bugs out.
Torch with spare batteries
Petzl headlamp - had 3 settings, very bright, dim and flashing.. did well and used spare batteries also.
10 safety pins
don't get cheap ones as i did..
Compass with 1&degree; or 2&degree; precision
Easy enough - never used it though.
Lighter
Used plenty.. I would take the camping matches next time though as a lighter is no good in the wind.
Whistle
Attached to Rucksack, never used.
Knife with metal blade
Mtech Black Stainless Steel Blade Red Handle. Great knife - used plenty.
Tropical Disinfectant
Iodine.. used. worked.
Anti-Venom pump (insect poison remover)
Unused.
Signalling mirror
Unused,
One aluminium survival sheet
Unused.

The rest is my own choice of equipment.
My Stuff...

Camera
Lumix FX700... great for photos and video! Small & lightweight.
2 * Camera spare battery
used both
Camera spare memory
used but i don't think it was needed (16GB)
Watch
Took my Timex Ironman watch - it has a stopwatch and night light.. worked well and was used plenty too.
Iphone
Used to blog only - everything else was turned off.. lasted week without charging.
ZipLoc Bags
Very handy and good for sealing out the air.
Stickers & Pen for bags
Didn't use this or take with.
Socks
Took 2 x Inji's and 2 x Wrightsocks for daytime and a compression pair for nights.. After day two I only wore the Wrightsocks due to feet swelling up.
Pants
Nike compression 2 pairs. - I'm used to them - they work for me.
Vest
Nike compression - 2 one day one night.. again these work really well.
Shorts
2 pairs one for day one for night.. perfect.
Short sleeve t shirt
HH Dryfit..Day times just the one.
Long sleeve t shirt
HH Warm : For the evenings - slept in this - perfect!
Leggings
HH for cool evenings.. didn't use but would take again just in case - as they are so lightweight.
Hat
Trek Mates desert hat.. did the job well - has cooling crstals in rim - this helped too.
Gaitors
Silk - Sandbaggers.. they worked well as they could - need to be a good fit though and doen't kick rocks with them or they will get holes!
Trainers
INVO8 Roclites.. Great shoes for climbing and didn't let in sand - I might get something with more padding under foot though if i did it again - as they don't make good walking shoes.. 1 whole size larger worked for me.
Sunglasses
Poloroid with Strap..worked well on windy day but didn't wear them much as we faced away from sun most of the time.
Antiseptic wipes
Work well but then you do have a medical tent....
Riemann P20 Suncream
Blocks sun completely and only one application a day! Expensive stuff but worth every penny.
Toilet paper
I took 3 packets of Kleenex Handy tissues - 8 per packet - usually for blowing your nose.. they were perfect for the bum and other cleaning uses.
Gaffer tape
Essential! I didn't take much but i got away with it.. very handy!!
First Aid kit
I'd cut down on this next time completely.. Use Dr Trotter instead.
Lanacane
Brilliant anti chaffing gel!.. worked very well - one application a day!
Water purification tablets
Didn't use but good for an emergency.
Cooking tin & lid
Used the Blacks mess tin - fairly heavy but did the job well - ate from it too and its fairly easy to clean.
Spork
Yes.
Wind Buff
These are great as they have a few uses.. GET ONE!
Flip Flops
Took my Baffin slippers! BRILLIANT MOVE.. used as shoulder straps too..
Cable ties
Don't bother.
Large Needles and strong thread
Used on gaiters.. handy, light, so take it.
Toothpaste & Brush
Essential bit of kit.
Ground mat
I took a blue thin thing.. not again! Carpet is in tent but rocky underneath.. take something comfy for sure!
Ear plugs
Used one night but kept falling out due to sand in ear.. hmm.. take them they are light - you never know how is in your tent...
spray hand sanitizer
from the pound shop - Detol hand gel - alcohol based - does the job.
walking poles
I left these out and would do again.

I'll cover food on another day as it gets quite intricate ;)

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