Backpacking kit advice: a request answered

I recently read and thoroughly enjoyed the article entitled The Magnificent Seven by James Forrest (TGO, August 2021) about his social adventure with friends through Borrowdale and the Buttermere valley.

I was wondering if James had a list of what equipment he took with him on the trip? I’m particularly interested in what tent and other camping equipment he’d recommend. For example, I noticed in one of the photos James has a camp chair, which looks comfy and useful around camp – what make is it? Any tips for a novice camper would be much appreciated. Richard Balmer

Reply from James Forrest: Thanks, Richard – I’m really glad you enjoyed the article.

For my two-day trip, I packed all of the usual essentials for a backpacking journey: one-person tent, sleeping bag, sleeping mat, camping stove (plus gas canister, lighter, pot, mug and spork), very basic toiletries bag, trowel, first aid kit, waterproof jacket, waterproof trousers, synthetic insulated jacket, Buff, one-litre water bottle, water purification tablets, head torch, thermal baselayers (to use as pyjamas) and food.

All of this fitted neatly into a couple of dry- bags, which I stuffed inside my Gossamer Gear Kumo 36 backpack. I didn’t take any spare clothes, underwear or socks, as I was only away for two days; and I also ditched most other non-essentials including pillow, sleeping bag liner, sit mat, gloves, hat, deodorant, book and loads more. This helped keep my backpack weight at about 7-8kg, including food and water.

I slept in my Gossamer Gear The One tent, which is pitched using trekking poles and weighs just over 500g, but that’s quite a specialist shelter. For more beginner-friendly options, the MSR Hubba NX has excellent room and liveability; or for a bargain try the Vango Banshee 200 or Alpkit Soloist. My other favourite camping gear includes the Therm-a-Rest NeoAir UberLite inflatable sleeping mat, Alpkit Kraku stove and Sierra Designs Cloud 800 20F sleeping bag.

I must admit that I cheated a little bit with the chair, as my girlfriend brought it over by car when she joined us for dinner in the evening at Syke Farm campsite. But I love my Helinox Chair One for more luxurious wild camping trips too: it clocks in at just 960g and is sized like a studious kid’s pencil case when packed down. The lightest chair in the Helinox range, the Chair Zero, weighs just 490g.