The Outdoor Traveller You’ve been bitten by the adventure bug – it’s the outdoors you’re looking forward to. Here’s help to get you through the nitty gritties of packing light and right. Pack essentials – food, clothing and maps of the area. Ideally, food should be packaged in tins or packets. Daytime and evening temperatures can vary vastly when you are out in the open – include a warm jacket or coat in your backpack. Rainwear is a good idea for the sudden squall. Jeans and track pants wear well and it’s a good idea to carry extra pairs of socks. A plastic clothesline helps you to dry washed clothes if it’s a long trip you’re looking at. A First-Aid kit is a must. Apart from the usual, pack in prescription drugs if you happen to be on any and a spare pair of spectacles. It makes a whole lot of sense to find out in advance about the nearest Medical Centre to your camping site, in case of unprecedented emergencies. Carry plastic bags to separate dry and wet clothes, clean and dirty clothes in your backpack. For the odd squall, a plastic sheet to drape your backpack is a good idea. Wrap the matchboxes in plastic to protect them from damp and don’t forget to pack in a torch with spare batteries. Carry an updated map, and definitely a compass. A Swiss army knife will come in handy. Buy film for your camera – sometimes small towns do not sell film rolls. If your hiking boots are new, remember to break into them before the trip. Trudging through rain and snow without rain-protective boots? Slip a plastic bag on over your socks to prevent your feet getting wet. While trekking carry a pouch of salt or cigarette that will come in handy in a leech infested area. If you've run out of sun block during a trek, toothpaste serves as a good substitute.