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Looking at getting a PLCE Bergen for my daughter to do her DofE Gold ( we have had 3 rucksacks so far , to do her Bronze and i think its time to get the best ), the gold is 3 nights away, so she will need to carry a fair bit of stuff
I have messaged the few army mates i have, one replied about getting a large hiking backpack from a camping shop ( we have done that before and it hasnt worked out well )
SO short or Long ? ? ??
oh and i also have a fair few Mollie stuff, which is why the Bergen is my preferred choice
The shop in the Wydham arcade used to be the place, and they gave good advice but it has closed. (Baileys?) I think it has reopened elsewhere but not sure where.Quote:
Originally Posted by blue matt
The bergen depends on thresize of the person carrying it, all up weight, lots of things. The wrong thing even if not too heavy can be a problem maker for the back.
What will she need to carry for 3 nights? Unless she has to carry a load of equipment I'm not sure something as big as a Bergen would be necessary.
Put out everything she will need to carry for the 3 nights, then take away everything that isn't essential, and work out what size is required from there.
ThisQuote:
Originally Posted by Harry Monk
People can carry a load of unnecessary stuff with them ‘just in case’.
Consider the time of year and the terrain The DoE supplies a minimum kit list.
Take more than one dry bag
Curry powder to make the food taste better
Plastic bags to take a dump in and wet wipes to clean yourself up
Sort into large items.
In tent items
Stuff you need to reach easily
Pack according to how urgent you might want to get something with the larger stuff at the bottom
Then buy a 50 litre cadet force mk2 Bergen. You can get them on amazon
cheers, we are popping down to cornwall for a few days next week, one of the local towns has a army surplus store, the guy who owns it seems fairly clued up, we will most prob pop in, if we can leave the wavesQuote:
Originally Posted by xsnaggle
clothes for 3 more days, sleeping bag, parts of a tent ( it'll be split between 2 or 3 of them ) cooking equipment, water, food, a bowl and a spork, spare shoes for when they camp, sleeping mat, and loads of other crap, we had a 70 L backpack and it was full to the brim for just 1 night, that was 50 L main compartment, 2 X 10 L sides and i had a few Mollie pouches for various stuff ( mainly 1st aid kit, sun screen, protein snack bars )Quote:
Originally Posted by Harry Monk
the D of E insist they take loads of stuff, 1 thick Hoodie took up a shed load of space, of course everything was packing in dry bags aswell, which with all the will in the world take up more space with air
Thus the Bergen at 90 - 100 L main and 2 side pockets of 10 L with all the mollie stuff i had should mean she has enough space and from speaking to a few squadies i know over the years ( i used to work for the MOD down in tidworth and Bulford ) the bergen is the best in the world
just a update incase the people who helped me are interested
We went to a local camping shop who specialise in D of E kit, they wanted to sell me a £120 rucksack :angry: it was a vango sherpa backpack and looked great, but it will only be used a few times again ( by youngest if she wants to do it )
So back to the Bergen, Asked one of the dad's of my football U12 girls as he is in the army, long of short back ?? ?, he said, deffo short and i will get you one, its been used, but gave it a good wash and it looks mint ( just need the 2 PLCE side pockets for it now ) , only cost me a box of biscuits and a 6 pack of beer :thumbup:
need to shorten the waste strap as she is too thin and its not tight, but got a local Chinese bloke who does sewing repairs, so will ask him :thumbup:
cheers for the advice folks
Hairdryer, makeup, high-heeled boots, portable TV, inflatable mattress, that sort of thing.. :biggrin:Quote:
Originally Posted by Harry Monk
Just realised that you AND Ronnie Bird are both from East Anglia. Feck me.Quote:
Originally Posted by Wales-Bales
Got no advise , but I hope she enjoys and gets her gold and makes dad proud.
Did my 'gold' nearly 50yrs ago. End of October in the Brecon Beacons. Seem to remember was carrying something like 14lbs - is that right ??Quote:
Originally Posted by blue matt