Beginners' Basics - Summer Packing

It's summer, the hills are alive with the sound of boots and trekking poles, the mud has dried into a nice, crinkly moonscape and the weather forecast sometimes looks half decent.

It's a far cry from the horrors of the British winter, but does that mean you can simply dump all that heavy spare clothing, hats, glove and the like? Well, yes and erm, no...

Here's our beginner's guide to what you should consider packing in your summer pack.

For information on dealing with heat, see our Survive The Sunshine article.

If you're relatively new to hills and mountains, you'll be surprised at how much the weather can change between the valleys and the tops. Generally temperatures fall by 1 degree C per 100 metres of height gained or around 3.2 degrees per thousand feet, so...

On top of a 3000-foot lakeland summit it will be around 10 degrees cooler than at sea level - that means a warm 20C day in the valley could be a cool as 10C on the top.

So don't assume that because it's nice low down, it'll also be pleasant on the tops; you could still need spare clothing. Add in wind chill and rapid changes in weather, rain showers and storms for example, and you can see it's worth thinking hard about what you need to carry.

Tip Check the weather forecast before you head out, but never assume it's infallible.

There's no right or wrong answer to what to carry, but a lightweight breathable waterproof jacket or smock is a good start.

If the weather forecast's excellent, you could make do with a lighweight windproof with water resistance, but in normal summer conditions, a waterproof, which you can also use as a windproof if needed, is a good idea.

In addition, a lightweight fleece or other insulated top which you can wear for stops is a sensible idea. You might also consider a lightweight beanie as an option.

Tip Because you won't be using a shell jacket as often in summer, you can prioritise lightness over breathability and just put up with being a bit sweaty if you have to.

Between you, you should always carry a basic first aid kit capable of dealing with cuts and so on. Alongside that, you should always have a lightweight polythene survival bag or a group survival shelter between you, plus a whistle to attract help if you're in trouble and a lightweight torch in case you're benighted. Finally, some fast release emergency rations are a good idea. Kendal Mint Cake, erm... At least you won't wolf it down for fun.

The good news is that kit's getting lighter and lighter, so a small LED headtorch, for example, won't really weigh you down.

Tip If you have a mobile, pack it, but don't assume it will definitely work. Coverage in mountain areas is often patchy.

You should always carry a compass and a map of the area you're in. Make sure your route is fully covered by the map or maps you have and, ideally, carry a spare just in case you lose or damage your main map.

GPS is great, but as with anything electronic, it's fallible and can fail, so you must know how to navigate using a map and compass.

Tip If you're part of a group, carry a couple of maps. In an emergency, it will also give you more options as someone going for help can take one with them.

High up breezes can often mean the sun feels less fierce than it really is, so err on the side of caution and pack plenty of high factor suncream.

Sunglasses will protect your eyes as well, plus consider protective lip balm too.

Tip Read sun block instructions carefully, apply in plenty of time before you go out and reapply frequently particularly if you're sweating a lot.

If it's hot, aim for an ideal 500cc of water per hour or so. That sounds a lot, but you can lose fluid fast working hard in summer. A three-litre hydration system will be adequate for most days. If you use a water bottle, consider carrying two or look for water sources on your route and consider using purification equipment.

On the food front, you still need to eat, so don't forget it...

Tip Drink little and often in summer to keep hydrated. Small levels of dehydration can cause significant fall off in performance.

Check our Buyers' Guide section for more detailed information on day sacs and other kit, but as a starting point, we'd suggest a pack with a capacity between about 25 and 30 litres, though if you're using a lot of lightweight kit, you may get away with smaller.

In summer, vented back packs are slightly more comfortable than conventional sacs which tend to leave you with a sweaty back, though they're not actually as cool as they look. We like Lowe Alpine's latest air gap design which puts air against your back rather than a mesh.

Tip Because you're carrying less, you can get away with a lighter, more basic pack in summer, but it's still worth taking your time to find one that's as comfortable as possible.