Bush leader Chris Gardner is also a Good Local Media journalist.
Wearing the right clothes on a hike or tramp could save your life, wearing the wrong clothes could end it.
Chris Gardner
Layering your clothing is essential in New Zealand where you can experience subtropical to subantarctic conditions in one day on the trail.
The hiker or tramper’s challenge is to maintain their core temperature at around 37 degrees Celsius. Dropping below 35 degrees can cause hypothermia, rising above 38.5 can cause hyperthermia. Left untreated both can cause death.
Hiking and tramping clothes should be selected based on the principles of layering. Air is trapped in both the clothes and in the layers between them. Many thin layers give the hiker and tramper better control than a few thick layers.
The base layer, mid layer and outer layer all work together to keep the hiker and tramper just right.
Look for a base layer made from a moisture wicking material designed to move moisture, whether its sweat, rain, or river water, away from your skin. A polypropylene thermal top and leggings will keep you dryer, warmer, and less prone to hypothermia in the winter and at altitude. Sea scouts wear polypropylene underneath quick dry shirts, shorts, and personal floatation devices, because they retain the heat even when they are wet.
Merino wool tops and leggings also makes an excellent base layer, as they absorb moisture. They take longer to dry than polypropylene.
Mid-layer clothes trap warm air close to the body as they work with the base layer to regulate heat. Examples of mid-layer clothes include a polyester fleece jacket, a synthetic insulated jacket, and a down jacket. A down jacket is particularly good on the trail as it packs down but it will lose its insulation properties if it gets soaked.
Quick dry walking shorts or pants are also essential mid-layer clothes.
Good outer layer clothing, such as a waterproof and windproof jacket and pants, will protect the hiker and tramper from a soaking. But if the rain is heavy enough, seeking shelter is a wise precaution. Some native trees in the bush make for an excellent umbrella.
I’m with Scottish comedian Billy Connolly who said: “There’s no such thing as bad weather, just the wrong clothing, so get yourself a sexy raincoat and live a little.”
Cotton should be avoided at all costs. Chief Ambassador of World Scouting Bear Grylls popularised the saying: “Cotton kills in the hills.” It absorbs water, holds it against your skin, loses all insulation properties and chilling you rapidly. Another saying is: “Cotton is rotten and should be forgotten.”
