The gear
Raidlight Sac Runner
Running shorts
Raidlight t-shirt (side pockets very handy)
X-socks (3 pairs)
Sahara cap with sun skirt (some caps had soft peaks that folded in the sandstorm!)
Buff
Sunglasses
Sand goggles
Running shoes
Gaiters
Long sleeved North Face ¾ zip top
MSR titanium kettle
MSR titanium spoon
MSR aluminium wind shield
RAB Quantum sleeping bag
Thermarest ¾ length sleep mat
Thermarest seat kit
Flip flops
Petzl head torch
Knife
Silva compass
P20 sun block
Sun block stick for lips/nose
Camelbak 2.5l water bag
SiS 750ml drinks bottle
What would I change?
· Maybe lighter long sleeved top
· Maybe spare T-shirt or vest for bivi as day shirt does get quite sweaty!
· Slightly lighter sleeping bag
A note on the Camelbak: There is much criticism towards using these on the Mds with many competitors choosing bottles attached to the ruc sac straps on the front. Physiologically it is supposed to be better to have the weight on your back rather than on the front but is of course a personal choice so I would try both options over a few training weeks to see what works best. The Camelbak works well for me but I will try the alternatives to see how they work.
The food
Jordan’s organic meusli with milk powder and banana REGO
Expedition freeze dried meals
Super noodles
Bakin’ Boys flapjacks
Mr BBQ beef jerky
REGO sachet
SiS GO electrolyte powder
Viper Extreme energy bars
SiS GO bars
Expedition foods apple and custard
Fig roll biscuits (1/2 packet)
Green tea bags
Cuppa soup sachets
· The flapjacks were great but did melt in the sun and the syrup/butter leaked slightly within each food bag.
· GO bars are hard to swallow but OK if eaten in very small bites or eaten as part of breakfast.
· Viper bars are chocolate coated so melted but went down very easily.
· Some people had coffee/hot chocolate sachets that went down well.
A typical day consisted of 100-150g of meusli, 1 main meal, super noodles or beef jerky, 80-160g electrolyte, 1 energy bar, 1 sachet of SiS REGO. This would typically give me 2,000-2,500 calories per day.
I had a total of 17,000 calories weighing 4.4kgs.
What would I change?
· At least 1,000 calories for breakfast by using meusli to keep weight down.
· No sweet main meals e.g. sweet and sour chicken didn’t go down too well, stick to potato or rice based.
· No sweet deserts – apple and custard was given away after trying it.
· Noodles for every day.
· Beef jerky or pepperami for every day.
· If you have a sweet tooth, some skittles or similar for each day.
First Aid kit
This is pretty much a personal choice but would take following next time.
· Hypodermic needle.
· Antiseptic wipes.
· TCP spray 50/50 water.
· Zinc oxide tape for toes.
· Wide tape for feet.
· Anti-inflammatory/painkiller tablets.
· Rehydration sachets.
· Compeed Blaren stick rather than Vaseline.
· Baby wipes.
· Hand gel.
I wouldn’t take any plasters, bandage or Compeed.