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<body> <body>
<h1>Expo Personal Gear List</h1> <h1>Expo Personal Gear List</h1>
<p>First time on Expo: What should I take? Read on... No apologies are made for the simplistic approach, and no responsibility is accepted for errors or omissions ;-) Make sure you have at least the Essentials; consider taking the Extras for a more pleasant time, but don't fret if you can't get them. The Excessive sections are for the gearists...</p> <p>First time on Expo: What should I take? Read on... No apologies are made for the simplistic approach, and no responsibility is accepted for errors or omissions ;-) Make sure you have at least the Essentials; consider taking the Extras for a more pleasant time, but don't fret if you can't get them. The Excessive sections are for the gearists...</p>
<p>Lightweight stuff is good so as it makes carrying all your caving and camping gear to top camp significantly less epic/tedious. Two of everything (pit, karrimat, utensils, clothes) reduces the amount of stuff you have to keep carrying up and down the mountain.</p> <p>Lightweight stuff is good so as it makes carrying all your caving and camping gear to top camp significantly less epic/tedious. Two of everything (sleeping bag, roll mat, utensils, clothes) reduces the amount of stuff you have to keep carrying up and down the mountain.</p>
<h3>Gear-tape - labelling</h3> <h3>Gear-tape - labelling</h3>
<p>It is almost essential (for caving generally, but particularly for Expo) to settle on a particular combination of colours of electrical insulation tape, and label <em>absolutely everything</em> you own with the stuff. To see which combinations are available, have a look those already used at <a href="geartape.html">recent gear tape colours</a>.</p> <p>It is almost essential (for caving generally, but particularly for Expo) to settle on a particular combination of colours of electrical insulation tape, and label <em>absolutely everything</em> you own with the stuff. To see which combinations are available, have a look those already used at <a href="geartape.html">recent gear tape colours</a>.</p>
<p>Tape <em>everything</em>, not just your caving gear; while one karabiner looks much like another, it's equally true that one karrimat looks much like another. And especially your phone, phone cable, charger, charger-cable, laptop, mouse, mug/plate/cutlery - essentially anything you want to be reasonably sure to get back.</p> <p>Tape <em>everything</em>, not just your caving gear; while one karabiner looks much like another, it's equally true that one karrimat looks much like another. And especially your phone, phone cable, charger, charger-cable, laptop, mouse, mug/plate/cutlery - essentially anything you want to be reasonably sure to get back.</p>
<p><a href="https://www.toughtags.co.uk/">Tough Tags</a> are another option, though more expensive, and can be less ambiguous for colour-blind people.
<h3>Clothes</h3> <h3>Clothes</h3>
<p>Expo can be hot, cold, wet or dry, or (more usually) all of these in rapid succession and combination! It can be really dank and cold (cold fog or snowing!) in the bivi.</p> <p>Expo can be hot, cold, wet or dry, often in rapid succession and combination! It can be really dank and cold (cold fog or snowing!) at top camp. Fast drying clothes are the best kind.</p>
<ul> <ul>
<li>Essentials <li>Essentials
<ul> <ul>
<li>Sunshades, sun cream, sunhat - do not underestimate the power of the sun when wandering across the plateau!</li> <li>Sun cream - can be very expensive in Austrian shops. If you don't have any it can be bought cheapest in the pharmacy in Bad Aussee.</li>
<li>Sunshades, sunhat - do not underestimate the power of the sun when wandering across the plateau!</li>
<li>Warm hat, gloves.</li> <li>Warm hat, gloves.</li>
<li>Raincoat, fleece, shirts, shorts, trousers. Fast-drying gear is good. Versatile layers is good.</li> <li>Raincoat, fleece, shirts, shorts, trousers. Fast-drying gear is good. Versatile layers is good.</li>
<li>Underwear.</li> <li>Waterproof over-trousers.</li>
<li>Socks - lots of them! They will get wet.</li> <li>Underwear (there is a washing machine and a river at basecamp).</li>
<li>Boots - waterproof walking boots are better than non-waterproof ones. Make sure you get ones with good ankle support, for boulder-hopping (have a look at some of the photos of the plateau on this website and you'll see what I mean).</li> <li>Hiking socks</li>
<li>Trainers or other such footwear for wearing on the journey, into Bad Aussee or when you've had enough of clumping round in boots.</li> <li>Boots - waterproof walking boots are better than non-waterproof ones. Make sure you get ones with good ankle support, for boulder-hopping (have a look at some of the photos of the <a href="https://expo.survex.com/handbook/l/2024-03-07_plateau_jumble.html">plateau</a> on this website and you'll see what I mean).</li> Boots will get battered by the omnipresent sharp limestone on the plateau. Completely shagged boots will make your life harder, and nearly shagged boots will quickly become completely shagged. Brand new expensive boots will be battered so think about how much you're willing to spend if you buy new.
<li>Trainers or other such footwear for wearing on the journey, into Bad Aussee or when you've had enough of clumping around in boots.</li>
</ul> </ul>
</li> </li>
<li>Extras <li>Extras
<ul> <ul>
<li>Waterproof over-trousers - highly recommended/vital.</li> <li>Swimming trunks/costume for swimming in the river at base camp.</li>
<li>Crocs or other lightweight footwear for moving around top camp and scambling to the grike. (Open-toed sandals can be a problem due to pointy limestone).</li>
</ul>
<li>Excessive
<ul>
<li>Gaiters - keeps the snow and/or water out of your socks.</li> <li>Gaiters - keeps the snow and/or water out of your socks.</li>
<li>Swimming trunks/cossie for swimming in the river at base camp.</li>
<li>Crocs or other lightweight footwear for moving around the bivi and scambling to the toilet grike. (Open-toed sandals can be a problem due to pointy limestone).</li>
</ul> </ul>
</li> </li>
</ul> </ul>
@@ -39,41 +46,37 @@
<ul> <ul>
<li>Essentials <li>Essentials
<ul> <ul>
<li>Sleeping bag - make sure it's warm, 3 season at least; it can be damn cold/snowy/windy.</li> <li>Base camp tent - bring your own or arrange to share in advance. Should be waterproof as there can be very heavy rain.</li>
<li>Something to sleep on at top camp. Minimum is Karrimat. Air beds and camp beds also popular. We have a small stock of <a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B0025YIAP6/">camp beds</a> in the bivi. They are cheap and weigh only 3kg, but you do need an insulating layer as well as a sleeping bag. Sharp floor put thermarests and airbeds at risk of deflation if used directly on the 'floor'.</li> <li>Sleeping bag - make sure it's warm, 3 season at least. It can be very cold/snowy/windy.</li>
<li>Head torch.</li> <li>Head torch (with charger)</li>
<li>Mug, spoon, mess tin for bivi</li> <li>Mug, spoon, mess tin for top camp</li>
<li>Batteries and/or charger for above.</li> <li>Bivi Bag - breathable - top camp can be quite drippy (and cold).</li>
<li>Bivi Bag - breathable - the bivi can be quite drippy (and cold).</li>
</ul> </ul>
</li> </li>
<li>Extras <li>Extras
<ul> <ul>
<li>Something to sleep on at top camp - sleeping mat, air bed or camp bed. We have a small stock of <a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B0025YIAP6/">camp beds</a> and roll mats at top camp - but one isn't guarunteed to be available. These work as an insulating layer and are necessary in addition to a sleeping bag sleeping bag. The sharp floor puts thermarests and airbeds at risk of deflation if used directly on the 'floor'.</li>
<li>Second (rather lower-spec) sleeping bag, for using at base camp. This means you don't have to carry your sleeping bag across the plateau every time.</li> <li>Second (rather lower-spec) sleeping bag, for using at base camp. This means you don't have to carry your sleeping bag across the plateau every time.</li>
<li>Camp bed provides fewest punctures.</li>
<li>Second karrimat, for the same reason.</li> <li>Second karrimat, for the same reason.</li>
<li>Knife, fork, spoon, mug for basecamp (you may be able to get by on expo-communal ones).</li> <li>Knife, fork, spoon, mug for basecamp (you may be able to get by on expo-communal ones).</li>
<li>Second/spare camp light/clothes/hat (anything you want to leave at bivi but might need at base too).</li> <li>Spare lights/clothes/hat (anything you want to leave at top camp but might need at base camp too).</li>
<li>Penknife - some people would regard this as essential.</li> <li>Penknife - some people would regard this as essential.</li>
<li>Base camp tent - more or less any waterproof one will do. See if you can share...</li> <li>12V charger (car cigarette-lighter plug) or 5V USB-based charger for the chargers at top camp</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Excessive (this section could go on and on...)
<ul>
<li>Inflatable pillow</li> <li>Inflatable pillow</li>
</ul> </ul>
</li> </li>
</li>
</ul> </ul>
<h3>Caving equipment</h3> <h3>Caving equipment</h3>
<ul> <ul>
<li>Essentials <li>Essentials
<ul> <ul>
<li>Oversuit, (warm) undersuit, wetsocks/woolly socks, kneepads, wellies, helmet, gloves.</li> <li>Oversuit, (warm) undersuit, wetsocks/woolly socks, kneepads, wellies, helmet, gloves.</li>
<li>Shreddies</li> <li>Thermal vest and leggings - could be essential. The caves are cold and there will be periods of waiting around and slow survey work.</li>
<li>Balaclava - it's 4C underground.</li> <li>Balaclava - it's 4C underground.</li>
<li>Light - preferably long-duration LED. Bring enough batteries for 30-40 hours caving. There is 12V recharging at the bivi but capacity is limited and sun-based. <li>Headtorch. Bring enough batteries for 30-40 hours caving. There is 12V recharging at the bivi but capacity is limited and sun-based.
<ul> <ul>
<li>charger!.</li> <li>charger!</li>
</ul> </ul>
</li> </li>
<li>Backup light.</li> <li>Backup light.</li>
@@ -81,12 +84,13 @@
<li>Karabiners - the more the merrier! Have you ever seen someone with too many?</li> <li>Karabiners - the more the merrier! Have you ever seen someone with too many?</li>
<li>Emergency whistle.</li> <li>Emergency whistle.</li>
<li>13mm spanner (open ended) for bolting. Preferably half-length. Attached with snoopy/krab and elastic/gear string to arm, wrist or harness.</li> <li>13mm spanner (open ended) for bolting. Preferably half-length. Attached with snoopy/krab and elastic/gear string to arm, wrist or harness.</li>
<li>Dangly bag, large enough for: <li>Personal tacklesack, large enough for:
<ul> <ul>
<li>Spare batteries.</li> <li>Spare batteries.</li>
<li>Flapjack, fudge, chocolate bars, tube of condensed milk, etc.</li> <li>Snacks.</li>
<li>Water bottle.</li> <li>Water bottle.</li>
<li>Survival bag (this could live in a pocket.)</li> <li>Survival bag (this could live in a pocket.)</li>
<li>Extra layers / gimp mac</li>
<li>Small first aid kit</li> <li>Small first aid kit</li>
<li>Maybe your entire SRT kit too, if you're going through a tight section or have a long way to go before you get to the pitches.</li> <li>Maybe your entire SRT kit too, if you're going through a tight section or have a long way to go before you get to the pitches.</li>
</ul> </ul>
@@ -95,14 +99,13 @@
</li> </li>
<li>Extras <li>Extras
<ul> <ul>
<li>Thermal vest and leggings - could be essential. The caves are cold and there will be periods of waiting around and slow survey work.</li> <li>Spare stuff - check your jammers and descender and, if worn, bring a new one - lots of long, deep or muddy trips can quickly age your kit </li>
<li>Technical underwear (not cotton)</li>
<li>Extra gear attachment points on harness - e.g. Beast D-ring.</li> <li>Extra gear attachment points on harness - e.g. Beast D-ring.</li>
<li>Emergency knife (in case you are involved in a mid-rope rescue - but make sure you know what you're doing before you start slashing around!)</li> <li>Emergency knife (in case you are involved in a mid-rope rescue - but make sure you know what you're doing before you start slashing around!)</li>
<li>Pulley. Indispensable if you ever have to haul people, and a great help even for tackle sacks.</li> <li>Microtraxion. Indispensable for hauling (make sure you know what you're doing if it's a person). Will also work as a hand jammer if you drop yours.</li>
<li>Spare gloves - you are very likely to trash a pair (or two) on expo</li> <li>Spare gloves - you are very likely to trash a pair (or two) on expo</li>
<li>gimp (cheapo plastic mac) - makes waiting around at pitchheads much less grim</li> <li>Gimp mac (cheap, portable windproof jacket) - makes waiting around and surveying much less cold</li>
<li>Euro adaptor for charger/gadgets (UK sockets available at base camp so no need for multiple ones)</li>
<li>12V charger (car cigarette-lighter plug) or 5V USB-based charger for the bivi</li>
</ul> </ul>
</li> </li>
<li>Excessive <li>Excessive
@@ -124,40 +127,47 @@
<li>Essentials <li>Essentials
<ul> <ul>
<li>Rucksack or pack frame. Make this a <strong>BIG</strong> one; don't make the same mistake as Aled by bringing a little 35 litre. <strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">65 litres or more</span></strong>.</li> <li>Rucksack or pack frame. Make this a <strong>BIG</strong> one; don't make the same mistake as Aled by bringing a little 35 litre. <strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">65 litres or more</span></strong>.</li>
<li>Compass.</li>
<li>Water bottle/bladder.</li> <li>Water bottle/bladder.</li>
<li>Toiletries - toothbrush, toothpaste, soap etc.</li> <li>Toiletries - toothbrush, toothpaste, soap etc.</li>
<li>Flannel &amp; towel.</li> <li>Towel.</li>
<li>Glasses &amp; spares if you need them.</li> <li>Glasses &amp; spares if you need them.</li>
<li>Contact lenses - get enough daily use-once ones. The upper caves are very dusty.</li> <li>Contact lenses - get enough daily use-once ones. The upper caves are very dusty.</li>
<li>Bivvy bag (very lightweight, non-breathable) - emergency shelter anywhere. The plateau can become unfriendly very quickly. Erin and Earl had to resort to bivvy bags when caught by a storm on the Hinter in 1999. You could use the one from your caving gear, or get a proper camping one too. (Warning - fancy ones can be ludicrously expensive!)</li> <li>Bivvy bag (very lightweight, non-breathable) - emergency shelter anywhere. The plateau can become unfriendly very quickly. Erin and Earl had to resort to bivvy bags when caught by a storm on the Hinter in 1999. You could use the one from your caving gear, or get a proper camping one too. (Warning - fancy ones can be ludicrously expensive!)</li>
<li>Plastic bags/dry-bags - the secret to dry clothes/pit/gear is bags in bags, with spare bags to hand...</li> <li>Plastic bags/dry-bags - the secret to dry clothes/pit/gear is bags in bags, with spare bags to hand...</li>
<li>Reserve supply of gear tape, in case you need to relabel anything.</li> <li>Reserve supply of gear tape, in case you need to relabel anything.</li>
<li>Money - although if you're a mean, awkward, skinflint you could get through Expo without spending anything, you will probably want to spend money on postcards, personal 'nice food' and tourist stuff on days off. Most people pay for the Expo shopping at some time; this will count as credit towards your Expo bill. There are cash dispensers in Bad Aussee.</li> <li>Bank card. It's usually expected that you'll pay for some communal things on expo, and this will be subtracted from your end bill. This avoids any one person being stuck with large payments at the end of expo.
<li>Passport.</li> <li>Passport.</li>
<li>EHIC (European health insurance card).</li> <li>GHIC (Global Health Insurance Card).</li>
<li>Insurance.</li> <li>Insurance - <strong>Mandatory</strong>. Snowcard or BCA will cover expeditionary caving.</li>
<li>Food for the journey out.</li>
<li>PVC oversuit owners: appropriate patching kit.</li> <li>PVC oversuit owners: appropriate patching kit.</li>
</ul> </ul>
</li> </li>
<li>Extras <li>Extras
<ul> <ul>
<li>Laptop/tablet - can be used for data entry/prospecting guide info/drawing up</li> <li>Earplugs - people can be loud at night.</li>
<li>Euro adaptor for charger/gadgets (UK sockets available at base camp so no need for multiple ones)</li>
<li>Laptop/tablet - useful for surveying and writing logbook entries. There is a communal expo laptop normally available for this.</li>
<li>Camera/phone, plus your own USB charging cable.</li> <li>Camera/phone, plus your own USB charging cable.</li>
<li>GPS - or good GPS app on your phone. For surface surveying and finding entrances.</li> <li>GPS - or good GPS app on your phone. For surface surveying and finding entrances.</li>
<li>Compass.</li>
<li>Walking pole(s) for walking across the plateau. Useful for balance when stepping across big holes. Most people seem to just use one as two get in the way on the scrambly bits.</li> <li>Walking pole(s) for walking across the plateau. Useful for balance when stepping across big holes. Most people seem to just use one as two get in the way on the scrambly bits.</li>
<li>Cash for the journey (in Euros).</li> <li>Cash in Euros.</li>
<li>Book to read on the journey. Base camp has a big box of books for when it rains there.</li>
<li>Mending kit - glue, needle and thread or Speedy Stitcher.</li> <li>Mending kit - glue, needle and thread or Speedy Stitcher.</li>
<li>Spare stuff - check your jammers and descender and, if worn, bring a new one - lots of long, deep or muddy trips can quickly age your kit </li> </ul>
</ul> </ul>
</li>
<h3>Driving</h3>
</ul>
<p>Different European countries have different rules about what must be carried in the car. These can change so check current rules of countries you will be driving through. Some of the usual things are:
<ul> <ul>
.</li> <li>Driver's License</li>
</ul> <li>V5C (Vehicle Registation Document)</li>
</li> <li>Warning triangle (inside the car, not in the boot)</li>
</ul> <li>Hi-vis vests for every passenger</li>
<p><em>Original by Earl Merson (1999); edited and updated David Loeffler (2003), Edvin, Duncan, OllyM (2008) and Wookey (2014) and Philip (2018)</em></p> <li>First-aid kit</li>
<li>UK sticker (GB ones are no longer allowed)</li>
<li>Headlight adapters</li>
<ul>
<p><em>Original by Earl Merson (1999); edited and updated David Loeffler (2003), Edvin, Duncan, OllyM (2008), Wookey (2014), Philip (2018) and Jonty (2025)</em></p>
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