Packing a Bergen.
This is presented as some basic
advice for packing your Bergen. It is not the only way you can do this or even
the ‘right’ way to do it but it is a start.
One of the main ideas when
packing your kit is to try to keep the weight as high as possible so it can be
spread over your shoulders, back and hips rather than having the weight lower
down which can cause stress to your body. You also want to keep the weight as
close to your back as possible so you do not over balance if going up or down
hills. Also try to make sure the pack is also balanced on both sides as well so
not to put more pressure on one side of your body than the other otherwise this
will hurt too.
Brown
Light Blue
Dark Green
Orange
Dark Blue
Light Green
Red
White
Purple
Grey
Bergan Sections:
1. Top Outer Pocket – Brown
Waterproof jacket if not just under lid
Map/compass (in waterproof case)
Head torch/torch
Lightsticks with at least 1m of cord
Black bin bag (large)
Spare lighter/safety matches
Bergen cover (if you have one and it is not used)
Gloves and warm hat
Personal First aid Kit
The
items here are one that you may want very quickly for emergency or due to
weather changes without opening up your Bergen.
2. Under Lid Pocket – Light
Blue if you
have a pocket under the lid:
Spare Batteries for all your devices repair kit (duct tape, sewing kit,
electrical tape, zip ties)
If you don't have an under
lid pocket then put contents in a waterproof bag and put near top of main part
of Bergen or one of the side pockets.
3. Top of Bergen (either above or just below snow-lock but
under lid) – Light Green
Waterproof Jacket (if not worn or in top of Bergen)
Waterproof trousers/Gaiters
4. Top of Main Compartment – Orange
Food
- This needs to be in a separate bag if possible divided into each meal/day.
This will probably be the heaviest item in your Bergen if on multi day/week
trip.
5. Near Top Main Compartment – Dark Blue
Spare fuel for stove if necessary
Wash kit + Small towel
Each
Item is best if in its own bag to stop cross contamination. Keep any containers
upright to prevent spillage.
6. Middle Main Compartment –
Dark Green
Warm kit - Fleece/Jacket/jumper
Spare socks, underwear, T-shirt
Use
the clothing to level out parts of the bag and to bulk out the rucksack so as
to try and keep the main weight as high as possible on your back.
7. Bottom Main Compartment – Red
Sleeping Bag with Bivi bag (if available)
Here
is where to put your sleeping bag. It is best if you keep your sleeping bag
already in a bivi bag if you have one or a large bin bag / dry sack.
8. Very Bottom of Main Compartment – White
Spare Uniform
This
is kept in its own bag at the bottom of your Bergen it is to be used if you get
wet through or damage the kit you are wearing or for the last day when
travelling home for that cleaner smelling and smart(er) look!
9. Side Pocket 1 – Purple
Basha /Shelter kit
Cup
Brew Kit
Stove and small amount of fuel (if not in main bag)
Water bottle/canteen
This
kit is stuff that you may want to easily use without going into your main bag
and also kit that will be used early on in the setup of your camp. If you do
not have a Bergen lid pocket the contents noted in section 1 can go there.
10. Side Pocket/Space 2 – Grey
Roll mat
This
side is used for my roll matt. If you don’t have one (and you should!) I would
divide the contents of my other side pouch here to balance the Bergen up. And
attach the roll mat to the front of the Bergen
Here you will find all the kit lists that you'll need for camps and courses that you will be attending.
GREEN = Weekend training camp
YELLOW = Annual Camp
WEEKEND KIT / EQUIPMENT LIST
All issued ACF Clothing/Equipment
Sleeping bag
Boot Polish, Brushes,
Spare Laces & Trouser Twists
Small Torch & Spare
Batteries
Sewing Kit
Underwear including Socks
(For duration of Camp)
Civvies for NAAFI
Plastic Bags for dirty
Washing
Flip Flops for Shower
T – Shirt (Black or Green)
Dark Colour Waterproofs
(If owned)
Knife Fork Spoon & Mug
Water Bottle
Notebook & Pen /
Pencil
Small First Aid Kit
Towels (1 x Bath
Washing / Shaving Kit
Money for NAAFI (Max
£10.00)
Sports Kit including
Trainers and Spare Towel
Norwegian Shirt (If owned)
Spare warm clothes
Any medication
Small padlock with key +
SPARE KEY
Next of kin details and up to date contact number
ANNUAL CAMP KIT LIST
A: Expedition (all kit is necessary, required and will be checked, non-military if possible)
Small Washing kit (to include toothbrush, toothpaste, soap, towel)***
Bergan/Large Rucksack, (lined with liner/plastic bags/sealable freezer bags)
Water bottle/hydration sac (at least 1 x 1 litre)***
Walking kit:
- Trousers x 2 (walking trousers if possible)
- T-Shirts x 3 (max)
- Jumper x 1
- Underwear (at least one change per day)
- Socks (suitable for boots and at least one change per day)
- Warm hat & gloves (yes, even in August)
- Sunhat(baseball cap)/sunglasses/suncream
- Boots (military or civilian)
Waterproofs (trousers and jacket)
Knife, fork, spoon and plastic/thermal mug***
Note book, pen, pencil, eraser
Sleeping Bag***
Roll Mat
Tent (must be 2 skin)
Small personal first Aid Kit***
Small Torch***
Emergency Rations, Eg Mars Bar/Kendal Mint Cake
Cooker & mess tin or equivalent (if gas, must be self-sealing gas canister)***
Mobile phones will be wrapped in a plastic bag and sealed – you will fail if you use them during the expedition.
B: Exercise
Small Washing kit (can use the same as above)***
Small Boot cleaning kit
Webbing & Bergan
Waterbottle (can use the same as above)***
All ACF issued kit:
- MTP Shirts
- MTP Trousers
- MTP Jacket
- Beret and Bush Hat
- Belt
- Fleece
- Boots
Underwear (at least one change per day)
Socks (suitable for boots)
Waterproofs (military style not essential)
Knife, fork, spoon and plastic mug (can use the same as above)***
Note book, pen, pencil, eraser
Sleeping Bag (same as above)*** and bivvi bag
Small personal first Aid Kit (can use the same as above)***
Small Torch (can use the same as above)***
14. Emergency Rations, Eg Mars Bar/Kendal Mint Cake 15. Basha Poles
16. Roll Mat
17. Poncho
18. Bungees/string
19. Orders kit
20. Cooker & mess tin or equivalent (if gas, must be self-sealing gas canister)***
C: Other
21. Washing kit (to include toothbrush, toothpaste, soap, towel) 22. Boot cleaning kit
23. Footwear
- Civilian Shoes
- Training Shoes (suitable for PT)
- Slippers/Flip Flops (for use in accommodation)
24. Underwear (at least one change per day)
25. Socks (suitable for boots)
26. Civilian Clothing
27. Sports Kit – trainers, tracksuit, t-shirt (long sleeves/legs)
28. Sleeping Bag for accommodation (in addition to the exercise/expedition sleeping bag) 29. Small amount of spending money for sweets and drinks
30. Small amount of washing powder/tablets etc (washing machines are available on camp)
***Items in green can be the same for both kit lists***
