To start off your adventure with NUS Rover, other Adventure Clubs or even with your friends, there are a few things that everyone has to note. For logistics wise, if you are trekking with us, the stores are complimentary. It would be the same for other adventure clubs as well. If you are organising a trek by yourself with some friends, NUS Rovers do provide logistic support on a Temporary Loan basis. The pricelist of items could be obtained by emailing us at nusrovers@gmail.com.
So what items are essential to bring along for your adventure? Here’s a general list, and certainly, this is exhaustive and different treks, with different terrains, will require different sets of equipment.
The MUST HAVE and MUST DO!
- Ensure that your passport is with at least six months validity and make 2 photocopies of it, which one will be passed to us for safe keeping in Singapore.
- Singaporean guys, who have not RODed, please ensure that you get an exit-permit if required. Exit permits can be applied here www.ns.sg; for foreigners, please do ensure you have a valid Visa for overseas travel.
- A good backpack. For guys, as you will be required to carry tents and other stores, please do have a backpack of at least 50L. Rain covers for the bags are optional but it’s a good to have in the event of rain.
- Cash of around RM50 should be more than enough for your necessary expenses such as meals. You can leave your wallet in SG. You could bring along your credit card if you want to shop, but there aren’t many shopping places in kampongs.
- Trekking attire – Loose t-shirts and shorts would be the most comfortable. Avoid jeans as it would be very uncomfortable and hindering your movements. Apply generous amounts of insect repellent on your exposed skin to keep the mozzies away.
- Trekking footwear – Shoes with good traction are recommended. Personally, I would recommend sandals with good tractions. TEVA is good but rather costly. Overland is relatively cheaper and good as well. For those who are one time trekker or those who doesn’t trek on a regular basis, the SAF sandals would suffice.
- Bring the recommended sets of clothes in our packing list. It’s always good to bring extras. The feeling of wearing a soil and wet undergarment is certainly “Gao wei” (uncomfortable).
- Water is a must! You have to hydrate yourself along the trek. There will be rivers where water could be filled but I know everyone would prefer to drinking clean water.
- Water proofing your backpack and belongings. How could it be done? You just need to use a normal trash bag to line the internal of your backpack before you place your belongings, which are all placed in ziplock bags. The heavy duty ziplock bags could be bought at reasonable prices at the Army Market (On top of Golden Mile Food Centre).
- Utensils
- Can opener
- Insect repellent / patches – To keep off the mozzies. Salt solutions could be used to dislodge the blood sucking leeches.
- Powder for dry bathing. For those who are new to this, this act of bathing is fairly simple. You just need to undress yourself and apply the powder liberally to the desired areas and you are done! With this, you could master the ancient art of Geisha make up.
- Small towel and toiletries. It’s for your own comfort; however, not all treks have access to water. Usually, you will get to shower at the end of the trek at communal toilets at the base of trekking areas.
- Personal medication. We will be bringing our own First-aid kit for the trek and we will have committee members who are First-aiders. They will tend to you if you are injured.
- Torchlight with batteries
- Lighter
- Trash bags or plastic bags. These are needed to dispose your rubbish. Keep the environment clean!
The GOOD TO HAVE!
- Happy food- Food that makes you happy. Pringles, Snicker bars, jellies etc.
- Sun cap / hat / shades
- Camera – Be trigger happy during treks. You will regret it if you weren’t when you start to have withdrawal symptoms of the treks.
- Sleeping bag, windbreaker and track pants (it could get cold at night)
- Slippers / sandals for use when not trekking (trekking footwear will be wet)
- Pocket Knife a.k.a Swiss Army knife – It will come in handle when you need to cut twine or any other stuff.
- Notebook / Pen
- Playing Cards
- Mosquito Coil
With your equipment, and most importantly an open mind for adventure, you are all set for your trip!!!