What to pack for THE OTTER TRAIL IN WINTER

In this video I go over all of the backpacking gear that I took on The Otter trail in July 2022. I was very happy with all of my gear choices. I would take some clothes pegs along next time for the washing lines.
#roughingitwithruth #hikingsouthafrica #theottertrail

[@chrisroche2007]

You are very well prepared

[@RoughingItWithRuth]

Thanks!

[@NorwayHikesTrails]

Nice video Ruth. Thank you for sharing 👍

[@RoughingItWithRuth]

Thanks!

[@ItsAStephanieB]

Thank you Ruth!! I'll definitely revisit this video.. 😊

[@RoughingItWithRuth]

Thanks Steph!

[@willemjansevanrensburg3273]

Good day Ruth, thank you for your all your videos, info and reviews! Really enjoy your content.
Did you buy that Snapbowl in South-Africa? If so from whom? It looks quite versatile since it doubles as a cutting board, which is super useful.
How has your experience with the Sea to Summit Spark 2 been? Is the temperature rating for the sleeping bag, as given by Sea to Summit, accurate?

[@RoughingItWithRuth]

Hi Willem! I bought the SnapFold Bowl in Japan; I haven't seen them for sale in South Africa. It is a really awesome bit of gear! I have been using the Sea to Summit Spark 2 on all of my backpacking trips since I purchased it, and I have been very happy with it. For the Otter it was absolutely fine in terms of warmth, but on other backpacking trips, I do usually combine it with the Mont Bell down blanket (snapped into the shape of a rectangular sleeping bag) to increase the warmth as I am quite a cold sleeper. I have been totally happy with this system so far.

[@emmanuelledingwane8263]

Nice content, please can you assist or advise how to get the dates? I want to do the Otter but struggling to get dates

[@RoughingItWithRuth]

Thanks! Yeah, it can be very hard to book The Otter as it is so popular. There are several things that you can try: check the SANParks website for the schedule detailing when bookings open (usually a year in advance), and check the booking system on their website often to catch cancellations early. Phoning SANParks can also help. You can also try the Facebook Group "Otter Trail". Other options are booking companies (such as Afritrails and Fagala Voet) that block book dates and re-sell them on their own websites.

[@emmanuelledingwane8263]

@@RoughingItWithRuth thank you. Will do...

[@Sir_Chuckmyster]

Awesome. What was your backpack weight when you started? Mine was 16kg last year which was comfortable for the Otter

[@RoughingItWithRuth]

I can't remember exactly, but I think it was around 12.5kg with food and water.

[@rolandnaicker3398]

Hi Ruth. So everything in the video packed up was about 12.5kg?