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Mattresses

The lightest and most comfortable of the insulation mats are Cascade Designs’ Z-Rest and Ridgerest. Inflatables are greatly at risk from thorns and thistles. Protect your expensive mattress with a piece of tough polythene DPM (damp-proof membrane) undersheet (from any builders’ suppliers). This also works as a shower and washing mat and, supported with rocks, makes a bowl for clothes washing (do not contaminate any water trough with soap).

Tents

In rocky terrain, the more self-supporting your tent, the more convenient it is likely to be.

‘Bivi’ bags

On two-day treks – with one overnight out – a non-breathable polythene survival bag will do. On longer range treks you need a breathable ‘bivi’ bag. Camping with a ‘bivi’ bag in the rain is not easy – an umbrella is useful. You will view a squalid mitato interior, overhang or cave in a new light if mist and rain sets in for three days.

Cooking stoves

You cannot take gas cylinders (or liquid fuel of any sort) on an aircraft. Small gas stoves that take the fixed, non-valved 190g gas cylinders are popular throughout Greece. Greek-manufactured cylinders are available in remote places, and Camping Gaz supplies are available in towns. Valved (removable and resealable) gas cylinders are less readily available. Those made by Camping Gaz are found in some Inka supermarkets and sometimes at Ay. Roumeli (perhaps to suit the nearby informal campsite). One 190g gas cylinder is reckoned to last for about 2hrs 30mins, but this depends on conditions – use a windshield. Three slim-profile stoves grouped together are good for melting snow in a large pan. Practise cylinder changing in advance of your trip. Carry a ‘last resort’ set of matches encased with their striker in a waterproof container. Shepherds will be amused if you forget matches or lighter – they get caught out themselves.