Equipment
The expedition, while in the end coming down to pure human endurance and fortitude would just not be possible without some key pieces of equipment.
The team is travelling with a massive range of gear. From laptops, video cameras, satellite phone, drybags, stove and first-aid to personal river clothing, BGAN, GPS, tents, sleeping bags and much, much more.
Below you will find a selection of this equipment:
- ARK Nile KN300
- Fluid Solo Expedition Kayak
- WRSI Current
- SteriPEN™ Adventurer Handheld Water Purifier
- Teva Sunkosi
- Viosport Adventure H2O cam
- Kokatat Rogue Dry Top
- First Ascent Summit Jacket
- Garmin GPSMAP 60CSx
- Suunto Vector
- Thrane & Thrane Explorer 500 BGAN
- Zeal Optics Maestro
- Benchmade 100SH2O
ARK Nile KN300:
A custom-manufactured raft from the NILE KN. series. The team wanted a fast and manoeuvrable craft that could still handle high-volume water. This customised ARK raft has been designed to effectively deal with the technical nature of the Apurimac & still go all the way on grade 5 high flow whitewater . ARK made it really buoyant, and gave it a long nose and a well-kicked bow that radically reduces the waterline drag in quiet water, while giving it the effect of a longer boat in the whitewater!
The result: improved performance all round.
The KN. series are fast, manoeuvrable inflatables that remain totally predictable at all times. This boat will be the team’s home for close to 6 months. Following the whitewater, the raft is fitted with an oar-frame for the long flat water row. This boat is sweet!
Fluid Solo Expedition Kayak:
The Solos have been tested over a year period by various Fluid team paddlers (and also some novices and intermediates) on 3 continents and one island (New Zealand). The Solo prototypes have been put through their paces on everything from super low volume runs and rock slides to big volume creeks, steep and continuous runs, a variety of waterfalls, overnight trips and full-on expeditions. When all the testing was done, the Solos went through 5 distinct prototype stages.
The Solos feature semi displacement hulls, with soft enough rails to keep even the most conservative paddler happy. They turn on a dime, carve like demons and boof on command. Responsiveness and speed is what they’re made for. The rocker profile assist in stability when landing drops, and keeps you going where most boats will stall and backender. The decks are slightly peaked for controllable resurfacing without loosing speed. The perfectly distributed volume keeps you on top of the funny water, making class 5 creeks safer and more fun.
For non-kayakers that equates to what might be termed - a sweet ride! Scotty will use the boat for safety and also to get the best shots he can of the team bombing class 5 in the raft.
WRSI Current:
The WRSI ‘Current’ helmet, on the leading edge of development, is a superior multi-impact helmet primarily for use in a non-motorized water environment. In simple terms, that translates to the safest whitewater helmet ever built! WRSI are an awesome company. Not only have they outfitted the team in the best helmets around but they are just great people.
Each and every helmet has under the peak, the name – Lucas Turner molded in. Lucas, a gun kayaker and his untimely death was the inspiration for the production of this helmet. The expedition is honoured to have them on board for the journey.
SteriPEN™ Adventurer Handheld Water Purifier:
The Adventurer is half the size of the SteriPEN Classic. Because it’s fast (48 seconds for 16 ounces), light (under 110g/4 oz), easy and effective, it’s perfect for hikers and campers who value powerful products in small packages with no loss of effectiveness. Adventurer is especially effective against common protozoa like Cryptosporidium. Its optional solar charging case let’s you go off the grid—way off.
This piece of kit is sweet! The Steripen Adventurer will allow us to quickly and easily purify large amounts of water on the go. Ideal for when we are just so knackered that all we want to do is sleep.
Teva Sunkosi:
This shoe, along with the Teva Karnali Wraptor will be a near permanent fixture on our feet throughout the expedition. Whether its portaging some hell on earth rapid or venturing into a village for supplies you can bet a pair of Teva’s will be there too!
Equally at home in the water as it is on the trail, the Sunkosi redefines amphibious footwear. They drain well and provide a secure and stable fit. This newest member of the Teva Pro series provides dependable performance in any kind of outdoor environment (and they make us look well cool!).
Viosport Adventure H2O cam:
This unremarkable looking piece of kit delivers footage so close to the action you can actually see the adrenalin pumping through our veins! Fixed to a helmet, the H2O cam is used for awesome whitewater shots, as well as footage from high in the Andes and throughout the jungle.
This cam is fully waterproof and ideal for river and torrential weather recording.
Kokatat Rogue Dry Top:
The new standard in dry tops is the Kokatat Rogue. The team will benefit from the blend of four different GORE-TEX® laminates: IMMERSION® Technology in the main body, XCR® side panels and inner skirt for breathability and a new Cordura® GORE-TEX® in the shoulders and elbows make the Rogue the most durable dry top available.
Along with our Kokatat Ronin Pro life vests and Long John wetsuits, this piece of kit makes taking on glacier-melt rapids high in the mountains a piece of cake! (well…a whole lot more comfortable anyway).
First Ascent Summit Jacket:
This high performance waterproof/windproof shell from our good friends at First Ascent is the ultimate piece of kit! It keeps us shielded from snow and ice high in the Andes mountains and completely dry against monsoon rain trekking through the dense jungle of the Amazon Basin.
This jacket has been to Antarctica, around Africa on a bike and down the shops on a rainy day. Waterproof zips, great ventilation and a bomb-proof outer fabric make the Summit one of the team’s favourite and most dependable bits of gear.
Garmin GPSMAP 60CSx:
Garmin has provided the expedition with the GPSMAP 60CSx - a waterproof, rugged GPS unit that is packed with features. It includes a removable microSD card, USB connectivity, highly sensitive GPS receiver, electronic compass, colour display and a whole lot more.
This GPS allows the team to accurately position themselves high in the mountains, deep in the jungle and while navigating a myriad of channels in the Lower Amazon. It also comes into its own when the team uploads their position to the expedition website map, allowing users to follow the journey with absolute accuracy.
Geographical embarrassment is not an option with Garmin on board.
Suunto Vector:
Suunto Vector is truly an instrument that you cannot leave home when planning any kind of outdoor activity. Hiking, climbing, off piste skiing all share one common feature in order to practice them safely, you need accurate, real-time information about the surroundings. And this is where Suunto Vector, a versatile device that it is, delivers.
Regardless whether you are climbing mountains, riding a muddy bike track, or skiing off piste or indeed making a rapid descent of Class V whitewater, Suunto Vector will not let you down even in the toughest of the tough situations. It combines an altimeter, barometer, and an electronic compass with all the features of a sophisticated sports watch.
Thrane & Thrane Explorer 500 BGAN:
Explorer 500 adds high-speed data transmission to phone and fax capabilities via satellite. Particularly useful in remote areas outside terrestrial or cellular coverage, this mobile terminal is an ideal link to the world wherever you are.
Essentially a BGAN terminal with integral antenna, Explorer 500 comes complete with compass for antenna orientation and display for basic functionality. Simply enter your PIN and point the antenna to make and receive phone and fax calls, or even read SMS. Hooking up a data device allows you to manage your phone book, messages and calls, and customize the terminal to your specific needs.
- Simultaneous voice and data communications over BGAN
- High-speed data transfer up to 432 kbps
- Seamless global coverage
- Support for streaming IP at 32, 64, 128, 256 kbps
- Standard LAN, USB, Bluetooth and phone/fax interfaces
- Easy system setup and operation
- Lightweight, splash and dust proof design
- Robust, reliable and durable design
Zeal Optics Maestro:
The Zeal Optics’ Maestro uses its new ZB-13 sepia polarized polycarbonate lenses to up depth perception, intensify contrast, sharpen edges, and perform masterfully in so many light conditions that you’d think they were photochromic (the kind that adjust to brightness). However the lenses don’t change—they’re just incredibly versatile, as is the Maestro in general.
All this means that whether the team is trekking in the mountains or bombing class V Amazon, they are wearing the best performance shades around.
Benchmade 100SH2O:
The Benchmade 100SH2O is a simple but functional river knife with a super stainless X15T.N steel blade that has a blunt tip to prevent injury. The Yellow Kydex handle will stick out if lost, and the Kydex sheath won’t hold in moisture, helping to keep the blade of the 100SH2O rust free. A lash tab is attached to the sheath for carry.
This knife is attached to PFDs for use in emergency situation that may arise on river. They are a key piece of expedition kit, essential for survival. This is the best river knife available and the team is proud to carry it.
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