What do you wear/carry when Planning or Controlling?

[Freefall]

When I go out into the forest (or moor) to plan or control I generally end up running around a bit as well as walking in circles to check control sites. Over the years, starting at the feet, my preferences for what to wear have come out something like this:
O shoes
Waterproof sealskinz socks
Not the normal running tights - winter weight Ron Hills
Smelly Helly
Light fleece top with chest pocket (had a Mountain Equipment Ultrafleece favourite that unfortunately took one barbed wire fence too many)
Small rucksack with mobile, pens, windshirt or cag depending on forecast, whistle (who to?), compass, electricians tape (green and yellow or red), penknife, small water bottle and energy bar, poly bag with map, buff

Any improvements, additions or suggestions?

[Gross]

Being an ex Scout I like being prepared.... big rucksack, tent, sleeping bag I consider as essentials when venturing into the countryside on my own.....

[frog]

Similar list to freefall, except also piece of paper to write notes on, presume you've just forgotten to list that. Also mobile phone, and the last few times I did planning it was very snowy so wellies not o shoes and waterproof trousers as I ended up in snow storms a couple of times. Coffee in flask, sandwiches. Head torch as it always takes longer than you think.
Tend to be dressed more for walking than running so like these http://www.rab.uk.com/clothing/vapour-r ... ants---92/
as trousers.
I'm probably thinking more about planning our ill fated Dalguise event last year though. When I did our Easter event at a Perth wood I wore o shoes and tracksters. I could cycle round much of that as well.

[DJM]

I'm not good at writing on damp paper with cold fingers so I always carry a pocket-sized tape recorder* and make verbal "notes" instead.

* would be some sort of digital device if I had to replace it nowadays

[madmike]

Best controllers tip I was given (by KatyS) on the G2 controllers course was to record voice notes DJM - I recommend this approach to everyone. I am intending to take it a step further at the next event I am controlling by using my headcam and microphone when visiting control sites!

Back to original question from Freefall:

It depends:

on weather/area/my familiarity with area; it can just be a roll of tape, pen and map, or on the other hand, more kit than Scott of the Antartic!

[frog]

voice recorder is good idea. I use one at work all the time but hadn't thought of carrying one.

[Monte]

Additions to the Freefall list:
I prepare control tag tapes in advance - numbered, initialled and stuck on the surface of a polybag for peeling off when required. A small pair of scissors is kept in my rucksack in case any more need to be prepared.
A few pieces of red and white barrier tape - for marking possible fence crossing points, proposed taped routes or other features that may require discussion and where the usual tape (as for a control tag) would be difficult to spot.
Usual O-stuff like hat, gloves, elastoplasts, blister pads, Savlon, (midge repellent if likely to be required).
Copies of permissions letters for those occasions when you meet the gamekeeper or the police.

[graeme]

GPS gives you a good back-up check as to either whether where you were is really where you thought you were or whether where the map said you were is really where you were. (This tip brought to you by Donald Rumsfeld)

[Spookster]

GPS is also a quick way of checking whether you are now (on the day of the event, when checking controls) in exactly the same place as you were when you checked the tags several weeks earlier, before they got covered by snow, eaten by sheep or blown away by the wind.

[frog]

If woody area not used for a while then also take secateurs +/- pruning saw for clearing the area around the control and getting rid of any eye level twigs, plus easing routes likely to be taken by white/ yellow.

[AndyC]

I've been using fabric labels I "liberated" from a closing office as tags -advantage is that they can be written on and are near indestructable - disadvantage is that they are near indestructable. When controlling (actually with Freefall as planner) two years after planning an event on the same area I found some still in place and readable - makes it vital that you make sure that they are removed with the controls -not always easy to ensure and especially if, like Freefall and me, you sometimes tag extra sites in case someone like the FC makes areas OOB at the last minute and you have to make late changes.
I also carry a extending walking stick when planning/controlling -collapsed it takes up no space acrosss my back pack but when you find yourself alone at the bottom of a slope too slippy to climb its spike gives you a chance of getting traction to get up (when putting controls out it is replaced by a stake if needed) -clearly that control may not be used in the event if that is the only/obvious route in/out

[Gross]

Final controlling or planning..... O shoes, map & compass

[Freefall]

I was out today planning for the Northern Championships. Temperature was -5 and the green and yellow electricians tape I was using to mark controls (maybe not so good for the spring!) was splitting in the cold. I will look at some of the suggestions above - on the moor little sticks with tape might have been better than scrabbling around to find a bit of vegetation. Are red tags better or is that potentially a colour blind issue? Sticky fluorescent orange would be good if I could find it.

I had on a Polartec gilet I got free at some show as well as my new (price reduced) softshell from Montane which has lots of useful pockets.

Snowshoes would have helped!

[madmike]

And of course when you are planning 4 whites and 4 yellows in the Autumn in a beech/hornbeam forest - you carry a witch's broom!

[DaveK]

I was out today planning for the Northern Championships. Temperature was -5 and the green and yellow electricians tape I was using to mark controls (maybe not so good for the spring!) was splitting in the cold. I will look at some of the suggestions above - on the moor little sticks with tape might have been better than scrabbling around to find a bit of vegetation. Are red tags better or is that potentially a colour blind issue? Sticky fluorescent orange would be good if I could find it.

I had on a Polartec gilet I got free at some show as well as my new (price reduced) softshell from Montane which has lots of useful pockets.

Snowshoes would have helped!

I use bamboo canes cut to 12 inch lengths; with a strip of both red and white electrical tape wrapped round at the top (a method suggested by a Controller friend). Seems to stand out fairly well (except in foot deep snow of course).