Expedition FAQ’s

Each of our expeditions have a dedicated kit list for you to use and tick off as you pack. If you’d like a little more guidance, we have a Participant Expedtion Guide, which contains lots of useful hints and tips which you might find useful. The kit list will also let you know what is provided for you by No Limits, but as a general rule of thumb we provide all the group equipment and you provide your personal equipment.

All open expeditions have the option to add on participant kit hire, which is really handy if you’re travelling on public transport or flying, as it massively reduces what you need to pack. The participant kit hire includes the following:

• Expedition Rucksack and Waterproof Liner
• Waterproof Trousers and Jacket
• Sleeping Bag and Mat
• Compass and Whistle
• Headtorch and Spare Batteries
• Water bottles, Bowl, Plate. Mug and Cutlery
• Matches and Washing Up Kit

If its just a single item you’re missing, or are unsure of what something is please get in touch with us and we’ll do our best to help.

Your expedition kit list has a handy meal planner on letting you know what meals you need to bring, and our Participant Expedtion Guide has some great hints and tips on what food is suitable. If you’re stuck for ideas or want some advice feel free to give us a call or email.

Each expedition team will have two Trangia stoves (except for our bushcraft trips where they will use open fires), these each have two small pans and a frying pan. For some hints and tips on what cooks well (and not so well!) on expedition stoves, see our participant expedition guide.

As part of the DofE Expedition requirements you will need to be ‘self sufficient’ – this means having all the supplies required to care for and feed your team without outside intervention. Unfortunately, this means takeaways and pub meals are out of the question for the qualifying parts of expeditions. Where there is the chance to eat out as part of the training or R&R parts of our trips, our itinerary will let you know.

Where water isn’t available at campsites we will provide all the equipment and training to help you source freshwater suitable for cooking and drinking.

Yes – All our open expeditions have the option to add on an expedition meal package. This package will contain all the main meals you need as well as a snack and treats for each day. You might want to bring along a couple of your favourite treats to add to this, but essentially it will provide everything you need whilst away.

We will send you a menu 8 weeks prior to the expedition to check dietary requirements and preferences.

Many of our participants find this a great option when using public transport or flying to an expedition, it really reduces the bulk and weight of what you need to bring with you.

We will always do our best to accommodate this – we just ask that you let us know in advance so we can have a chat about it’s suitability. We’d hate to see you carrying a heavy or unsuitable item unnecessarily! Likewise, where it’s safety critical (such as a buoyancy aid or canoe) our team may just need to run through a quick few safety questions with you to ensure it’s up to current standards.

For walking expeditions in mountainous areas, 99% of the time, yes! Whilst they may not look the coolest, the extra grip and support they provide makes all the difference when carrying a heavy rucksack off the beaten track.  We do want you to be comfortable and happy so if you have a reason that’s stopping you be able to wear boots, get in touch with us and we can help.

Our most important advice when it comes to boots is to know they fit and are comfortable before you leave home. If you buy a new pair or have borrowed some from a friend, wear them around the house and for a local walk to be sure they aren’t going to rub and they are comfortable before coming away.

Whilst our kit list is comprehensive, if you think of something you may need that we have missed by all means bring it along. Things that are not on our standard list but people sometimes bring are:

• Camping/ Inflatable Pillows, playing cards, paperback books, make up, frisbees, twister, midge head nets, hand cream, drawing pad, team flags and teddy bears

None of these items are silly nor are they “must haves” but some of them may make you happier. Essentially, it’s a compromise of how much space you have in your bag and how heavy it might be. We can always leave any excess kit you change your mind about in the expedition support vehicle. Just think, if you can’t fit it in your bag or carry it here, how are you going to carry it around the expedition!

Most items you need to bring are things you are likely to already have or are able to borrow; there is no need to have the latest top of the range kit. If there are things you need to buy, make sure you look around to buy “preloved” items on Vinted, eBay and Marketplace, or even in local charity shop. Ask around family and friends, maybe they have the rucksack they bought for their DofE.

The most important items to consider are your waterproofs and footwear, these being of a reasonable quality and fit will make a huge difference, but this does not have to come at a great price.

We are very keen to make the outdoors accessible to all, so if this is a worry for you, please get in touch so we can help.

Yes, you’re welcome to bring your mobile phone along provided you use it as agreed with your instructors. Please bear in mind you’ll be responsible for keeping it dry and safe throughout the expedition; we’d recommend a waterproof case and powerpack.

We would encourage you to embrace the independence and isolation of the expedition. We also can’t promise you will have reception in all our expedition areas. If there is an urgent need to phone home for a specific reason our instructors will always have a method of communication with the outside world and will do their best to help.

We would encourage you to allow the participants to embrace the independence and isolation of the expedition and due to the lack of reception in some expedition areas we can’t promise you’ll always be able to get in touch directly with your child. All emergency contacts and parents will have a contact number for the Duty Operations Manager who can answer any questions. Where appropriate they will be able to speak to the expedition team and if urgently required put you in contact with your child as soon as we can.

On expedition you will be required to be independent of external assistance, so no there will not be anywhere to charge your phone. Our instructors will work with your team to create a plan that allows your team to manage phone batteries, so you always have a means of contacting help. If you intend to use your phone for more than just emergency calls i.e. assisting you with your expedition aim, then you may wish to bring along a power pack.

We will absolutely do our best to accommodate requests such as this! Whilst expeditions are all about independence and often isolation, a life event such as this is too big to miss. If you speak to us in advance we’ll put in place a plan to do our best to help!

No Limits Development is a leading provider of DofE Expeditions, and one of the first providers to become accredited as an Approved Activity Provider (AAP). We have an excellent reputation for delivering high quality expeditions that stretch and challenge students to their full potential. We pride ourselves on the quality of our staff, all of whom are highly qualified and experienced outdoor professionals. All of our staff hold relevant national governing body qualifications, current first aid qualification, and DBS checks. Paired with their personal and professional experience, this allows them to deliver the safest and most engaging experience possible. As an organisation we are also AALA registered, and our safety systems and procedures match and exceed industry standards.

Our instructor’s aim is to mentor you throughout your expedition and keep you safe in a way that matches your confidence and skill level. We would always aim to get to a point where we remotely supervise you, leaving you alone as a team to independently journey and make your own decisions, but there are times when perhaps an element of the expedition involves bigger decision or risk (such as a rapid on a river, or high winds on a mountain summit) where we may need to change to a more direct method of supervision to keep you safe.

All our instructors are experienced and qualified first aiders, they will assess the situation and work with participants to make an appropriate plan. For minor illnesses and injuries the instructors will be equipped to deal with these.  For more serious illnesses or injuries all expeditions have plans in place to be able to safely and easily take participants to minor injuries or a pharmacy for minor external assistance that will hopefully fix the problem allowing them to continue with the expedition. In the event of a more serious incident, No Limits has in place extensive support and plans to deal with serious incidents or evacuations requiring emergency services.

In the event that a participant is too unwell to continue with the planned trip our team will ensure that the young person gets to a place of comfort and safety continuing their care. The participant emergency contact will be called to arrange collection or travel home.

At the heart of our ethos and vision is adventurous experiences that are accessible for all. Whatever your need, get in touch with us and we can discuss how we can accommodate you!