Miscellaneous equipment:
For hiking:
- 1 pair of hiking boots (with a waterproof and breathable membrane, such as Gore-Tex or equivalent) that fit you well! It's important to break in new boots before hiking by wearing them for a few weeks beforehand to avoid blisters and chafing.
- 1 (or even 2) pairs of sunglasses with lenses of category 3 minimum
- 1 large, sturdy plastic bag for wrapping clothes and belongings in the backpack (in case of heavy rain)
- 1 insulated water bottle of at least 1 liter. Drinking is essential when hiking; 2 water bottles of 1 to 1.5 liters each will be very useful in summer and/or in hot, dry regions.
- 1 Swiss Army knife-type folding knife + cutlery + cup
- 1 Tupperware-type bowl with lid for picnics
- toilet paper, tissues
- 1 pair of telescopic poles, optional, but they help with balance and reducing body weight on descents, and assist on ascents by setting a rhythm and providing additional propulsion.
- compass (recommended)
- 1 pouch to hold your documents and valuables: passport or identity card, insurance contract, health insurance card, vaccination certificate, plane tickets, train tickets, credit card, money...)
- 1 small personal first-aid kit (Note: This list is not exhaustive and should be adapted to your own medical needs): pre-cut sterile bandages, topical antiseptic for external use (wounds), Elastoplast and/or blister plasters, paracetamol-type analgesic, antidiarrheal and intestinal antiseptic, antispasmodic, antihistamine (allergies), saline solution or eye drops, mild sleeping pill, high-protection sunscreen for skin and lips, moisturizing cream such as Biaffine (sunburn and burns), mosquito repellent cream or spray, Arnica Montana 9 CH granules (for aches and pains)...
Luggage :
- 1 backpack of 30 to 35 L with ventilated back, adjustable and equipped with a waist belt, capable of holding the day's food, water bottle, protective clothing, camera...
- 1 soft-sided travel bag (hard-sided suitcases not permitted) to hold a change of clothes for the week, to be given to the carriers. Important! Only one bag per person, not exceeding 10 kg. Any excess baggage may be refused or subject to additional charges by the local carriers.
For the stage
- 1 flashlight or headlamp
- 1 pair of lightweight sandals
For hiking
- For maximum comfort, opt for a "multi-layer" clothing system: warm underwear (tights + jersey) of the "carline" or "capilène" type (hollow fibers wicking away perspiration) + sweatshirt or fleece jacket + mountain jacket and overpants with a waterproof and breathable membrane (such as "gore tex" or equivalent) for bad weather.
In general, and outside of hot climates and countries, avoid cotton which retains moisture close to the body (and dries with difficulty) in favor of suitable synthetic materials.
- Canvas trousers - Shorts - T-shirts
- 3 pairs of hiking socks
- 1 rain poncho covering the hiker and backpack. If you have highly technical clothing (see above), you can use a rain cover for just the backpack. An umbrella, however, is less practical, especially in windy or stormy conditions.
- 1 sun hat, ideally a safari-style cap with a visor and neck protection
- 1 scarf to protect oneself from the sun and/or wind
- 1 hat and 1 pair of gloves, depending on the season and altitude: always keep them at the bottom of your bag
For the stage
- change of clothes and comfortable shoes
- "Quies" earplugs or "Ear" earplugs
- basic toiletries + towel + swimsuit
Overall, your clothing should be adapted according to the season and the region chosen.