11th April 2015
Last week we managed to escape to Arctic Sweden for a wonderful week of ski touring. Once I find my camera I will put up some pictures and describe the mini adventure but I thought it would be helpful for me, and who knows maybe someone else, if I list the kit that I took. There were a few things that I would have liked but did not take (DNT) and some things I took but did not use (DNU). That doesn’t mean that they wouldn’t be used on a future trip. So here we go:
35-45L Rucksack Lowe Alpine AirZone Pro 35/45,
8 mm rope (10 m) plus small length of 6 mm rope to tow skis (which have 6 mm holes in the front) DNT
Folding saw. Very useful for fires and lighter than an axe. DNT
Shovel. Definitely essential.
Multitool. Leatherman Skeletool. Used a lot.
Matches Sun glasses DNT
Googles – surprisingly good. I used them a lot because I forgot my sun glasses. They did not mist at all and were comfy and warm.
Thermos with gaffer tape wrapped around. Essential when below 10 degrees to prevent water from freezing. Did not hold enough water for one person for a long day.
Water container. If above 10 degrees a light water container would be useful. I drink more in these cold fairly high environments than normal. Probably 750 ml a day plus coffee DNT
Compass, essential,
Thumb compass DNT but would have been really good. These are made by Silva. I will buy one immediately!
Asnes NATO combat skis. Performed well but I would love to master fast downhill stretches with them. Telemark skiing seems tricky to me.
Velcro strap for skis,
Poles Pole mirror (not yet invented but very handy to keep track on group),
Skins – NATO Combat skis take short skins directly under the boot.
Ski boots – Alpina
Gaiters DNT but Charlotte used hers a lot. I didn’t get too much snow down my boots but on colder weather they could be good.
Hut shoes (Merrel barefoots). Lightweight shoes that you can drive with serve dual a purpose as driving hire cars in ski boots is tricky.
2x Bridgedale liner socks,
3x Devold thick socks Merino,
Glide wax,
Two types sticky wax,
Cloudburst day sack 15L (if going on short day tours these lightweight sacks are perfect)
Food
Oranges – surprisingly good,
Decent coffee and means of brewing it.
S hook (Long one to fit shovel handle and be used to hold pot over fire),
Clothes
Devold Expedition merino top,
Devold Expedition merino zipper top,
Merino Long Johns,
Devold underwear,
Pro Gortex brace trousers Artyrex – brilliant piece of clothing but not cheap,
Gortex or Event shell jacket – Montane,
Rab belay jacket Pertex Endurance and Primaloft – crucial!
Rab Waistcoat Pertex Endurance and Primaloft DNU but it wasn’t so cold this year (last year it was minus 26),
Gortex mittens,
Lighter gloves – my hands overheat in conditions 0 to minus 10,
Spare mittens – they can blow away and people forget to bring them.
Merino Beanie,
Lowe Alpine peaked hat with ear flaps,
One wrap, double sided Velcro for general lashing.
Snood – cosy,
Credit card – one never knows,
Health Card,
Sun screen,
3x Compeed blister pack – crucial,
Down sleeping bag – to pack very small,
Blizard pack – for emergencies DNU,
Dyneema sling 2.4 m circumference – not sure why but we used it as a dog lead for Rafiki this year,
Tibloc DNU,
Side swing pulley DNU,
HMS Screwgate Karabiner,
Spirit Karabiner,
Lenser P5 torch – favourite torch,
3x AA Batteries DNU
Petzl TacTikka Headtorch – reliable even below 20 degrees,
6x batteries DNU,
Phone,
Phone charger,
Camera DMC-FT2,
Spare fully charged camera battery DNU,
Spork titanium DNT,
Plastic mug – bright orange to hang on the back of rucksack to help visibility in bad weather,
Coffee filter mug could be good DNT,
Diary or waterproof notepad plus pen (maybe waterproof) Handy for jotting down emergency phone numbers,
Needle and thread DNT,
Montane technical trousers – didn’t take on tour but great for airport transfers and general use,
Map,
Candle – can be used to wax skis if no glide wax is available.
Well I think that is everything but I expect I have missed something! The other thing to watch out for is that fellow members take adequate gear – especially water.
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