Arne L.
Thru Hiker
It's been a while since I've been to the Pyrenees (2015) and I've never been relatively 'late' in the season.
Obviously, all will come down to the weather. Last year I had a heatwave in the Chartreuse mid september & the year before it was snowing in the Ecrins.
Technically, the season should last somewhat longer in the Pyrenees since the huts are open longer then most in the Alps (and the fact it's slightly more southern based... or is that just wishful thinking?)
Anyway, this is the kit I use for 3 season & beyond. It's pretty tried & true but always open to suggestions, alternatives, add-ons or leave-at-home-because-you-won't-need-thems.
There's some new articles that I'd like to try but not really sure if the HRP is the best testing ground.
I'm not that ultralight & I don't really weigh my gear. Oops?
Backpack
SWD Long Haul 40
Z-packs cuben liner
Sleeping
Tent: MSR Hubba HP
Stakes:4 groundhogs, 4 mini groundhogs, 2 ti skewers
Quilt: Vaude Alpstein 450 quilt (new) / GramXpert custom eLite quilt with Apex 200 (was a bit chilly with this on the second part of the CWT but then again it was -5°C)
Pad: Exped Synmat HL MW
Pillow: STS Aeros UL pillow L
Clothing worn
Hat: Patagonia Duckbill or a Ciele
Baselayer: some shirt
Shorts: Patagonia baggies
Boxers: Saxx
Socks: Defeet Aireator (since 2014!)
Shoes: Merrel All Out Blaze Aero Sport. Prefer Hoka One One or Altra but these were cheap and fit well. Vibram sole as well
Sunglasses
Clothing packed
Baselayer: Patagonia Thermal weight crew (for sleeping)
Fleece: TNF 1/4 100 (added kangaroo-pouch + hood)
Windshell: Rab Vital
Rainjacket: Colombia Outdry Featherweight
Mid layer: MH Ghost Whisperer / Cumulus Incredilite / custom GramXpert Apex 100 jacket (not really sure what to bring here. I think the GW might be too cold)
Baselayer: Patagonia thermal weight bottoms (might leave at home in favour of the wind pants? Never thought my legs are cold but been using these on every trip since 2017)
Wind pants: As Tucas Millaris
Rainpants: Borah Gear (seam taping is coming undone, might swap out for a rain skirt but I don't like the idea of a rain skirt)
Spare socks: Defeet Aireator
Sleeping socks: some thick Stance socks
Might bring a cheap fleece balaclava in case I bring the down quilt
Gloves: Powerstretch gloves
Kitchen
Soto Amicus + 100 gram canister
Pot: Evernew 600ml (I just boil water, pot also works to drink tea in the morning)
Bamboo spoon
Lighter/matches in case piezo fails
Victorinox classic
Hydration
Katadyn Befree
1L plastic bottle
Evernew 1.5L soft bottle (for camp mostly)
Bathroom
Soap
Deuce of Spades
Toilet paper
Hand sanitizer
Some meds
Ear plugs
Sun screen
DEET
Packtowl that weighs 18 grams (I weighed it, I really did)
All packed in a ziploc
Navigation
Garmin Forerunner 945 (has maps + GPX)
Garmin Inreach Mini (also has GPX but mostly used to communicate with GF)
A paper map (1:50 000, Carte de Randonnées nr. 3, good for the entire trip)
Compass: Suunto A10
Electronics (oooops...)
Sony A6000 + Sigma 16mm f1.4 (only taking one prime makes photography a lot simpler)
iPhone 8
Earbuds
Battery pack: Anker Powercore 10000
Wall plug: Anker 4-port-USB
2 spare batteries for camera + charger
Cables: for Inreach, watch & phone (camera uses same cable as Inreach)
Flashlight: Fenix LD02 (since 2014!)
Spare lithium AAA for flashlight
All packed in a ziploc
I presume I won't be needing any hardware (ice axe, crampons).
Stuff sacks: a STS Ultrasil 18L daypack as foodbag for the day(comes in handy on the train), STS pump bag for the rest of the food and a silnylon 9L stuff sack for the tent.
Normally I take a hiking pole but since my shelter doesn't require one and I haven't used poles in the last year, it seems useless taking one.
No spare boxershort
Suggestions welcome! Thanks in advance.
Obviously, all will come down to the weather. Last year I had a heatwave in the Chartreuse mid september & the year before it was snowing in the Ecrins.
Technically, the season should last somewhat longer in the Pyrenees since the huts are open longer then most in the Alps (and the fact it's slightly more southern based... or is that just wishful thinking?)
Anyway, this is the kit I use for 3 season & beyond. It's pretty tried & true but always open to suggestions, alternatives, add-ons or leave-at-home-because-you-won't-need-thems.
There's some new articles that I'd like to try but not really sure if the HRP is the best testing ground.
I'm not that ultralight & I don't really weigh my gear. Oops?
Backpack
SWD Long Haul 40
Z-packs cuben liner
Sleeping
Tent: MSR Hubba HP
Stakes:4 groundhogs, 4 mini groundhogs, 2 ti skewers
Quilt: Vaude Alpstein 450 quilt (new) / GramXpert custom eLite quilt with Apex 200 (was a bit chilly with this on the second part of the CWT but then again it was -5°C)
Pad: Exped Synmat HL MW
Pillow: STS Aeros UL pillow L
Clothing worn
Hat: Patagonia Duckbill or a Ciele
Baselayer: some shirt
Shorts: Patagonia baggies
Boxers: Saxx
Socks: Defeet Aireator (since 2014!)
Shoes: Merrel All Out Blaze Aero Sport. Prefer Hoka One One or Altra but these were cheap and fit well. Vibram sole as well
Sunglasses
Clothing packed
Baselayer: Patagonia Thermal weight crew (for sleeping)
Fleece: TNF 1/4 100 (added kangaroo-pouch + hood)
Windshell: Rab Vital
Rainjacket: Colombia Outdry Featherweight
Mid layer: MH Ghost Whisperer / Cumulus Incredilite / custom GramXpert Apex 100 jacket (not really sure what to bring here. I think the GW might be too cold)
Baselayer: Patagonia thermal weight bottoms (might leave at home in favour of the wind pants? Never thought my legs are cold but been using these on every trip since 2017)
Wind pants: As Tucas Millaris
Rainpants: Borah Gear (seam taping is coming undone, might swap out for a rain skirt but I don't like the idea of a rain skirt)
Spare socks: Defeet Aireator
Sleeping socks: some thick Stance socks
Might bring a cheap fleece balaclava in case I bring the down quilt
Gloves: Powerstretch gloves
Kitchen
Soto Amicus + 100 gram canister
Pot: Evernew 600ml (I just boil water, pot also works to drink tea in the morning)
Bamboo spoon
Lighter/matches in case piezo fails
Victorinox classic
Hydration
Katadyn Befree
1L plastic bottle
Evernew 1.5L soft bottle (for camp mostly)
Bathroom
Soap
Deuce of Spades
Toilet paper
Hand sanitizer
Some meds
Ear plugs
Sun screen
DEET
Packtowl that weighs 18 grams (I weighed it, I really did)
All packed in a ziploc
Navigation
Garmin Forerunner 945 (has maps + GPX)
Garmin Inreach Mini (also has GPX but mostly used to communicate with GF)
A paper map (1:50 000, Carte de Randonnées nr. 3, good for the entire trip)
Compass: Suunto A10
Electronics (oooops...)
Sony A6000 + Sigma 16mm f1.4 (only taking one prime makes photography a lot simpler)
iPhone 8
Earbuds
Battery pack: Anker Powercore 10000
Wall plug: Anker 4-port-USB
2 spare batteries for camera + charger
Cables: for Inreach, watch & phone (camera uses same cable as Inreach)
Flashlight: Fenix LD02 (since 2014!)
Spare lithium AAA for flashlight
All packed in a ziploc
I presume I won't be needing any hardware (ice axe, crampons).
Stuff sacks: a STS Ultrasil 18L daypack as foodbag for the day(comes in handy on the train), STS pump bag for the rest of the food and a silnylon 9L stuff sack for the tent.
Normally I take a hiking pole but since my shelter doesn't require one and I haven't used poles in the last year, it seems useless taking one.
No spare boxershort
Suggestions welcome! Thanks in advance.
Last edited: