GR20 Kit List

humankeith

Summit Camper
I'm off to walk the GR20 in early June. I've done my first LighterPack to visualise where my weight it. Thought it would be interesting to post here, and then (if I remember) come back and comment on what gear worked well, what I missed/wished I had, and what I shouldn't have taken along.

https://lighterpack.com/r/fr5s1v

Feel free to make comments on everything apart from my too warm too comfy sleep system :D
 

edh

Thru Hiker
Looks good.
Can be cold in the evenings.
Sleeping well is important.
I was at around 4kgs when I did it but was, younger, faster, more stupid.
 

humankeith

Summit Camper
Looks good.
Can be cold in the evenings.
Sleeping well is important.
I was at around 4kgs when I did it but was, younger, faster, more stupid.

I’m looking forward to the cool evenings, I sleep well in the cold.

I think I may take less food and eat at refuges, just haven’t made that decision yet - will wave a kg or two.
 

tom

Thru Hiker
The hut food wasn't too bad actually or even nice - most cook the same dish every single day (as I learned hiking the GR20 in 2 successive years) - but breakfast is mostly crap and gets in the way of an early start - thunderstorms from noon likely in June. You can resupply in the gardenshed shop at Vizzavona station (meth and gas too) and the little shop at Col de Vergio. The GR also passes a few bergeries with nice produce on sale (but nothing else) and some huts have little kiosks. The most common problem on the GR20 are foot injuries - for many sections, there is no "trail" at all (but plenty of flashes) and excess weight seems the main cause for injuries and dropping out...
I'd try keeping total weight to under 10kg for that GR and food as an easy weight saver (all hut supplies arrive by mule so food isn't cheep...)

Also, do you really need a 900gr quilt? None of the huts are at higher altitudes and your biwi adds 5c to any quilt for the extra cold night (I did both my hikes with a Cumulus 350 SB and was always snug in single wall shelters). The mat seems a little heavy too?
 

humankeith

Summit Camper
The hut food wasn't too bad actually or even nice - most cook the same dish every single day (as I learned hiking the GR20 in 2 successive years) - but breakfast is mostly crap and gets in the way of an early start - thunderstorms from noon likely in June. You can resupply in the gardenshed shop at Vizzavona station (meth and gas too) and the little shop at Col de Vergio. The GR also passes a few bergeries with nice produce on sale (but nothing else) and some huts have little kiosks. The most common problem on the GR20 are foot injuries - for many sections, there is no "trail" at all (but plenty of flashes) and excess weight seems the main cause for injuries and dropping out...
I'd try keeping total weight to under 10kg for that GR and food as an easy weight saver (all hut supplies arrive by mule so food isn't cheep...)

Also, do you really need a 900gr quilt? None of the huts are at higher altitudes and your biwi adds 5c to any quilt for the extra cold night (I did both my hikes with a Cumulus 350 SB and was always snug in single wall shelters). The mat seems a little heavy too?

Great to hear about Vizzavona, I've heard mixed reports on fuel availability there. I am definitely planning breakfast 'on the go' as I don't like to hang around in the morning.

I knew I'd get pulled up on my sleep system weight! I sleep quite cold, and also more around a lot in my sleep. My system is rather luxurious but for a guaranteed good sleep I'm happy to take this weight. My other gear is pretty light so it evens up things a bit. I'd like to get a lighter Katabatic Gear bag next as I love my big one, but I seem to always be out in the worse weather so that took priority when I go this one last year.

I've taken the food off and kept 500g for breakfast and snacks. I'll take food or buy food at the refuges.

Weight now is 10.8kg, which will be 1-2kg lighter as each day progresses as I'll be drinking.

Anything else anyone can pick up on that I've missed or am being too generous about?
 
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cathyjc

Thru Hiker
You don't need to "apologise" for the weight of your sleep system - you know what YOU need to be comfortable.
My sleep bag + mat would weight in much the same for same conditions :thumbsup:.
 

tom

Thru Hiker
I bought some meth at the Vizzavona station gardenshed shop but its a tiny shop with little stock. Everything is sold loose (fill your own bottle with meth) - just like all the little GR20 shops sell single loo paper rolls etc. Most days you don't need to carry much water in June - apart from the high ridges, water is flowing everywhere. The water warning in the books are for the hot summer month only ... Also, some of the huts had free communal big bottle gas cookers (but no pots or pans) on the camp grounds...
 

humankeith

Summit Camper
Hi Tom,

Thanks for the useful information. I'll probably take the full 2 litres on the first day and sure I'll get a feel for the water levels as I progress through the route. Very very useful info on the Vizz meths shop!
 
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edh

Thru Hiker
I was just looking at Corsica again coincidentally. Did the GR20 years ago when the Cirque was the main route.
It was busy early season even then.
I'd go late season Sept into October if I go again, although some refuges might be shut, there's still not too huge a logistics problem.
 

Boozawooza

Ultralighter
I've got 2 weeks off end of August '23, so was thinking can take my time, get early starts & bag decent camp spots each day relatively easily...
 

Stuart

Section Hiker
We went to Corsica in early September a few years back and the refuges were all shutting down. And it rained every day in the mountains but was lovely on the beaches.
 

humankeith

Summit Camper
@humankeith How did you get on with your gr20 hike?
I am eyeing it up for next summer

It was a few years ago now, but was very enjoyable.

Some takeaways:

- It's spectacular every single day with some splendid views
- It was reasonably difficult. the distances aren't that long, but there's a lot of up and down. The Cicerone guidebook is fairly accurate on times (for me)
- You spend a lot of time 'up high' so you don't really get to feel the Corsican culture. Not a bad think but something to consider.
- I did it solo, but you're never really solo because you bump in to people doing the route and have chats along the way. This was really enjoyable.

I'd really like to do the route again once my son is a bit older (he's 6 now so still time to go!)

Enjoy!!
 
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