How much should the multi-day ski touring backpack weigh?
The Chamonix to Zermatt Haute Route is one of the ultimate ski touring aspirations of the randonnée (ski touring) enthusiast. The journey represents a physical challenge and shouldn't be undertaken without adequate fitness and preparation.
One aspect of preparation involves planning what to carry on this multi-day ski mountaineering venture. On a guided trip the guide or company will advise all trip participants of required and recommended gear.
Technical Equipment for the Haute Route
- Skis with ski touring bindings and brakes or safety straps
- Ski touring boots
- ski poles
- Skins
- Ski crampons – or harscheisen (GER) and couteau (FR)
- Boot crampons (use a light weight carry sack only, forego heavy-weight canvas sacks and remove rubber point protectors)
- Ice axe (light weight, 50cm)
- Harness (simple, lightweight with belay loop and adjustable leg loops)
- On a guided trip, participants will be informed of the climbing / rescue hardware that each member should carry. If individuals are touring unguided they need sufficient technical equipment for safe glacier travel.
- Avalanche safety kit; refer to the article on Avalanche Search and Rescue Equipment for details.
General Gear Guidelines for the Haute Route
- Backpack (40-50 liters) with attachment straps for skis and ice axe.
- Water vessels (1 liter minimum capacity). Hydration systems are not advised. They must have hose insulation and a spare 1 - 1.5 liter vessel (a Coca Cola bottle is suitable and compressible when empty) should be carried. A lightweight thermos for hot drinks is an optional luxury. Many huts provide hot tea with which to fill a thermos the evening before a ski tour.
- Goggles - yellow lenses are best for low visibility.
- Fresh batteries for transceiver, head torch and camera.
- Head lamp (small e.g. Petzl Tikka)
- Sleeping bag liner – is now mandatory in Swiss huts. Recommended – lightweight silk version.
Clothing Layers for the Haute Route
- Wind / snow shell jacket (should be water resistant / windproof).
- Wind / snow over-trousers with full length zips, teamed up with Softshell or fleece pants. Some Softshell pants and jackets if windproof and water resistant are sufficient on their own.
- Thermal layering: Work on the principal of multiple thin layers (synthetic or wool), with a thicker ‘emergency’ warm layer (E.g. a synthetic down jacket or thick fleece).
- The base layer should be close fitting, long sleeved and light colored for warm days.
- Socks – Medium thickness wool / Polypro socks or medium socks teamed with a liner. Wearing fresh liner socks every other day is the best way to prevent blisters for skiers prone to them.
- Gloves – Polypro or thin WindStopper gloves teamed with a glove ‘shell’ or a warm / waterproof pair of ski gloves. The thin gloves are worn most of the time for uphill.
- Woolly beanie
- Neck gaiter (this may double as an item for sun protection) e.g. a Buff or a silk weight balaclava
Sun Protection for the Haute Route
- Sunglasses - Category 4 lenses, wrap around style
- Sunscreen / lip protection SPF 30+ to 50+
- Sun hat – peaked or brimmed hat
- Bandana or scarf to protect your neck (see neck gaiter)
Personal Medication and Toiletries for the Haute Route
- Blister kit – e.g. athletic tape, Compeed
- Keep toiletries to a minimum. A travel teeth cleaning kit such as those provided on long haul flights is perfect. Transfer portions of creams such as moisturizer, sunscreen or alcohol-based hand rub into small travel tubes sufficient for the trip. Consider sharing toothpaste, sunscreen, moisturizer and so on with a tour companion.
- Ear plugs
- Medication - reduce tablet packets to the number anticipated.
- Small absorbent travel towel or 'wet wipes'
Group Equipment for the Haute Route
On a guided ski tour, the group will be informed of additional necessary equipment that may be shared. This will likely include:
- Ropes
- First Aid Kit
- Repair Kit
- Group Shelter e.g. Bothy Bag
- Global Positioning System
- Compass
- Maps
It has been said: "A lot of nothings add up to something!" This is never more true than of what to carry on a multi day ski touring trip. For everything that goes into a back pack the ski tourer needs to ask themselves: "Is this item really necessary?" A back pack loaded for the Haute Route should weigh 8 - 12kgs (18 - 26 lbs). The key to maximizing enjoyment of a hut to hut ski tour is to go light!
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