Tested on the Haute Route
The Haute Route packing list
Every item with its weight, from a kit carried on the tour and checked afterwards. Weights are about the lightest that is practical.
- Lightest setup
- 9.6 kg
- In the pack
- 8.7 kg
- On the body
- 1.0 kg
- Items
- 47
Lightest setup: all essential and recommended items at their lightest weights. Skis and boots are not on this list. Food and water are per day.
Avalanche & safety
| BackpackAn ABS airbag backpack adds about 1 kg.Option: Ski-touring backpack 40 lOption: Airbag backpack 30–35 l with cartridge (1,900 g + 330 g) | Essential | 1 400 g |
|---|---|---|
| Avalanche probe 260 cm, carbon | Essential | 280 g |
| Avalanche shovel, metalPlastic shovel blades are not recommended. | Essential | 440 g |
| Ski strap (Ski Fix) | Recommended | 34 g |
| Ski-touring helmetLess warm, but lighter. A beanie can be worn underneath. | Essential | 365 g |
| Essential and recommended | 2.5 kg | |
Glacier & technical
| Crampons, in a thin bagMany guides swear by steel crampons. Aluminium crampons are considerably lighter. | Essential | 928 g |
|---|---|---|
| Ice axe 55–60 cm | Essential | 420 g |
| Ski crampons | Essential | 205 g |
| Climbing skins | Essential | 535 g |
| Bivouac sack | Essential | 118 g |
| Essential and recommended | 2.2 kg | |
Clothing in the pack
| Insulated jacket, down | Essential | 400 g |
|---|---|---|
| Warm mittensEssential for warm hands at −10 to −15 °C. | Essential | 296 g |
| Thin beanie | Recommended | 30 g |
| Silk liner glovesExtremely practical: they can stay on under your other gloves all the time. | Essential | 26 g |
| Warm hat | Recommended | 59 g |
| Face mask | Optional | 66 g |
| Buff | Recommended | 33 g |
| Essential and recommended | 0.8 kg | |
Hut kit
| Hut sleeping bag | Essential | 129 g |
|---|---|---|
| Spare underwear, 1 pair | Recommended | 76 g |
| Long-sleeve T-shirt | Recommended | 185 g |
| Hut trousers | Recommended | 170 g |
| Hut socks, 1 pair | Recommended | 40 g |
| Rubbish bag | Recommended | 5 g |
| Clear zip bagHandy for bread from breakfast. | Recommended | 5 g |
| Mini towel | Recommended | 38 g |
| Glasses with caseOnly if you wear glasses. | Optional | 158 g |
| Toiletry mini-kitToothbrush, travel toothpaste, mini shower gel, earplugs, ibuprofen. | Recommended | 185 g |
| Essential and recommended | 0.8 kg | |
Food & drink (per day)
| Water, 1.5 l PET bottle, filledMore than 1.5 litres a day is usually not advisable, and 1 litre will be enough for many. If you like hot tea, bring a thermos; huts sell tea for the day. | Essential | 1 399 g |
|---|---|---|
| Day foodBuy 1–2 bars at each hut; some huts offer packed lunches. | Essential | 150 g |
| Emergency reserve: nuts, chocolate | Optional | 117 g |
| Essential and recommended | 1.5 kg | |
Essentials & small items
| Sunglasses, category 4 | Essential | 79 g |
|---|---|---|
| Ski goggles | Recommended | 245 g |
| Sunscreen and lip balm | Essential | 31 g |
| Headlamp | Essential | 102 g |
| First-aid kit with blister plasters, compact | Essential | 149 g |
| Power bank 10,000 mAh, cable and charger | Optional | 289 g |
| Passport | Recommended | 40 g |
| ID card and cash | Essential | 85 g |
| Essential and recommended | 0.7 kg | |
Worn on the body
| Ski-touring harness | Essential | 93 g |
|---|---|---|
| HMS carabiners, 2 | Essential | 140 g |
| Safelock carabiner, 1 | Essential | 75 g |
| Sling 120 cm | Essential | 108 g |
| Prusik cords 5 mm × 4 m, 2 | Essential | 77 g |
| Ice screw, about 17 cm | Essential | 100 g |
| Light carabiner for the crampons | Recommended | 25 g |
| Phone | Essential | 180 g |
| Avalanche transceiver, worn on the body | Essential | 158 g |
| Essential and recommended | 1.0 kg | |
Before you go
- Adjust the crampons to your boots.
- Practise strapping the skis to the sides of the backpack.
- Practise carrying the skis diagonally through the backpack loop.