What We Carried
Packing List for the GR5 and other walks in Europe
The one question I always get asked at book events: What did you bring with you?
I use a 36-liter Osprey pack. Jim uses a 45-liter Black Dimond. (But he does not fill it to capacity.)
Hiking boots
Hiking shorts
Hiking pants (Jim uses zip on/off)
Short sleeve hiking shirt
Long sleeve sun shirt for hiking- 2
Sun hat, wide brim
Good rain jacket – with pit zips
Rain pants
Puffy jacket - not down - light weight
Wind breaker – light weight. We did not have this on the GR5 but have each brought one on our last two long walks.
Warm wool hat – light weight
Gloves - light weight
Underpants - 3
2 Bra - for hiking
Bra- not for hiking
Bathing suit
Long underwear bottoms - light or med weight- I use leggings.
Long underwear top
Hiking Socks 3 pair
Sock liners 2 pair
Evening Wear
Nice Shirt for not hiking
Pants and/or a skirt for not hiking. I use a skirt and the leggings.
Sweater or warm layer for not hiking (I have this but I could get by just wearing my puffy)
One pair of socks for not hiking
Flip flops, or Allbirds wool slip-on, or Crocs for not hiking (I use Allbirds wool slip-on flats)
T-kit
Toothbrush,
Jim and I share one small tube of toothpaste
Small Brush with 2 hair elastics on the handle
Small shampoo used for washing clothes too.
Sunscreen and lip balm
Bug stuff for ticks ( not sure we have to worry about ticks in the Alps)
Ear plugs
Very small first-aid kit
Band-Aids, anti-biotic cream, moleskin, Pepto Bismol tablets, aspirin, Advil, nail clippers,
Compeeds for blisters.
Travel wallet
Passport, ID, money, credit card, health card, (all in a very small travel purse) Take photos of all to have in case wallet is stolen.
Other Gear
Sunglasses
Extra pair of prescription glasses for me
Chums
Phone charger and adapter
Phone
I Pad, with case
Ear buds
Pen and 1 piece paper
Knife
Spork
Head lamp
emergency food bars-3
emergency Space blanket
Backpacking towel
Silk Sleeping sheet
Pack cover
Small bag of trail mix not for emergency
What I packed for the GR5 in 2018. The red “x” indicate I did not end up bringing or I discarded along the way.
Everything in waterproof stuff sacks -6
I used 2-liter bladder, now I use a 3-liter bladder.
I also carry a water bottle and a “life straw”. I can drink through the straw water that needs to be treated. Jim carries tablets. We did not need to worry about treating water in the Alps because there are places to get water.
Set of trekking poles if you use them. They along with knife need to be checked. We have a lightweight duffle that compresses to very small, which Jim carries.
Guidebooks all on our phones. GIAI GPS.
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We have found having a small cloth grocery bag helpful for shopping. And a string backpack (like the one that soccer players use) for walking around the city/town if you don’t want to carry your whole pack.
Jim carried a battery pack, which we used once.
Fall of 2022 getting ready to walk in Southern Italy.
Notice how much my backpack has faded from three long walks over five years. Also we carry covid tests and masks now.
Happy packing. For me packing is almost as fun as the walking. Anticipation …………..
To learn more about our travels buy the book
Available in e-book, audiobook, and paperback
