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.

***************

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