Boots and Socks
I have until now always recommend the use of waterproof membrane-lined light weight, somewhat stiff-soled boots and not airy low-cut, relatively fkexubke hiking shoes or running shoes. The main reason has been the possibility of cold weather and heavy rain; but also the need to cross (very rarely) wet, muddy, snowy or rock-filled terrain, and, if you are going to carry a heavy pack, the wear and tear on your feet if you use a flexible soled running-type shoe. For me, the problem with membrane lined boots has always been the heat and perspiration build up in hot weather that can quickly cause blisters. (If you don’t experience sweaty feet, this would not be a problem.) Thus, personally, I felt impelled to change my hiking socks once or twice during the day, but often my decision to change them came too late and I developed a blister.
During my 2009 trip into the very rocky southern Alps with an under 20 pound pack, I used very light weight, low-cut airy, flexible hiking shoes that had unbelievable slip-resistance. It did not rain, and because my feet were cool and airy, they did not become damp from perspiration , so I did not develop a blister. I now believe that low cut trail shoes (providing the sole of the shoe is sufficiently broad) provide only slightly less stability and support than over the ankle boots. (The very heavy mountaineering boots that practically nobody wears for regular trail hiking would provide more ankle stability, of course).
Today, with today’s equipment, there is no reason to be carrying a heavy pack on the GR5, and so the stiffness of heavier boots is not an issue — unless, of course, one is going to be fitting crampons early in the season. Many ultra-lite web sites advocate for very light shoes that will dry quickly. On the other hand, the northern Alps can be quite cold and, occasionally, continuously rainy. If it is cold, your feet are less likely to sweat. Almost all European hikers will wear over the ankle boots, and in recent years there are some very light models available. For a GR5 walk that crosses both the northern and southern Alps, One Alternative would be tocarry both types of footwear, and touse the one that best fits the conditions of the day. For a further airing of the issues, see the following site and its comments: http://www.cleverhiker.com/blog/ditch-boots
Whatever footwear you choose, do strongly consider replacing the inner soles with a purchased pair that have good arch support and good impact absorption. (If your inner soles are old or much used, the springiness has probably gone out of them, and they should be replaced.) This impact absorption. is very important to help protect your knees on the long steep descents that you will be making, such as the descent to the Chamonix valley, or the descent from the Valley of Marvels to Sospel on the GR52.
Sun Protection
If you have a fair skin that doesn’t tan well , seriously consider wearing very light long sleeve shirts and pants, rather than short sleeve shirt and shorts. This is particularly true in the southern Alps, where the humidity is reduced, and the sun intense. The alternative is gobs of a good effective suncream. Keep in mind that a couple of tubes of sunscreen can weigh one-half pound.
To protect your face from the sun, wear a hat! Also make sure that your sunglasses are dark ones. Eyestrain from too much glare can easily give you a headache.
Trekking Poles
I recommend you carry and use these. Trekking poles serve several purposes: 1) Stability on the very few parts of the trail that cross scree or (perhaps) snow; 2) cushioning the stress on your knees on a steep descent; and 3) conserving energy during climbs. I have read that energy expended hiking a given distance is significantly reduced when poles are used, and it is true for me personally. Some of the greatest Alpinists of the world have used them.
Packing for the Rain:
I have never found a pack rain cover that was effective in heavy rains — and most people in hiking shops agreee. Many people line their pack with a heavy garbage bag, but care must be taken not to damage it. In my view, the best bet to keep one’s things dry is freezer-weight zipper bags (the type with a plastic slider—test them out, because in my experience the slider has come off some cheaper brands (Zip- Loc® for one). Hefty® has been excellent). Zipper bags also help keep you organized. They are available in some American and European supermarkets, or online, in quart, gallon, and 2.5 gallon sizes.
What kind of backpack ?
Personally, I believe that the traditional 6 or 7 pound backpack, which I used for many years, is obsolete. It carried very well for loads up to 40 or 50 pounds, but one’s load today is a fraction of that.
Depending upon the weight you will carry you could purchase a 3 pound (1.5 kilo) backpack with a good wastebelt that carries nicely up to 30 pounds (such as the larger ultralight pack sold by REI (a USA cooperative). Or you could buy simple, voluminous shoulder-carried backpack weighing about 1 to 1.5 pounds (0.5 to .7 kilo) and able to carry comfortably about 15 pounds.
In my experience, a pack without a waistbelt allows me much more freedom and speed, and less effort, so the “ultra-lite” approach gains doubly in making for an enjoyable outing, providing that my load is under 16 pounds. Some people like to use a belt loosely to lessen pack sway; I think that depends upon your gait and the pack.
The following table provides information that may help you calculate your pack weight on the trail.
The table is based upon the assumption that you will not be carrying a tent or a sleeping bag, (If you are bivouacking, add a minimum of 5 pounds.) It assumes, rather, that you will be staying in refuges, gites, and hotels (refer to the chapter on Accommodations), and that you will not be dressing up for fancy restaurants or hiking in other than summer. If any of the the contrary is true, add the necessary weight in the second column of the listing.
Item |
Weight in Pounds | Weight in Pounds |
| Required Items | pack with no carrying waist-belt | pack with carrying waist-belt |
| Pack: Given the load you will be carrying a heavy pack is unnecessary. | 1.5 | 3.0 |
| Water: You will probably need to carry at least 1.5 liters (quarts) of water plus containers. (Some Europeans I’ve met have the ability to get by on one liter, but most of us can’t. Providing I pre-hydrate, I have found that if there are no refill points, for 7 hours of hiking I need to carry 2.0 liters of water (such as in the Mercantour Park of the southern Alps).
I use 1/2 liter very lightweight bottled water bottles as containers, and have never had them leak. A purification system is superfluous unless you plan to bivouack, as in the Northern Alps there are many sources of drinkable water, and in the far Southern Alps, there may be no sources of water at all along the trail. As an emergency back you could cary pills. |
up to 4.4 | up to 4.4 |
| Food: You will want a one or two days supply on average of food for lunch and snacks. You can restock in most villages or buy some items in refuges and gites. See the optional items below if you are planning to cook | 1.0 | 1.0 |
| Outerwear Jackets of conventional fleece and ultralight rain jacket including Gortex®, would weigh together 2 pounds,Any such gear will not keep you dry if you are sweatily hiking uphill, but it will keep you warm. I would avoid down filled ultralight jackets in the rainy northern Alps, in favor of fleece, which which warms some even if drenched; but go with lighter down in the southern Alps. For the lightest pack use socks as gloves if necessary. | 1.4 | 1.4 |
| Clothing Be sure to bring a hat, ideally with a wide brim, and sun glasses (very dark ones if you are passing by glaciers). You will want to carry: underwear, long underwear, a pair of gloves, a long-sleeved shirt, an extra tee shirt (still the most comfortable) or synthetic short-sleeved shirt, and extra socks. If you don’t use convertible pants, you will need an extra pair, either long pants or shorts. You may want to bring an extra pair of pants anyway, so you can launder the first pair, or just a swimsuit.
Extra trail items you might want to bring include fleece overpants, rain pants, gloves, a ski hat, a casual long-sleeved shirt, a handkerchief, a belt, an extra change of all clothing. |
2.5 | 5.0 |
| Kits Toilet articles, towel,toilet tissues, regular tissues, a tiny flashlight, a compass, matches, whistle,repair items, first aid items | 1.5 | 2.0 |
| Sheet and Pillowcase: Silk (cotton weighs more) | 0.6 | 0.6 |
| Printed Matter Topo Guides, Guide Books, Maps (consider dispensing with unneeded sections) , pen (for extra books and maps see optional items) | 1.0 | 1.0 |
| Miscellaneous | 0.7 | 1.0 |
| Subtotal of Required Items | up to 15.6 | up to 19.4 |
| Optional Items – weights are approximate | ||
| Extra Food and possibly cooking items if you are cooking your own meals | 1.0 – 5.0 | |
| Umbrella Small, collapsible, for hiking in drizzle or sun shield | 0.4 | |
| Dress Clothes for use in the evening in fancy restaurants. | 1.0 | |
| Evening shoes Running shoes or sandals and cotton socks, “Crocks”, or dress shoes | 0.8 – 1.4 | |
| Camera and film, or digital camera and charger | 0.4 – 3.0 | |
| Binoculars | 0.5 – 1.0 | |
| Personal Contact lens solution? Cosmetics? | 0.5 – 1.0 | |
| Early Season Gear Ice Ax? Crampons? Gaiters? | 1.0 – 4.0 | |
| Extra Guide Books and Maps | 2.0 | |
| Extra Books Reading book? French phrase book? | 0,7 – 1.5 | |
| Sleeping bag, matress, bivy sac | 2.0 – 4.0 | |
| Subtotal of Optional Items | 24.3 | |
| TOTAL – Up to: | 39.9 |