Last year 12 year old daughter and wallked from village to village all over France in the heat. I carried a total of 16 lounds and my daughter only carried 10 pounds, not including the clothes we wore.
Obessively combed these boards for advice on everything from the lowest weight umbrella to finding wright socks that have a built in liner. No need to bring sleeping bag or food as we stay in villlage inns or this summer, in mountain refuges.
Here is what we took to France last year, now we need to tweak it all for the Alps which it will be higher and chillier and more variable.
Looking for advice here on any tweaks, notably in shells, rain wear, an insulating layer, and pants. We like items that do double duty in a tech way for the days we are going to hut-to-hut but also serve well in bigger towns/cities. We hate baggy zip off hiking pants (we are both skinny) and the REI store here has nothing in stock, and we are wondering what brands to search for in order find a slimmer fitting climbing pant.
Ultra light weight trekking poles from ruta
Gregory Exos 45 backpacks (served us very well!)
Merrel gore-tex vibram soled low walking shoes/boot (these are very light but will likely take instead our heavier vasque ankle -supported boots this go around as there is a lot of scree in the dolomites)
patagognia quick dry underwear and wright socks for 4 days
Athleta travel dress with cap sleeves
too heavy and ugly LL Bean fleece full zip sweater as insulating layer, needs replacement with something ligher and more versatile
2 short sleeved t-shirts from rei
1 long sleeved thin shirt to use as sun/bug layer (Patagonia)
Athleta skort
Atlhleta capris
very light weight leather sandals that serve in town and to wear in the evenings (might be too cold for this in the Alps, might need to rethinkk)
thin/very light shower flip flops
skimpy travel towel
foldable panama hat with jerryrigged stampede string
tiny foldable umbrella
very light but not durable and very ugly rain jacket (never rained last year in France, but used umbrella against the sun)
cotton draw string p.j pants and a sleevless silk camisole to wear as pajamas
We did look kind of sloppy/weird last year and my 12 year old wants to fashion up a bit compared to last year.
Can I get away with the Merrell's in the dolomites? They do not have ankle support but they weigh nothing.
Where can I get a nice fleece that is not so heay as the ancient LL Bean polartec and a bit more fashionable so can wear it with a dress to dinner in a town?
I think we need a pair of pants too, we skipped those last year but we were not in the high mountains as we will be this time.
Will have to add a sleeping sack liner for the huts in the dolomites. Alas, more weight.
Toiletry kit is shaved down to a minimum, plus sunglasses, maps, cicerone guide, wallet.. Am considering going without any electronics at all.
