Hi everyone! I am so excited that I am going to get to walk St. Olav's Way from Sundsvall to Trondheim in August and September of next year! I have been reading the other threads on here but thought I'd go ahead and ask about my own situation, to get as much benefit from others' knowledge as I can. This is my first pilgrimage and my first experience with a long solo trip.
I am planning my gear loadout. I do not own any backpacking gear currently, as I haven't backpacked in quite some time (having a young child will do that to you!) I will be traveling alone, and my budget is pretty limited. Meaning, I can't afford the cool name-brand items that many people swear by. And what splurging I can afford to do, will probably be on clothing for the trail, because staying dry and at a comfortable temperature while hiking is very important for me. I plan to camp the majority of the time, using other accommodations only when they are free or very inexpensive, or the weather is truly awful. Also, I hope to keep my pack pretty light-- less than twenty pounds if that's possible.
So here is what I am planning currently, and I would love any critiques and suggestions anyone can offer!
-- Pack: Inexpensive 50L internal frame. If my kit is light enough, I might go for a frameless one instead.
-- Shelter: Light tarp and trekking poles. (I don't like tents. I hope to sleep open-air when possible, and pitch the tarp if it rains.)
-- Sleeping bag: lightweight synthetic rated for 40F
-- Sleeping pad: ThermaRest RidgeRest SOLite
-- Footprint: Mylar blanket (also large enough that if I get super cold, I can fold it over myself as well)
-- Plastic trash bags and ziploc bags for keeping things dry
-- Hydration: 2L Camelback with in-straw filter
-- Cooking setup: Either an alcohol stove made from a can, or a very light canister stove; foil windscreen; Zippo lighter and storm matches; 1 quart aluminum pot; collapsible mug
-- Clothing: Merino underwear, socks and base layer. (Like I said, my one splurge!) Quick drying convertible pants. Linen overshirt in case of sun or bugs. Wool sweater. Fleece jacket. Frogg Toggs for my rain gear. Light water-resistant hiking boots. Beanie and liner gloves. Brimmed hat with bug netting. No changes of clothes except socks and undies.
-- First aid kit, multi-tool, compass, pen light, whistle... the basics. (Of course.)
-- Personal/hobby things: small binoculars (for stargazing), sketchpad and pencils, journal, e-reader, quick-drying bathing suit and microfiber towel, charging unit for phone and e-reader
-- Hygiene items: Comb, antiperspirant, dry shampoo, cut-down toothbrush, dried toothpaste tabs, multi-purpose biodegradable soap, chapstick, small amount of sunscreen, toilet paper, small trowel (for burying waste)
What are folks' ideas about that list? Any changes you would recommend? Do you think I can put that stuff together at twelve, or at most, fifteen pounds? (The extra weight to be occupied by food, water and fuel.)
Now, on to thoughts about food. I know there will be places to restock food frequently along the way-- what is the longest period I should plan on going without resupply? In other words, how many days' food should I plan to carry at once? Also, I'm wondering what sort of things I will be able to carry to eat. If I were doing a shorter hike closer to home, I would prepare individual dinners in ziploc bags out of dehydrated ingredients, and then just add boiling water at dinner time, but that won't be an option when I'm thousands of miles from my kitchen! I don't really know what kinds of instant/portable foods will be available in local stores in Sweden and Norway. I am fine with just eating nuts, fruit, etc. throughout the day but I do like to make myself a hot dinner at the end of a twenty mile hike. (Of course, I will undoubtedly eat in cafes/restaurants by the way sometimes, but probably not the majority of the time.)
And water: will 2L be enough to get me from one source to the next? I've heard it's fine to drink from the springs and streams, but I want to be on the safe side and use some filtration...
I'm sure I will have many other questions as the time approaches, but in the meantime, I would love any input people are willing to give! Thank you in advance!
~Julianna~
I am planning my gear loadout. I do not own any backpacking gear currently, as I haven't backpacked in quite some time (having a young child will do that to you!) I will be traveling alone, and my budget is pretty limited. Meaning, I can't afford the cool name-brand items that many people swear by. And what splurging I can afford to do, will probably be on clothing for the trail, because staying dry and at a comfortable temperature while hiking is very important for me. I plan to camp the majority of the time, using other accommodations only when they are free or very inexpensive, or the weather is truly awful. Also, I hope to keep my pack pretty light-- less than twenty pounds if that's possible.
So here is what I am planning currently, and I would love any critiques and suggestions anyone can offer!
-- Pack: Inexpensive 50L internal frame. If my kit is light enough, I might go for a frameless one instead.
-- Shelter: Light tarp and trekking poles. (I don't like tents. I hope to sleep open-air when possible, and pitch the tarp if it rains.)
-- Sleeping bag: lightweight synthetic rated for 40F
-- Sleeping pad: ThermaRest RidgeRest SOLite
-- Footprint: Mylar blanket (also large enough that if I get super cold, I can fold it over myself as well)
-- Plastic trash bags and ziploc bags for keeping things dry
-- Hydration: 2L Camelback with in-straw filter
-- Cooking setup: Either an alcohol stove made from a can, or a very light canister stove; foil windscreen; Zippo lighter and storm matches; 1 quart aluminum pot; collapsible mug
-- Clothing: Merino underwear, socks and base layer. (Like I said, my one splurge!) Quick drying convertible pants. Linen overshirt in case of sun or bugs. Wool sweater. Fleece jacket. Frogg Toggs for my rain gear. Light water-resistant hiking boots. Beanie and liner gloves. Brimmed hat with bug netting. No changes of clothes except socks and undies.
-- First aid kit, multi-tool, compass, pen light, whistle... the basics. (Of course.)
-- Personal/hobby things: small binoculars (for stargazing), sketchpad and pencils, journal, e-reader, quick-drying bathing suit and microfiber towel, charging unit for phone and e-reader
-- Hygiene items: Comb, antiperspirant, dry shampoo, cut-down toothbrush, dried toothpaste tabs, multi-purpose biodegradable soap, chapstick, small amount of sunscreen, toilet paper, small trowel (for burying waste)
What are folks' ideas about that list? Any changes you would recommend? Do you think I can put that stuff together at twelve, or at most, fifteen pounds? (The extra weight to be occupied by food, water and fuel.)
Now, on to thoughts about food. I know there will be places to restock food frequently along the way-- what is the longest period I should plan on going without resupply? In other words, how many days' food should I plan to carry at once? Also, I'm wondering what sort of things I will be able to carry to eat. If I were doing a shorter hike closer to home, I would prepare individual dinners in ziploc bags out of dehydrated ingredients, and then just add boiling water at dinner time, but that won't be an option when I'm thousands of miles from my kitchen! I don't really know what kinds of instant/portable foods will be available in local stores in Sweden and Norway. I am fine with just eating nuts, fruit, etc. throughout the day but I do like to make myself a hot dinner at the end of a twenty mile hike. (Of course, I will undoubtedly eat in cafes/restaurants by the way sometimes, but probably not the majority of the time.)
And water: will 2L be enough to get me from one source to the next? I've heard it's fine to drink from the springs and streams, but I want to be on the safe side and use some filtration...
I'm sure I will have many other questions as the time approaches, but in the meantime, I would love any input people are willing to give! Thank you in advance!
~Julianna~