Gear Checklist P A D D Y P A L L I N R E A D Y F O R D E P A R T U R E GEAR LIST □ Travel or hiking pack (to suit your journey) □ Waterproof pack liner □ Luggage tags and locks □ Lightweight daypack ? □ Sleeping bag - 3 season (if staying in alpine huts) ? □ Sleeping sheet □ Waterproof storage sacks □ Hydration unit or Unbreakable drink bottles (2 x 1L) □ Hiking shoes or boots □ Hiking socks for cool weather □ Casual shoes or sandals □ Waterproof jacket and pants □ Mid-weight top (fleece or wool) □ Lightweight thermal top and pants (fleece or wool) □ Thermal tops and pants (powerdry, wool or polypro) □ Quickdry easy care lightweight T shirt □ Quickdry easy care long sleeve shirt (no cotton) □ Quickdry easy care shorts (no cotton) □ Quickdry easy care pants (no jeans/cotton) □ Quickdry anti-chafe underwear □ Sun Hat X □ Beanie □ Light gloves □ Quickdry towel Suggested for extreme temps, winter season or higher elevations Check if may be provided by Travel Operator ESSENTIAL GEAR LOCAL CLIMATE Europe’s alpine region is an adventurer’s wonderland. The famous Mont Blanc massif and surrounding peaks provide a stunning backdrop and objective for walkers and climbers alike. The historic Tour du Mont Blanc is easily one of the most spectacular walks of the world. Being the highest peak in the European Alps, climbing Mont Blanc is a natural objective for many experienced and novice climbers. As this is a higher elevation be sure to pack options for base layers (moisture wicking to keep you dry and comfortable); mid layers (insulation to keep you warm) and breathable outer layers (waterproof & windproof to keep out the wind and rain). In snowy areas the sun’s rays intensify as they bounce off the snow. Hats, collars, and sunscreen will help to prevent sunburn. Faced with picture postcard vistas from every vantage point, the scenery and landscapes that unfold before you are simply remarkable. In the foothills of the Alps through France, Italy and Switzerland you encounter the alpine cultures and cuisine unique to these areas and staying in village hotels, gîtes and rifugios is a great way to soak up the warm hospitality for which this region is renowned. The weather in the Alps varies from North to South. In winter, the higher elevation areas are generally bitterly cold and prolonged from November to March where the mean temperature is -2°C. Eastern and Northern Europe experience harsh winters and long dark nights compared to Southern and Central Europe. Wind chill can make temperatures seem cooler and it’s always important to dress in layers to compensate for the activity exertion and the weather conditions of the day. Snow depth ranges from 15cm to 250cm above 2000m. Snow can occur daily. A down jacket is recommended to keep you warm at night. • Down jackets make excellent insulators without the extra bulk as they can pack down into a smaller package given the amount of warmth they provide. • Trekking poles are a good idea for the young or old as they can provide just that little bit of extra traction when moving through uneven terrain, but more importantly, they distribute the carrying load to reduce fatigue over a long day of trekking. • Always leave a trip plan and contact numbers with someone reliable before heading off. EUROPE HIGH ELEVATION EUROPE – HIGH ELEVATION