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© David Schweizer
Equipment list for mountain and alpine hiking
Basic equipment for mountain and alpine hiking
Which essential items do you need in your backpack for a mountain or alpine hike?
Hikers often burden themselves with unnecessary weight out of fear of leaving something important behind. But a backpack that feels lightweight in the morning can end up being nightmarishly heavy after a hike lasting several hours. That's why it's smart to limit yourself to the essentials to avoid unnecessary weight and to use a packing list as your checklist. Use the SAC equipment list to ensure that you are perfectly prepared for your next hiking tour.
Technical equipment
- Tour-appropriate backpack (one day/multi-day tour 20-40 litres)
- Sturdy hiking boots with good quality, treaded soles
- Telescopic poles / hiking poles
- Swisstopo maps, hiking maps
- Smartphone with pre-installed map and REGA air rescue apps, extra power bank
- Headlamp with replacement batteries
- *Compass or GPS with tracker
- *Binoculars
- *Lightweight ice axe (for granular spring snow)
General equipment
- Wind- and weather-proof jacket (Gore-Tex!)
- Suitable hiking trousers, shorts
- Fleece layer or sweater
- Sun protection (sunglasses, sun cream, peaked cap, lip protection)
- Change of light underwear if required
- Hut sleeping bag (for overnight hut stay)
- First aid kit, space blanket
- Lunch, drinks, pocket knife
- Cash, SAC membership cards (if available)
- *Warm cap and / or headband, gloves
- *Umbrella, rain cover for backpack
Good to know
- Weather conditions can deteriorate suddenly in the mountains; this should not be underestimated and requires experience!
- Make sure your hiking boots still have good treads.
- A well-stocked first aid kit is useful for treating more challenging injuries.
*optional; dependent on the season, weather and the hike’s degree of difficulty.