List of things for hiking in the Carpathians in summer

Hiking in the Carpathians has its own features: plenty of rain, the presence of rocky places, dense thickets of slate. All this must be taken into account when choosing a set of equipment and clothing for traveling through the summer Carpathians.

I especially focus on rain. It is advisable to have double protection - a waterproof jacket + a raincoat-poncho that covers the person along with the backpack. All things in the backpack must be hermetically packed, especially the sleeping bag (buy a waterproof bag for it).

List of things and equipment

First, a short list with the main items of equipment and clothing sorted into 4 categories:

• mandatory - everyone should have it;
• recommended - I advise you to have this with you, but I don’t insist;
• optional - something you can do without, but if you really want it, then take it, of course.
• unnecessary - better leave it at home, or in the storage room at the station

Backpack

A men's backpack must be at least 80 liters. Female - about 60. It is advisable that all things and equipment fit inside the backpack. When making your way through the dense thickets of slant, you risk tearing a rug hanging outside to shreds or losing a tent that is not securely fastened. It's good if your backpack has a special cover to protect it from rain.

Tent

Strong winds and rain are common in the Carpathians. Therefore, the tent must be durable, stable and waterproof. The ideal option is a two-layer tent on metal poles with a silicone awning. But cheaper tents on plastic poles with PU-coated awnings will cope with the Carpathian weather, if you do not install it right on the top of the mountain. But cheap single-layer tents from supermarkets (especially round self-folding ones) and old canvas tents are not suitable for the Carpathians.  I recommend you pay attention to lightweight tents (1-2 kg instead of 3-4).

Sleeping bag

For summer hikes in the Carpathians, you need a sleeping bag with a comfort temperature of about 0 degrees. This does not mean at all that there will be zero at night (this rarely happens in the summer). Average night temperature is +10 degrees. But practice shows that tourists (especially women) get cold if the sleeping bag does not have a “warmth reserve” of at least 10 degrees. The weight of such a sleeping bag will be from 1200 to 1500 grams, depending on the material. The best (and most expensive) sleeping bags are made from Polarguard, Primaloft, Thinsulate, Thermolite insulation. I myself go with a down sleeping bag - it is even warmer and lighter, but requires careful handling. Whatever your sleeping bag is, I advise you to buy a waterproof waterproof cover for it.

Travel rug (foam, mat)

In the summer, there are no special requirements for rugs. This could be a traditional Izhevsk rug or lighter foam made from EVA material. As I already wrote, it is advisable to hide the rug inside the backpack to protect it from branches.

Telescopic trekking poles

These are something like folding ski poles. They are very They help when hiking, as they relieve some of the load from the legs. If you have problems with your knees, you can’t go to the mountains without poles. Also with sticks it’s much safer to walk along difficult terrain - two additional points the supports won't hurt anyone. You can set up a tent on trekking poles. The only negative is the rather high price. Therefore, as an alternative to expensive trekking poles, you can use short-length ski poles (110-120 cm). For example, ski poles. “Running” ski poles are usually too long for comfortable walking, and the rings get in the way.   

Raincoat

Protection from rain is one of the most pressing tasks on a Carpathian hike. And it can be solved in different ways.  The cheapest option ($2) is to buy 3 polyethylene raincoats at the market. Exactly three, since they tear very quickly. Pack all items in your backpack into garbage bags.

A more reliable option is a fabric raincoat-poncho that covers both the person and the backpack at once ($20-30). There are waterproof suits made of rubberized fabric - a jacket plus pants. The rain, of course, will not get them wet, but such fabric does not “breathe” and with the slightest physical exertion you will get wet through with sweat. The prospect is not pleasant, but it is better than freezing in the cold wind.

The most expensive (from $200) way to protect yourself from rain is to buy a jacket and pants made of Gore-tex type membrane fabric. It is assumed that the membrane does not get wet, but at the same time “breathes”... and there are pitfalls here.

• Membranes do not last long (especially inexpensive ones, i.e. less than 300 bucks per jacket). The fabric wears out relatively quickly or delaminates at the folds and begins to let water through.
• Even a whole membrane can allow water to pass through. For example, under the straps of a backpack or on your back if you have been walking in the rain for three hours.
• A person’s ability to produce steam exceeds the ability of a membrane to remove it to the outside. In order to avoid getting wet through sweat on difficult sections (steep climbs), you have to completely unzip both the central zipper and the ventilation “windows” under the arms.

As you already understand, there is no perfect protection from rain. If the precipitation drags on, no matter how much you protect yourself, your clothes will inevitably become damp. This is why it is important to use quick-drying synthetic fabrics everywhere.

Shoes

The recommended set of shoes is lightweight trekking boots + Crocs or sports sandals. With boots on, you can safely make your way through dense thickets, walk on rock slides and deep mud on logging roads. And you need crocs or sandals to give your feet a rest and breath from time to time (in the evenings and on good dry trails). In addition, sandals are indispensable for crossing mountain rivers.

If you don't have the opportunity (or desire) to purchase trekking boots, take regular running sneakers on your hike. It is desirable that the sole be more or less dense, so that the stones do not pierce it. During your hike, your sneakers will inevitably get wet at least a couple of times (from rain or dew). It's not scary - as soon as the sun comes out, the shoes will dry quickly. But if you want to add a little more comfort, you can buy waterproof membrane socks.

Shoes in front travel must be spaced out (at least for a week). Otherwise, the bloody calluses will be yours constant traveling companions.

If you are lucky enough to be in the Carpathians during the “rainy season” (watch the forecasts), then, if you wish, you can take light waterproof boots, or shortened ones, as a second pair of shoes. Just not rubber ones (they are heavy), but lighter ones made of “foam” (the material from which Crocs are made). Do not forget to thoroughly treat your first, main pair of shoes (boots) with water-repellent impregnations. 

Trousers

The ideal option is light sweatpants made of synthetics with mesh lining. These pants weigh little and dry quickly directly on the body, they are not bitten by mosquitoes. Please note - enough just pants. There is no need to collect 10 pairs for all occasions. I don't recommend it you should take jeans on a hike - they are heavy, and when they get wet, tinder takes a long time dry. In general, avoid cotton fabrics in hiking clothing. It's a bad idea to use wide leather belts like army Under your backpack they can easily rub your lower back or literally crush your sides.

T-shirt and shorts.

I recommend buying a thermal T-shirt from a special fabrics (for example Polartec PowerDry). Clothes made from this fabric are most effectively removes sweat from the surface of the body and dries very quickly. B As a result, you will feel “dry and comfortable” even under backpack.  The prefix "thermo" does not mean at all that this is a T-shirt with miracle stove, it just dries quickly. Instead of an expensive thermal T-shirt, you can take a very ordinary synthetic T-shirt - it’s almost the same.

Regular sports shorts will also come in handy - it can be hot in the Carpathians.

Warm sweater, hat and gloves.

As I already wrote, even in the middle of summer in the Carpathians, night frosts can occur. And during the day, the wind is sometimes so persistent that it becomes cold even in the sun. Therefore, be sure to have a warm sweater, a warm hat and gloves. Products made from fleece or Polartec fabric are best for hiking. They are warm, lightweight and dry quickly. If you don't have fleece, take a wool sweater. Absolutely not suitable cotton sweaters. There should be one warm thing, but real.

A warm hat and fleece gloves will help keep you warm in a hurricane wind or in the evening around the fire. Sometimes we even sleep in hats. And during the day, a set of warm clothes should be stored hermetically packed in several plastic bags, so that after the rain you have something left to change into.

  Sweltering from the heat in the summer city, many tend to ignore warnings about the need for warm clothes. And then they freeze and, as a result, do not get enough sleep at night. When reading the weather forecast, consider that in the mountains the temperature is on average 10 degrees lower than in the nearest settlement.

Jacket - windbreaker.

The purpose of such a jacket is to protect you from the wind and possibilities from rain (jackets made of membrane fabrics such as Gore-Tex). Therefore, a windbreaker must have be hood. Without a hood, your head and ears can easily inflate. Here What a windbreaker shouldn't have is a warm lining. Maximum - regular mesh.

Headdress

Any sun protection headgear of your choice - a cap, a panama hat or a buff.

Socks

No matter how cool your shoes are, you are bound to get your feet wet several times during your hike. Therefore, it is necessary to have several pairs of running socks (at least three) and one warm, woolen one for sleeping (this primarily applies to girls). Pay attention to special hiking socks. They are made of a material that wicks away sweat well, has no seams, and is tightly sitting on the leg. This reduces the likelihood of formation calluses.
Pay attention to the Dex-Shell waterproof membrane socks that are now on sale (available in many online stores). The most budget model costs only 15-20 dollars. These socks partially replace boots and allow you to keep your feet dry even in sneakers.  

Mug, bowl, spoon

Camping utensils should be light, durable and spacious. Accordingly, they are absolutely not suitable for hiking ceramic mugs, cast iron plates, flat saucers and disposable tableware. Plastic spoons and forks often break. A mug and bowl made of lightweight stamped stainless steel and a regular tablespoon are what you need.

Towel

  A towel on a hike is not the first item necessary. You don’t have to take it at all (I don’t take it). Dry off in If necessary, you can use a T-shirt. If you're not at all If you imagine your life without a towel, buy a special tourist one microfiber towel (quick-drying and highly absorbent fabric). An ordinary cotton towel in the Carpathians risks remaining consistently wet and cold throughout the entire hike. 

Empty plastic bottle

This bottle is where you will carry water to drink throughout the day. day. Any plastic mineral water bottle or flask will do. The recommended volume is one and a half to two liters per person.

LED flashlight

Be sure to buy a headlamp LED flashlight It only costs $5-10 and is extremely convenient. The LED flashlight's set of batteries lasts for more than 100 hours of glow, while a regular one “eats” batteries in just several hours. What you definitely shouldn’t take on a hike are huge and heavy police type lights.

Camping first aid kit

A traveling first aid kit should be lightweight and at the same time universal. Of course you need peroxide, brilliant green, and a bandage. Required take a lot of plaster (bactericidal and regular). You will also need cold medicines, activated charcoal and something for stomach.  An elastic bandage and pain-relieving ointment will help if joint problems.  If you need specific medications due to with special diseases, do not forget to take them (and at the same time warn about this us). In general, take only what you know how to use.

Mosquito repellent

Mosquitoes in the Carpathians are not very vicious, not like in the North. But if you are afraid of meeting them, then you can take some aerosol to calm your soul. There's no need to bring sunscreen either.

Other hygiene

You shouldn’t take a huge arsenal on a hike creams and various cosmetic products. Here's some toilet paper Definitely - she finds it very convenient to wash dishes.

There is plenty of water in the Carpathians (although usually these are streams, not “swimable” rivers), but the weather is usually not conducive to bathing, so you can take wet wipes.  

Camera 

  Recharge equipment at there will be nowhere to go. Therefore, either save batteries or take spare. Be sure to think about how you will hide the camera from the rain - a standard rain cover for the case may not be enough.  

Mobile phone.

For security reasons, every tourist should have a mobile phone. In the Carpathians, coverage by mobile operators is far from 100%. On most routes there is a connection either in villages or on mountain tops. Do not promise your relatives that you will call in the evenings - overnight stays are usually in the lowlands, where there is no connection. In order for the batteries to last a week, smartphones must be kept in offline mode (airplane mode) at all times. If you want to stay connected, be sure to take a power bank (external battery) with 8-10 ampere hours. During a thunderstorm the phone must be turned off. 

Don't take it with you

• Axes, saws. If necessary, the instructor will take them.
• Photo tripod - you are unlikely to use it more than 1-2 times per trip
• Boilers, gas burners - the instructor will have everything you need
• Paper books and magazines - they weigh a lot
• I'm going. There will be plenty of food - read our hiking menu

Total weight 

Now, so that you can better understand why I’m shaking over every gram, let’s calculate the weight:

backpack 2 kg;  sleeping bag 1 kg; mat 0.4 kg; tent 2-4 kg; shoes 1.5 kg; clothes 3 kg; first aid kit and hygiene 1 kg; photo, mobile phone, flashlight, dishes 0.5 kg; water 2 kg, food 3 kg.
Total about 16 kg (this is with a light 2kg tent).
For a women's backpack this is already 3-4 kg too much.
That is why we try, if possible, not to give food or tents to women.
Which does not free beautiful ladies from the need to fight for every gram of their backpack.
Men, given the prospect of being loaded down with “feminine” products and tents, should also Lighten your backpack in order to have a power reserve.