Camping in the mountains: How to prepare?

How to Gear Up for Backpacking?

Whether you're heading out for several days of hiking or just for a weekend, it's essential to have a backpack suited to what you'll be carrying. A tent, a sleeping pad, a sleeping bag, a pillow, a stove, food, water... this is a non-exhaustive list of what's necessary. You also need to choose your clothes according to the weather forecast, keeping in mind that the weather can change very quickly at high altitudes. You should also consider possible temperature variations between day and night, as well as during the day. Taking these different factors into account, here are some tips for choosing your hiking outfit:

How to Stay Warm While Backpacking?

The golden rule of layering is commonly used in hiking to manage temperature variations and changing weather conditions. It involves layering three types of clothing to maximise protection, heat regulation, and comfort.

Base Layer (First Layer):

• This layer, in direct contact with the skin, is designed to wick sweat away from your body, keeping you dry.
• Choose garments or underwear made of breathable fabrics such as polyester, nylon, or merino wool that wick sweat efficiently.
• Avoid cotton, as it retains moisture and can cool you down quickly.

Insulating Mid Layer (Second Layer):

• This layer provides extra insulation to retain body heat.
• Choose a fleece or a light down jacket that offers good insulation.
• You can choose the thickness of this layer based on the weather forecast and your own tolerance to the cold.

Waterproof Outer Layer (Third Layer):

• This layer is your first line of defence against the elements, such as wind, rain, or snow.
• A waterproof and breathable jacket like Gore-Tex is ideal. An added bonus: ventilation zips under the arms allow you to regulate body temperature when exertion makes you hot.

Suitable Hiking Boots for Backpacking Trips

Having proper hiking boots is essential in the mountains to tackle varied, sometimes rugged terrain. They provide extra stability for your feet and ankles, preventing sprains and other injuries. They protect you from sharp rocks, tree roots, and other obstacles encountered on the trails. Boots with waterproof and breathable membranes keep your feet dry when it rains, when you cross a stream, or in morning dew.

The soles of hiking boots are designed to offer grip and traction on various types of terrain, such as rocks, grass, dirt, mud, or snow. Good traction allows you to move confidently, even on slippery or unstable surfaces.

Protecting Yourself from the Sun

Don’t forget your sunglasses, a cap or hat to protect yourself from the sun, as well as sunscreen.

Opt for technical and versatile clothing that allows you to adapt to changing conditions in the mountains, keeping you comfortable during your hike.

Choosing a Sleeping Bag for a Night in the Mountains

Choosing a sleeping bag depends on several criteria: the altitude of the places where you might camp, the season, the expected weather conditions, and your sensitivity to the cold. To help you find the most suitable model, sleeping bags are classified as 2, 3, and 4-season. Here are some points to consider to make the right choice:

• Comfort temperature and temperature rating: Ensure you choose a sleeping bag with a comfort temperature suitable for the temperatures you are likely to encounter. Most sleeping bags display a temperature rating indicating the minimum temperatures they are designed for.
• Fill type: There are 2 types of fill: synthetic and down. Down generally offers a better warmth-to-weight ratio and packability but can lose its effectiveness if it gets wet. Synthetic insulation, on the other hand, retains its insulating properties better when wet, which can be an advantage in damp conditions.
• Weight and packability: These are important criteria to consider if you plan to carry your sleeping bag for several days or even weeks. Choose a lightweight and easily packable model to save space in your backpack.
• Size and shape: Choose a sleeping bag based on your size and body shape. Some are designed to offer more space and freedom of movement, while others are more fitted to maximise thermal efficiency.
• Zip and additional features: Look for features such as anti-snag zips, adjustable hoods, and possibly internal pockets to store items you want to keep within reach.

Test Your Equipment

Once all your equipment is carefully packed in your backpack, we recommend testing it. Indeed, it is very important that you wear your backpack before you set off. You can reorganise the arrangement of its contents, assess your priorities, and decide what you can afford to remove or add.

Food and Hydration While Backpacking

During a backpacking trip, water is a resource that needs to be optimised. It is necessary for drinking, cooking, washing your dishes, personal hygiene, etc. A great solution is to use a filter straw that allows you to purify water from a stream, lake, fountain, or other sources you might find along your way. During your route preparations, it is crucial to ensure there will be water sources and resupply points.

Indeed, you also need to eat. A good meal after a long day of hiking helps you regain strength for the next day. If you are going for several days on your own, you can bring freeze-dried meals. These meals are designed to provide the nutrients and energy you need. They allow for variety and can satisfy everyone, including vegetarians. To prepare this type of meal, a camping stove is necessary. But don’t worry, manufacturers have long been working on developing models that are both lightweight, compact, and highly efficient so you don’t have to wait too long before you can enjoy a good meal.

Why Make a Gear List for Your First Trip?

Making a gear list for a backpacking trip is essential for multiple reasons:

1. Not forgetting anything: By creating a comprehensive list, you make sure you don't forget to bring essential items. It's easy to overlook important things when you're preparing for an excursion. That's why a list allows you to methodically check that you have everything you need.
2. Optimising space and weight: A list allows you to carefully plan what you will take, avoiding overloading your backpack with unnecessary items. This helps you optimise the space and weight of your gear, which is particularly important on long treks where every gram counts.
3. Adapting to specific conditions: Depending on your destination and the weather you might encounter, you can refine your list. This way, you can include warm clothing if lower temperatures are forecast in the mountains.
4. Making preparation easier: Having a pre-established list saves you time and reduces the stress of preparation. You know exactly what you need to bring and can prepare your gear efficiently and systematically.
5. Reducing risks: By ensuring you have all the necessary items, you reduce the risks of unforeseen events or dangerous situations during your trip. Having the right gear can make all the difference in an emergency or sudden change in weather.

Plan Your Hiking Route

To plan your route to the campsite, you will find many IGN maps on Glisshop. Highly detailed, they are very helpful for navigation before and during your adventure.

There are also GPS watches. They help you navigate and follow a route, whether you are hiking, running, skiing, or cycling. They include a compass, altimeter, barometer, and can monitor your heart rate, all while being connected to your smartphone, alerting you to calls or messages.

Regarding phones, there are both paid and free apps available for download. Some work offline, which is perfect for areas with no network coverage. In addition to providing topographic map backgrounds, they accurately geolocate you.

One last tip: don’t overestimate yourself! There are very beautiful spots sometimes less than an hour’s walk from where you can park your vehicle. Be reasonable if you’re not used to walking and don’t try to reach remote places than are difficult to access, risking getting discouraged. Instead of taking unnecessary risks, take the time to familiarise yourself with your equipment, without rushing, and start with a micro-adventure without venturing too far out of your comfort zone. As you gain experience, you will learn which items are absolutely necessary and which you can do without in certain conditions. You will refine your choices and enjoy every trip to the fullest, avoiding unpleasant surprises!

Monitoring the Weather

As you may already know, mountain weather can change abruptly, especially in the summer, a time with high storm risks. Finding yourself at 2,000 meters of altitude and dealing with a storm threatening to rip apart your tent is something no one desires.

Therefore, before you spend the night in the mountains, you must be rigorous in analysing the weather. For instance, the Windy app provides real-time and upcoming weather information: cloud density, rainfall, wind speed and direction, and more.

On this note, you should know that it is not recommended to go alone in the mountains. If you don’t have anyone to go with that day, tell a close one about your destination, your route, and plan ahead where you will set up your tent. If you reach a refuge, it is possible that other hikers will also be camping there. In case of trouble, it is preferable to be able to ask for help.

Finally, if the weather forecast predicts bad conditions, it’s better to postpone your outing or plan a backup route to avoid being exposed to unfavourable conditions on the day.

Gathering Information Beforehand

In theory, camping in France is allowed almost everywhere, except where it is restricted by local regulations that, in some places, vary depending on the time of year. Therefore, there isn’t a single rule that applies everywhere. It is essential to gather information from institutions, town halls, national parks, regional nature parks, and nature reserves. There are various ways to find information and a spot to pitch your tent:

• Online: If you have a destination in mind, chances are you will find information on the web or social media. You can ask for advice to discover the most beautiful spots and enjoy the best sunsets.
• From tourist information centres: In addition to having a wealth of varied information about their territory, tourist information centres are perfect for obtaining accurate information on where you can pitch your tent. They are also the right place to learn about regulations and avoid areas where camping is prohibited. To ensure that these areas of freedom are preserved, we urge you to respect local rules.
• Ask the locals: Locals are perhaps the best source of information on where to spend the night in their mountains. Sometimes, just stopping in a hamlet can lead to meeting people who will prove to be a wealth of information, ready to point you to the perfect spot to spend the night. These same people may also allow you to pitch your tent in their woods, pastures, or even their garden.