Appendix I - Our gear

• 1 rucksack Jansport Spire 60l
• 1 sleeping bag, down, light, small packing size, just a bit too warm
• 1 insulation mat (55x185 cm, that's 21.6x72.8 inches)
• 1 cotton slacks (from an old track-suit)
• 1 pants (long, synthetics, cotton inlet)
• 1 jacket (synthetics, cotton inlet)
• 1 swimshorts (never used as such)
• 1 bathing trunks
• 4 T-shirts
• 4 underpants (briefs)
• 1 pair of socks (terry cloth)
• 2 pairs of stockings (a leftover from my time in the service)
• 1 pair of hiking boots (robust, not too heavy)
• 1 pair of sandals
• 1 sun-hat (white cloth)
• 1 pair of glasses with case & cleaning cloth (I'm a spectacle-wearer)
• 1 set of knife, fork, and spoon (another leftover from the service)
• 1 plastic plate (soup plate)
• 1 cup (stainless steel, so they said; better take plastic cup)
• 1 flashlight "Maglite AA" with batteries (3 sets, much too much)
• 2 lighters
• 1 stove, "Trangia", aluminum, large, 2 pans, cover/frying pan, kettle
• 1 switchblade knife, big, sharp, and heavy
• 1 roll of toilet paper
• 1 toilet-set with
  • 1 toothbrush
  • 1 comb
  • 1 soap
  • 1 tweezers
  • 1 shaver with several blades
  • 1 small mirror
  • 6 Q-tips
  • 1 set of ear plugs (E.A.R)
  • 1 nail-scissors
  • 1 small screwdriver (for the bow screws of the spectacles)
  • 2 insect repellents, "Autan" and the Real Thing from Scotland (where they really know a thing or two about midges...)
  • 1 sun lotion (protection factor 12)
  • several matches (waterproof)
  • 5 cleaning tissues for the glasses, alcool
  • 1 lip balm (with sun protection)
  (some things seem to miss; not everybody carried everything)
• 1 wash cloth
• 1 towel (what's a man without his towel??)
• 1 dish towel
• 1 small bottle of rinsing agent (biologically degradable)
• 1 pack of tissues
• 1 drinking bottles, Sigg, 1 liter each
• 1 purse on a rope, to be worn around the neck
• 1 normal purse
• 1 book: Tom Sharpe, The Wilt alternative (wonderful author, btw.)
• 18 (!) chocolate bars (I knew they'd sting me for them...)
• 3 slabs of chocolate (100g)
• other food for the way there
• several plastic bags
• clips for the bags
• cash (1050 FF, just for the first few days...)
• eurocheques with card
• identity card
• travel guide

• 1 rucksack, McKinley, 65l
• 1 (too) warm sleeping bag (synthetic fibre)
• 1 insulation mat (very basic, but good, see "Equipment")
• 1 shorts
• 1 swimshorts
• 1 cloth pants
• 1 rain pants
• 1 rain jacket
• 2 pair of stockings (same as Chris's)
• 2 pair of socks
• 3 underpants (briefs)
• 1 underpants (jockeys, used for pajamas pants replacement)
• 1 undershirt
• 3 T-shirts
• 1 T-shirt with long sleeves
• 1 fleece jacket
• 1 pair of light hiking shoes ("Outdoor light")
• 1 pair of sandals ("Birkenstock")
• 1 sun-hat (sombrero, black)
• 1 headkerchief with eye-shade
• 1 sunglasses with case (to be attached to the rucksack)
• 1 set of knife, fork, and spoon
• 1 plastic plate (soup plate)
• 1 plastic cup
• 2 dish-sponges
• 1 flashlight, imitation of the "Maglite AA" with batteries
• 1 candle
• 1 lighter
• 1 whistle
• 1 deck of cards (skat)
• 1 pen knife (swissmade, the ones with the +)
• 1 alarmclock, on a rope
• 1 cord (strong, for kites, several meters, used as clothes-line)
• 1 small bag, worn across the belly, for documents etc.
• 1 purse on a rope, to be worn around the neck
• 1 normal purse
• 1 toilet-set with
  • 1 small mirror
  • 1 hairbrush
  • 1 shaver
  • 1 tube of shaving cream
  • 1 toothbrush
  • 1 sun lotion (sun protection factor 16)
  • 1 lip balm (sun protection factor 10)
  • 1 soap
  • 100 ml neutral soap ("outdoor allround")
  • 1 tweezers
• 1 roll of toilet paper
• 2 wash cloths
• 2 handkerchiefs
• 2 water bottles (polyethylene, as beverages often come in)
• 10 muesli chocolate bar plus some sandwiches with salami for the way there
• several plastic bags
• identity card
• driver's license
• student id
• post-office savings book with card
• cash (700 FF, 100 DM)
• xerox of the health insurance policy
• addresses for postcards
• ferry prospects
• train tickets

"I hit the spot quite well with my equipment, I'd compile it almost unchanged that way again if I'd do the trip again. My sleeping bag (comfort range -4°C/25°F, extreme range -10°C/14°F) was too warm for this trip, a thin hostel sleeping bag (combined with the fleece jacket when necessary) would have done the job (and it would have been lighter and more comfortable in the warm tent). But if we'd also done the northern, more alpine part of the GR 20 the warm sleeping bag possibly would have been indispensable. Same is true for the rain garments: I didn't need them, but if things would have shown out the other way... Next time I'd replace Christian's reflex camera (1300g, a bit difficult to operate for non-skilled like me, bulky) with my pocket camera (automatic, zoom 105mm, 450g). The pen knife and the whistle are dispensable."