PACKING & SAFETY
SAFETY IN THE MOUNTAINS
Safety in the mountains is at all times our highest priority. Winter puts on its pretty white coat but this also brings new risks to the mountains such as avalanches, cold, poor visibility and bad weather. The word avalanche in itself is sometimes enough to put people off the idea of venturing out, yet this risk is really very limited, particularly when you are with a trained mountain professional whose main task is to keep everyone safe while they are enjoying themselves.
Throughout winter, the level of risk is monitored by Meteo France, who publish a risk scale. Your guide uses this information and also has extensive training and experience in this field. They know the ‘safe’ places to go, those which combine beauty with low risk, and according to the time of season and past snowfall, will adapt each day’s itinerary to remain within this safety boundary. This is one reason why published itineraries in winter are often simply a guidance – the actual itinerary often varies depending on snow and weather conditions. Your guide’s task is to choose the best itinerary each day based on conditions and their assessment of the group’s capabilities. This may well involve changes in accommodation which the guide will not hesitate to organise if necessary.
For all our ski touring and snow shoeing outings an avalanche transceiver (ARVA) is an essential item. This is a device which emits high frequency sounds able to be detected and searched for by someone else with the same device in the case of an avalanche. The use of this must not discourage anyone, rather the contrary. You learn how to use it and as such you are being taught something about the nature of the snow, winter in the mountains and certain survival skills which may will help you to be more self-sufficient in the future, or at least participate actively in any group search if required.
An avalanche transceiver is an expensive item, but along with a shovel and probe, an essential part of winter safety. These are either provided in your tour price or can be hired. Equally important is being well prepared. See our snowshoe packing list, and ski touring packing list to make sure you have the clothing you need to enjoy winter adventures in the mountains.
WINTER TOURS
SKI TOURING PACKING LIST
TECHNICAL EQUIPMENT
• Harness (all tours when on a glacier)
• Ski touring boots & skis
• Skins (glue in good condition)
• Ski & boots crampons
• Poles
• Ice axe (only on some tours – ask if necessary)
• ARVA (avalanche transceiver)
• Snow shovel
• Probe
GENERAL MATERIAL
• Backpack (~40L with strap to carry skis)
• Basic mountaineering clothing (base layer, fleece, jacket)
• Gortex pants or ski pants (+ leggings/tights for underneath)
• Change of clothes for the refuge with a warm light down jacket
• Two pairs of gloves (one warm and one light)
• Warm hat/beanie
• Scarf
• Sun hat, Suncream & Sunglasses
• Goggles/mask
• Head torch (essential for early morning departures)
• Water bottle/thermos
• Sleeping sheet
OTHER & OPTIONAL
Earplugs, Knife, Basic toiletries, Passport, Proof of insurance, Money
Bag of muesli if in Spain or France for breakfast, additional provisions/snacks, book...
WINTER TOURS
SNOWSHOEING PACKING LIST
TECHNICAL EQUIPMENT
(supplied by us and included in price unless you have your own)
• Lightweight plastic snowshoes
• Poles
• ARVA Avalanche Transceiver
• Probe
• Snow Shovel
CLOTHING SUGGESTIONS
• Backpack (40L)
• Basic mountaineering clothing (base layer, fleece, waterproof jacket)
• Light ski pants or waterproof pants (+ leggings/ tights for underneath)
• Gaiters (not essential but good for keeping feet dry)
• Solid, relatively high hiking boots or snow shoeing boots
• Change of clothes with a warm light down jacket
• Two pairs of gloves (one warm and one light)
• Warm hat/beanie, scarf and warm socks
• Sun hat, suncream & sunglasses
• Goggles/mask
• Head torch (for the refuges)
• Personal first aid kit (plasters, compede, paracetamol)
• Water bottle/thermos
• Sleeping sheet (for refuges; blankets are provided)
OTHER & OPTIONAL
Camera, binoculars, earplugs and eye mask, knife, basic toiletries, passport, proof of insurance, cash, swimsuit for thermal baths or a lake swim.
Washer/flannel/small towel
Note: most refuges do not have showers, but occasionally there is one that does – often for a small fee. Water and particularly hot water, is a very big luxury at altitude.
Bag of muesli if in Spain or France for breakfast, additional provisions/snacks, book...
ITEMS IF DOING DAY WALKS ONLY
Day pack for holding water, picnic lunches, snow shovel, extra clothes for evening wear.
SUMMER TOURS
PACKING REFUGE BASED
TECHNICAL EQUIPMENT
• Comfortable walking boots or shoes (3 or 4 season)
• Walking poles (definitely a pair)
Keeping your pack weight to a minimum is the key to a successful trek. You really will do without the extras, and should aim for a pack weight of 7-10 kg.
CLOTHING SUGGESTIONS
• Fleece
• Waterproof jacket (or big plastic poncho)
• Waterproof over trousers (only if you really hate having wet legs!)
• Lightweight puffer jacket for evening comfort in the higher altitude refuges
• Gloves and hat/beanie (for early starts)
• Sun hat or peaked cap + Sunglasses
• One pair shorts
• One pair lightweight walking trousers
• Two T-shirts (anything but cotton, wool is best as it is quick to dry and doesn’t smell. Synthetic is also fine – it smells but it is quick to dry)
• Good quality walking socks
OTHER ESSENTIAL ITEMS
• 40 – 60 litre Rucksack
• Light weight towel
• Sheet sleeping bag liner. No sleeping bags are required as refuges provide mattresses and blankets and pillows.
• Waterproof ruck sack cover or waterproof bags to keep your things dry (unless you have a poncho, in which case this will suffice)
• Sun blocker for face and lips (Factor 50)
• Personal First Aid kit (plasters, Compeed for blisters, paracetamol, desinfectant,...)
• Roll of toilet paper
• Water bottle or Platypus type hydration system – 1.5 to 2 litres
• Penknife
• (Head) torch for use in refuges
• Survival blanket (light foil blanket to keep injured people warm).
OPTIONAL ITEMS
• Change of clothing to include: underwear, tracksuit bottoms/leggings, dry shirt, spare socks (think of things that you can wear to both dinner and bed so you don’t need to change)
• Camera
• Paperback novel (light!)
• Snack bars/dried fruit/chocolate
• Waterproof map case
• Ear plugs (there will inevitably be snorers in the refuge!)
• Buff – good for blocking out light and noise while sleeping, keeping your neck warm, holding your hair etc.
• Swimsuit (our guides do everything they can to find swimming opportunities!)
ADDITIONAL ITEMS FOR INDEPENDENT GROUPS
Compass, Altimeter, GPS/mobile phone with GPS
WHAT YOU DON'T NEED
• Sleeping bags (just a sleeping sheet; the refuges provide blankets)
• Sleeping mat (refuges provide mattresses and a pillow)
• Food (refuges provide breakfast, picnic lunch to take with us and dinner). You might want to bring a bag of oats for breakfast, especially if you’ll be mainly in Spanish refuges, and additional snacks.
• Hair dryers or an extensive range of toiletries!
SUMMER TOURS
PACKING HOTEL BASED
TECHNICAL EQUIPMENT
• Comfortable walking boots or shoes (3 or 4 season)
• Walking poles (definitely a pair)
CLOTHING SUGGESTIONS
• Fleece
• Waterproof jacket (or big plastic poncho)
• Waterproof over trousers (or big plastic poncho)
• Sun hat or peaked cap + Sunglasses
• One pair shorts
• One pair lightweight walking trousers
• Two T-shirts (anything but cotton, wool is best as it is quick to dry and doesn’t smell. Synthetic is also fine – it smells but it is quick to dry)
• Good quality walking socks
OTHER ESSENTIAL ITEMS
• Day pack
• Waterproof ruck sack cover or waterproof bags to keep your things dry
• Sun blocker for face and lips (Factor 50)
• Personal First Aid kit (plasters, Compeed for blisters, paracetamol)
• Water bottle or Platypus type hydration system – 1.5 to 2 litres
• Penknife
• Survival blanket (light foil blanket to keep injured people warm).
OPTIONAL ITEMS
• Camera
• Snack bars/dried fruit/chocolate
• Waterproof map case
• Ear plugs (if you are sensitive to noise, sleeping in different places always means different noises!)
• Buff – good for keeping your neck warm, holding your hair etc.
• Swimsuit (you never know)
ADDITIONAL ITEMS FOR INDEPENDENT GROUPS
Compass, Altimeter, GPS/mobile phone with GPS