50 essential items to bring for treks in the north * Mikael Strandberg

What equipment do I need to bring on a trek in the far north this time of the year?

Summer time when nature just has rid itself of spring colors and getting ready to invite an even more colorful autumn?

Most likely hot days, on and off rain, but still quite crisp and clear nights?

These were questions I ask myself whilst packing this week for a two week hike in the Scandinavian mountains. A great hike I have done many times over. So, I browsed through my old papers from my time living in the north and found this one, which I would like to share with my readers. It is based on the knowledge of flooded rivers, still some snow at high altitude, possibly continuous rain, mist and difficult orienteering.

The list is based on two people sharing stove, tent, axe, saw and gas.

Backpack
Raincover for backpack
Garbage bag plus 2 spare ones, to pack all things in and tucked in the backpack
Tent (3 season)

3 season sleeping bag
Therma Rest plus a traditional foam pad (Not the thickest)
2 layered Gore tex jacket with hood and trousers
Gaiters
Boots
Trainers or type Teva sandels
Trousers
Long sleeved shirt
Vest
Underwear (3 pairs, one long john and two shorties, we will wash along the trek)
Socks (2 thin, 2 thick)
Tophat (Termo)
Baseball Cap American style or similar (light is strong on the mountain)
Gloves
Warmer style top hat
Towl (small one)

Toilettries (personal use ,e.g small soap, tooth paste, toothbrush, 2 rolls of toilet paper)
Medical bag (aspirin, bandaid, bandage, rennies, Compeed, tape for feet, mosquito repellent, Volcan knee cover)
Sun lotion, small tube
Lip balm
Sunglasses
Plastic cup, utensils ( I only bring a spoon)
Stove and gas
Lighter
Jukka stick
Leatherman tool
Compass
Map
Mapcover in plastic
Headlamp (even though we have 24 hours of daylight almost, but a simple back up)
Camera

Binocular
Mobile phone
Satellite phone
Small solar panel
IPAD
Dry bags to carry these items in
A book
Axe
Saw
Food for ten days (You said you would bring your breakfast, I will get lunch and dinner. Pack breakfast for 12 days in good sturdy bags, 2 as backup, trip will be 10 days. On top of that, what do you want, coffee and/or tea? And also do 10 bags, one for each day of trail food, like chocolate, nuts and so on. I will get bread here with some stuff to stick on. 2 slices per day per person.)