hendrik morkel (Unsplash)
If you are thinking of doing or organizing a great trekking adventure for several days through one of the great routes that we have in the Cantabrian Mountains, such as the Ring of Peaks that runs through the three Picos de Europa massifs, the Natural Path of the Cantabrian Mountains, the Reconquista Route or some journey that takes you further such as the famous Camino de Santiago, the demanding Trans-Pyrenees or simply a route of more than 50 km that will take you more than a day, it is It is important that you make sure that you have a good organization of the route, but also that you are very clear about all the material that you will have to take with you during those days.
Do not forget that these types of long routes are journeys in which you will normally have the option of spending the night and having lunch or dinner in a refuge or hostel, although you will also have the alternative of bivouacing abroad and taking everything with you what is necessary for each day. Whichever option you choose and in any of the cases, you will need more than one day to do it and you will also have to decide what to take in your backpack for the entire journey. This is a task that at first glance may seem complicated, especially since if you exceed the weight you will have to carry it on your back from the first to the last day and because you cannot forget or miss any important element for the simple fact of carrying less weight in the backpack.
Precisely for all this, in 'De Montaña por Asturias' we wanted to make it a little easier for you by compiling a list of materials that cannot be missing on your great route. Take note.
hendrik morkel (Unsplash)
Trekking backpack: The recommended backpack capacity for a multi-day hike ranges from 35 to 60 liters, depending on the number of days the hike will last and of course the material you will need for it. A material that will increase especially if you need to carry a tent or mat to sleep outdoors or if you need to bring food for several days, in which case we recommend that you opt for a backpack between 45 and 60 liters. The weather will also influence and if you need to bring more warm or waterproof clothing. But above all, you will have to make sure that it is a backpack that is comfortable and that can adapt perfectly to your back, do not forget that during those days the backpack will be another part of you during all stages.
Water: On any route, water is always essential and even more so when it comes to multi-day routes. We must not forget that dehydration in the mountains is unfortunately something very common and also dangerous, especially if we are not lucky enough to find drinking sources, rivers or lakes along the way. Water, in addition to keeping us hydrated and helping us avoid heat stroke, will also be of great help to acclimatize to the altitude if the route involves a large unevenness, so do not skimp on weight when it comes to carrying water and opt for bottles or canteens that maintain the temperature of the water so that it stays cool.
Sun protection: Although we associate sun cream, sunglasses and a hat only with summer, these two elements should never be missing in any hiking backpack or on a trip to the mountains, especially if we want to avoid it in the future skin or vision problems Make sure you choose sunglasses with 100% UVA protection, a sun cream with high protection and of course don't forget to protect your head with a cap. You will appreciate the latter especially when you have been walking for several hours without stopping and without a good shadow.
A good mountain shoe: Trekking shoes or mountain boots? This is the great dilemma when it comes to choosing the right shoe to face any hiking route and even more important when that shoe will have to accompany us for more than 50 km and for several days. Although an option that never fails is to opt for good mountain boots that protect the ankle area to avoid sprains and whose sole guarantees good grip on difficult terrain, trekking shoes have also been gaining followers on this type of route. because it is a lighter and more comfortable option.
Whichever option you choose, make sure that it is a shoe that protects your feet, that it has a good grip on the sole, that it is resistant and, above all, that you feel comfortable walking long distances with. Another good option is to opt for a model with a Gore-Tex membrane that is breathable and prevents water from entering in case of rain or going through muddy or swampy terrain, something that will ensure that your feet stay dry throughout the journey. It is important that you choose the option you choose, make sure you prevent yourself from the typical blisters, scratches and other problems that can appear during a long route. A good way to make sure can be to put on the boots or trekking shoes several days or weeks before to check that it is the footwear that you want to take on the route.
The three layers: Who has never heard of the 3 layers when choosing the right clothes to go out to the mountains or to do any hiking trail? This is the most prudent way of dressing and would imply wearing a first layer such as a short or long-sleeved thermal shirt that allows us to get warm but without retaining moisture and keeping us dry, a second layer that could be a fleece lining to retain heat and a third layer such as a windbreaker or waterproof jacket. Of course, in high mountain terrain or in places where we know that temperatures can drop sharply even in summer, it will not hurt to also include a light down jacket and some light breathable shirts.
Gloves and hat also in summer: Despite being in the middle of summer, the thermometers can always drop and more in the last and first hours of the day or especially in the north. One more than enough reason to always include thermal gloves and a hat in your backpack. Two essential accessories that you will surely miss at some point if you leave them at home. In addition, their weight and the space they occupy is minimal, so there is no reason why you should not include them in your backpack.
Shoes for rest and dry socks: For multi-day trekking outings, you can't forget to bring rest shoes to put on at the end of each stage or even when you arrive at the refuges or lodges, if you choose that option. Also, do not forget to include extra dry socks to prevent your feet from getting cold after finishing each day and especially to have a spare if the rain or humidity plays a trick on you. We recommend that you choose socks that fit closely to the foot, made of synthetic fiber and without seams, and also thicker ones to retain heat and use at the end of the day.
Although currently most of the routes are perfectly signposted, it must always be clear that this will not ensure that we cannot get lost and that we can make a mistake at some point along the way. Precisely for this reason, it is important that we have some essential elements to face this situation.
Map and compass: A map and a compass are always two recommended items to take with us, but as long as we know how to use them.
GPS: In recent years, this element has become a great favorite for fans of the mountains and hiking trails. And it is that, it not only keeps us informed of our position and altitude, but also of the route, points of interest and many other details that will facilitate the route. Be sure to bring spare batteries or an external battery and do not leave the map at home, do not forget that the GPS can also break down.
Nomad Bikers (Unsplash)
If during your long route it is not part of your plans to sleep in a refuge or hostel, then you will need to take the following items with you:
Tent or tarp: Dimensions, weight, characteristics, resistance to inclement weather... All this is what you will have to take into account when choosing a tent for a long route. Depending on the use you are going to give it, the budget and the weather you may have along the route, you can opt for one model or another. The best option is double-roofed and lightweight tents, in this type of tent you will not have moisture problems due to condensation and you will also be safe from rain and cold. In the event that you plan to sleep outdoors without a tent and bivouacking, the best option is to carry an awning or tarp in your backpack, a lighter alternative that will act as a roof protecting you from humidity, but unlike the tent, will not keep you isolated from the ground.
Mat or mat: Whether you decide on a classic padded mat or an inflatable mat, it will be important that it isolate you from the ground, that it is not too heavy and, above all, that it is comfortable and resistant for sleeping outdoors.
Sleeping bag and bivy cover: The bags are graduated according to the temperature they withstand, something that will also depend on whether you are a cold person or not and on the weather you expect during the route. You will also have to choose between a fiber or down bag, the latter being the warmest, the lightest and also the most expensive. To do routes in summer and with good weather, a light bag of about 10 or 15º is enough, while for high mountains in summer or if we expect lower temperatures, a bag that resists even lower temperatures is recommended.
Another essential for sleeping outdoors is a good bivouac cover that is waterproof and breathable. This will keep you isolated from moisture and condensation. On the market there are currently bivy covers of all categories depending on the fabric and efficiency that range from 75 to 200 euros.
The poles are great allies to reduce the impact on the legs and knees during a hiking activity, this is one of the reasons why they have become an essential element for any hiking outing. An essential for which you will also have to choose the option that best suits you and your pocket. Choose light poles that are also resistant, but above all have a comfortable locking system, either through buttons, threaded, clamps or clamps, the latter being the great favorites due to the speed of adjustment. It is also important that they have a handle that ensures a good grip and a material that prevents sweating, such as cork or foam.
- First-aid kit with thermal blanket, plasters, bandages, hydrogen peroxide and some other solution for wound treatment, saline solution, suture package, disposable gloves, gauze, cotton, surgical tape, scissors, water purification tablets, anti-inflammatories and analgesics , rehydration salts, tweezers, whistle, ointment for bumps and a patch to cure blisters
- Federal license or accident insurance and DNI
- Toiletries
- Waterproof cover to insulate the backpack from rain and humidity
- Waterproof inner bag to insulate clothing or plastic bags
- Plastic bags to store the waste and garbage that you generate during the trekking
- Front panel and spare batteries
- Razor
- Mobile and portable battery
Diogo Lavares (Unsplash)
From these essentials, the rest of the material will depend on each person, the type of route we are going to face, the weather conditions and whether, for example, we are going to bring food or not. In which case we will have to include in the backpack all the necessary food for each day, in addition to camping gas, lighter or lighter...