Gear

Read all about what I put in my pack for a thru-hike, how I use it and test it on the trail.

Escalante Route Gear List

Escalante Route Gear List

For the Escalante Route in the Grand Canyon I carried a lot more weight on my back than on other hikes. Some of the extra load consisted of luxury items, but most of it was absolutely necessary for canyon hiking. The cold night temperatures and harsh wilderness terrain necessitated special gear.

read more
Trail Food: a Hiker’s Breakfast

Trail Food: a Hiker’s Breakfast

I have been buying different brands of trail food breakfasts for a few years.  But once I became aware that these expensive meals were not much different from what I make myself for breakfast at home, I started preparing my own hiker’s breakfast.

read more
Gearlist 2020

Gearlist 2020

When I first started backpacking, I had a heavy Fjalräven backpack and a total weight of about 25 kg on my back. Especially since my first major thru-hike in 2018 in the High Sierra, I have been lowering my pack weight significantly. For my last thru-hike on the Swiss Haute Route I brought my base weight down with another 700 grams, to just about 6,8  kg (15 pounds).

read more
Solar Charger review: the Flybox

Solar Charger review: the Flybox

Like most hikers, I want to be able to charge my smartphone, wether on a thru-hike or a multi day section hike. I have compared different options and finally chose the Flybox Solar power bank to carry on my SEKI Loop thru hike in the summer of 2018. 

read more
My High Sierra Gear List

My High Sierra Gear List

Preparing my thru-hike in California’s High Sierra, I have read and viewed many gear lists that have inspired me to compile my own. Except for my hiking pants and shirt, my boots and my iPhone, everything I will carry in the High Sierra this summer is on the above photograph. Read on for the complete list.

read more
A Big Knife & 4 Other Things I Don’t Need on the Trail

A Big Knife & 4 Other Things I Don’t Need on the Trail

Preparing a 162,4 mile (261 km) hike I am critical about what to carry on the trail. Although I am not an ultra light hiker, I do keep a spreadsheet with the weight of all my gear. Trying to keep my base weight (full backpack without food & water) below 18 pounds (9 kg), I still bring stuff that I do not really need on the trail.

read more