Shakedown for Kungsleden, northern Sweden July 2019

The wife and I will be hiking Kungsleden from the southern terminus at Hemavan and as far as we can go in the 3-4 weeks we have available.

The first week will be hut to hut, but after that there will be a couple of stretches where we will be tenting. After that we'll see where we are, stay in the huts or tent as we feel like.

I expect the trail to be fairly well maintained and not to hard going, but then again we're old and slow.

Stat's says that it will rain 20 out of 30 days, but previous experience in the area is of frequent but moderate rain showers. It can end up being nothing but rain, but then I doubt we'll last 3 weeks or more.

Temperatures between light frost and 15 degrees, although I think last year the European heatwave extended even that far north.

Water is plenty everywhere and filtration not needed.

Most huts have a shop with basic foods so , except for the hut less stretches where we expect to carry 5 days of food, we expect not to carry much, we expect not to carry much food.
We're not really planning to cook much just heating water for re hydrating freeze dried stuff, oatmeal porridge and coffee.

https://lighterpack.com/r/6j4fk has my packing list. Notice that I've included all the shared gear as I'm likely to carry most of it anyway.

I'd like some feedback on the stuff I'm bringing, escpecially:
Is the rainjacket to light for heavy rains and wind
Will I hate not bringing boots. I've loved my trailrunners in the Pyrenees, but that was hot and dry.
Marmot or OR fleece?

I need a pillow and the wide sleeping pad to avoid back problems. Haven't tried an inflatable pillow and now its to late to change such a vital component.

Thanks

Hi Frank, sounds like a great trip to look forward to....
I would ignore me, as my pack needs a good shakedown every time...


Things that jump out at me with yours....
OR Deviator
I'm a big OR Deviator fan and have used them for the past couple of years, maybe 3? for work, hike, camp and run.
Trust it, pair it with the right base and it will do all you ask and more... I'd Leave the fleece.

Abisko tights... I've fancied these for a while... But they are heavy for a tight
!
Stakes.... Do you need so many or. Is it that they are very heavy?

Plastic plate seems heavy... How about cutting a piece of plastic to the size you need from some food packaging or a cheap plastic cutting board?

Trangia handle... Drill holes in it or cut a 3rd of it off?

Pole extender? Lash the two poles together or do you need two separate poles for the shelter?

Pack liner seems very heavy... Two lighter weight ones maybe better?

Towel seems heavy, it's amazing how dry you can get if you use a small piece of foam dishcloth or one of the longlife tissue type wipes ( I've had a few trips with mine and used it after showers)

Sweat wipe.... Let your buff do that or have a smaller piece of microfiber

Compass seems heavy? Did you get it from a ship

Hope you can get some help from my view?
Definately Trust the deviator

What he says

If you were really trying you could probably shave a few grams here and there, lighter plate, FAK, towel, pegs etc

I didn't see fuel, glasses (you have glasses cleaner listed) cables for the phone charging, torch, basic repair kit with repair kit for the sleeping mat, bit of cordage, duct tape and the like, toilet paper/wipes, spare undies, sunglasses

What about mossies, No idea but i've seen videos with the sky turning dark they're that many
If it's likely i'd want headnet and mossie spray

Only other thing i'd personally change is to ditch the wool
Wet weather + wool is a nightmare for me

Hi

Looks a lot like what I would use. Two "must haves" are missing, I think, sun screen and most important bug repellent.

Unless you know the Abisko tights can keep bugs out, consider Permethin (treat the long sleeve T-shirt at the same time) or other pants. I have read somewhere that bugs bite through the Abisko Pants. This is not instead of bug repellent.

I would carry a 2-3 l water container of some kind. It makes it so much more convenient in a camp that isn't right next to a stream.

I would have a separate dry sack for quilt and cloths I sleep in. I would not not say that it is absolutely necessary, but if you have experienced how 5-6 days of constant rain can slowly penetrate all rain protection, having sleeping gear in something you don't have to open outside the tent comes natural.

Repair kit, are you not bringing that?

If your maps comes over say 200g you bought the wrong ones. You should go for the tyvek ones. Better then paper in every way.

I like your choice to start in Hemavan and go north instead of the standard Abisko - Nikkaloukta. Much less crowded. A few years back cash was needed for boat trips, I would check that before I go there are boat crossings on the stretch you intend to go. (I haven't done this parts of Kungsleden myself.)

gixer said:

What he says

I didn't see fuel, glasses (you have glasses cleaner listed) cables for the phone charging, torch, basic repair kit with repair kit for the sleeping mat, bit of cordage, duct tape and the like, toilet paper/wipes, spare undies, sunglasses

Click to expand...

No need for torch in Lapland in July. It will never get dark.

We did the northern part with the kids 15 years ago. Loved it in spite of carrying 30+ kg
Mosquitoes are definitely a problem, and I've forgot the head nets well be bringing.
I ordered permethrin today and will spray everything. Didn't do that 15 years ago and hiking in running tights we fine back then. But the bug pressure was so bad that we just retreated to the tent when they came out in the evening. I'm hoping permethrin helps, also against thicks.

gixer said:

didn't see fuel, glasses (you have glasses cleaner listed) cables for the phone charging, torch, basic repair kit with repair kit for the sleeping mat, bit of cordage, duct tape and the like, toilet paper/wipes, spare undies, sunglasses

-----

Only other thing i'd personally change is to ditch the wool
Wet weather + wool is a nightmare for me

Click to expand...

I'll bring the repair kit for the pad, but was not planning on other repair kits. Glasses will be worn, but I've missed the spare ones. Blind as a bat without them. Might bring contact lenses in stead.
Toilet paper and hand sanitizer needed as well.

Wool may be less optimal when wet, but I hate the way synthetics smells after you've used them for a few hours.

Phermethin helps against bugs at least. I have never herd of anyone getting ticks up there so it should not be an issue.

I haven’t hiked southern Kungsleden so can’t give specific info for that, but I hike with trail runners all the time in the Swedish mountains, both on and off trails. I would say it’s perfectly fine, especially if you’re going to keep to trails. You do have to be ok with some wet feet though, unless the weather is exceptionally dry.

Can mosquitoes bite through the tights? In July they might be abundant.
I like merino, especially in wet Scandinavian weather.

Both the fleeces seem pretty heavy to me. Often in mid summer I only bring t-shirt + long sleeved merino + wind breaker (mosquito proof) + rain jacket + puffy, add a thin fleece for June and September. I’m warm when moving though, and use the puffy for breaks and camp. If you run a little bit colder a fleece is probably a good idea, and for a 3-4 week trip I might choose to bring one too even mid summer since you can’t get such a long term weather forecast. I would go with a lighter one though.

I’ve mostly moved away from packing a towel, and just air dry after swimming or showering, can really recommend trying. The need for a towel might be much less than you think. The trips I actually do sometime still bring one for are hut trips here in Sweden though, since some of them have such excellent wood-fired saunas. It would be fine to just have a small tea towel-sized one to sit on and for drying off, but I like having a big enough one to wrap around me. I’m female though.

What maps are you planning on using? 500g seems way over. I would really recommend the ones from Calazo, made in Tyvek so are fine getting wet and don’t break. Also printed on both sides, weight efficient. They vary a bit in size but I have the one I use the most listed as 36g on my lighter pack. I prefer 1:50 000, but they might only be available in 1:100 000 for the Southern Kungsleden area? If you plan on keeping to the trail that should be fine though.

Frank said:

I'll bring the repair kit for the pad, but was not planning on other repair kits. Glasses will be worn, but I've missed the spare ones. Blind as a bat without them. Might bring contact lenses in stead.
Toilet paper and hand sanitizer needed as well.

Wool may be less optimal when wet, but I hate the way synthetics smells after you've used them for a few hours.

Click to expand...

Repair kit doesn't need to be much
Bit of spare cordage is useful for extra tieouts (if it gets windy or if you have problems with your current tieouts) handy as a make shift clothes line, can be used for spare laces as well
I've never had a tieout cord fail, but i'd had them fray after rubbing against rocks

Bit of Gorilla tape, couple of small tiewraps, cuban tape (fixes holes in waterproofs and my tent)

Each to their own, if you prefer wool then that's your choice

I've been using solely synthetic baselayers for a couple of years now, i've not had a problem with smell
Bear in mind i live in Greece so sweat is usually more of a problem here than rain (unless fellow trek-liters visit )

I really rate Nike's dri-fit stuff
Soft against the skin, dries quickly, doesn't stink and is as warm as my 260 icebreaker tops but is cheaper and lasts a LOT longer

I've got and have used merino tops, last straw for me was shivering away in a 260 weight Icebreaker cause i couldn't get it dry enough to provide any warmth over 2 days
Wrong it out, tried using body heat to dry it out a bit, nothing, ended up taking it off as i was warmer

Terrible terrible material for anything that needs any sort of activity in my opinion

I'll shut up now

Re.the plastic plate - change it for a metal plate, Titanium is probably lightest, and you can drop the pot lid as it will do duty as both.
Plastic is harder to wash than metal - fats tend to "cling" to the surfaceof plastic.

cathyjc said:

Re.the plastic plate - change it for a metal plate, Titanium is probably lightest, and you can drop the pot lid as it will do duty as both.
Plastic is harder to wash than metal - fats tend to "cling" to the surfaceof plastic.

Click to expand...

I've just made an Alu lid for the pot. It's flat so could gødo double duty as a plate. Good idea, I don't think it will have enough food contact to be a health issue

Thanks for all your reply's

Some things to take out of the list, some to add. I think the net result is a better list at the same weight.

A few comments:

• I'll trust the Deviator (-80g)
• Towel - I'll see if we have something lighter. I have a microfiber cloth at 50g, but are looking forward to the wood fired saunas and it's barely large enough to sit on so ..
• Tights - I prefer hiking in tights and the Abisko tights are a new (bloody expensive) addition. Taking the weather into considereation, I think they'll be worn most of the time so the weight is not that bad.
• Pole extender - haven't tried lashing the poles together. I am worried that it's not strong enough. Will try it if I have the time. (potentially - 100g)
• Peg's - Ill have to go through it again, may be able to leave a couple behind
• Pack liner - standard danish trash bag. Very durable. I have a hard time making myself pay £7.6 for 4 plastic bags even though they will be lighter and in the grander scheme it's a drop in the ocean (no pun intended)
• Sweat wipe - as it's not the sunny Pyrenees it'l go (-55g)
• Compass - trusty old orienteering friend that I'll stick to. Might be an error, I'll weigh it again later
• Trangia handle - at least it's bomb proof. Might have a go at making one myself but doubt there's more that 20 g to be found
• Head net - definitely (+25g)
• Sun screen - Yes (+170g)
• Insect repellat - djungleolja (+57)
• Bug roll and hand sanitizer (+50g +200g)
• Alcohol - and bottle is indeed required (+25g +500g)
• Repair kit - duct tape wrapped around trekking pole, sleeping pad repair kit, extra cord etc. (+100g)
• Maps - It's a wild guess, so far I'm just hoping they'll get here before we take off
• Sunglasses - doubles as spare glasses (+115 g)
• Plate - dropped, lid will do double duty (-40g)

Without the consumables it's -170g with a further potential in some areas, but also adding 265g.

I've updated the lighterpack list

I use alcohol as hand sanitizer, might be worth decanting sunscreen etc into a smaller bottle or taking a travel size bottle?

"Sunglasses - doubles as spare glasses (+115 g)"
Something to think about perhaps?
Do you have a dedicated pair of extra (spare) sunnies? Sounds like you are taking just the one pair.
I reckon if you are out of doors for that long the glare might be a real problem?
Would be for me and the loss of them would be a severe problem.
I always have spare sunnies on me.
Have a great time.

Hand sanitiser ? - I never carry it in the Scottish Highlands (not dissimilar evironment ) - there is always some water source nearby in which to rinse your hands.

PS - In a hot climate with fewer water sources then yes its a good idea.

Re poles... It's down to the lashing technique, too hard to explain, but before we got a dedicated pole (we need our trekking poles when away from camp) I used them with the handles in the middle and the points top and bottom.
Lashing involved, using the loops and lashing around the poles.
We used them on an MLD supermid... They were very solid and trusted. This way, we could still adjust the height for pitch variation.

Chiseller said:

Lashing involved, using the loops and lashing around the poles.

Click to expand...

We also use two poles handle alongside handle to hold up an Octopeak. The poles are the type with a reasonable length of foam extending below the handle, which allows for a good and still snug overlap. I've made up two velcro ties that in effect make a figure of eight round the adjacent handles, and then continue into an "O" shaped loop around the outside of the figure of eight. Two of these, one at the top of the overlap and one at the bottom seem to make a pretty robust pole.

cathyjc said:

Hand sanitiser ? - I never carry it in the Scottish Highlands (not dissimilar evironment ) - there is always some water source nearby in which to rinse your hands.

Click to expand...

I agree for nights in tent, but they can be handy in the huts.