Backpack Tours
Equipment list for backpack tours

Boots and clothing:
Hiking Boots –The boots should be of leather (or leather and synthetic) with high cut to give sufficient ankle support. Preferably the sole should be soft but robust. Gore-Tex or alternative waterproof membrane is a preferable extra.
Long sleeve shirt (thermal underwear) – Wool or synthetic.
Long Johns (thermal underwear) – Wool or synthetic.
Light wool sweater or fleece (2nd layer).
Warm jacket/sweater – Wool or fleece (3rd layer).
Trousers (2nd layer) – Strong and light material that dries quickly. Wind resistant and water repelling preferable.
Rain Jacket or an Anorak with hood – Preferably waterproof and breathable material (Gore-Tex or equivalents).
Rain trousers – Waterproof and breathable material.
Liner Gloves – Wool or synthetic (polypropylene / polyester).
Mittens – Wool or synthetic (optionally waterproof). Two pairs if no Liner Gloves.
Socks – Wool or synthetic. Two or three pairs for thermal and blister prevention.
Hat or Balaclava – Wool or synthetic.

Other gear:
Backpack – (woman size: 50-60 liters – man size: 60-75 liters).
River shoes – Old pair of light sneakers do nicely to ford the rivers. Open sandals are not sufficient for the purpose. Optional are neoprene sock for higher comfort.
Sleeping bag – Down or fiber. Aim for light weight and warm bags. We recommend goose down with high “fill power” or top of the line synthetic bags.
Insulation mattress – A foam mattress (11 mm) will do, but newer light weight air mattresses insulate as well and are more comfortable.
Towel – A light weight and packable one.
Toothbrush.
Sunglasses – Big enough to cover the eyes and with sufficient UV-protection.
Sun protection.
Camera, spare batteries and a memory card or films.
Water container – plastic bottle (pet plastic).

Optional gear:
Walking Poles.
Gaiters – Calf or knee height and wide enough for your boots.
Neoprene socks – A preferable item on trips where we have to cross many rivers.
Pen knife.
Sun/rain Hat or a Cap.
Thermal mat (for lunch breaks).

Equipment lists for different tours
Alpine Mountaineering – Day Tours
Equipment list for Alpine style mountain accents
Boots and Clothing:
Hiking Boots – Preferably of waterproof material (Gore-Tex or alternative).
The boots should be high on the ankle to give sufficient support and thermal protection. Rigid Mountaineering boots can be rented but might be too stiff for the purpose.
Gaiters – Calf or knee height and wide enough for your boots.
Long sleeve shirt (thermal underwear) – Wool or synthetic.
Long Johns (thermal underwear) – Wool or synthetic.
Light wool sweater or fleece (2nd layer).
Warm Jacket – Wool or fleece (3rd layer).
Trousers (2nd layer) – Strong and light material that dries quickly.
Wind resistant and water repelling preferable.
Rain Jacket or an Anorak with hood – Waterproof and breathable material. Gore-Tex or equivalents are preferable.
Rain trousers – Waterproof and breathable material.
Liner Gloves – Wool or synthetic (polypropylene / polyester).
Mittens – Wool or synthetic (optionally waterproof) (two pairs if no Liner Gloves)
Socks – Wool or synthetic. One or two pairs for thermal and blister prevention.
Hat and a Balaclava – Wool or synthetic.

Other gear:
Backpack – 30-45 liters.
Sunglasses – Big enough to cover the eyes and with sufficient UV-protection.
Sun protection.
Camera, spare batteries and a memory card or films.
Optional gear:
Walking Poles.
Sun/rain Hat or a Baseball cap
Thermal mat (for lunch breaks)
Ski-goggles for accents to the end of April.
Wind- and waterproof mittens (for accents to the end of April)

Food and drink:
Lunch-bag – Sandwiches, biscuit, power-bars etc.
Water – 3 Liters of water and/or sport drink.
Warm drink – Te, Hot-Chocolate or alternative. (Volume can be subtracted from total water!)

Food and water:
During the climb many short brakes will be made. A little bite of chocolate during those brakes helps to keep energy levels high. Two or more longer brakes will be made where some chocolate along with sandwiches is good nourishment. Every season a few do not make the summit for physical reasons, in most cases this is due to muscle cramps. The best way to fight them is by drinking lots of water. An energy drink with minerals and salts also helps, never use higher concentration than recommended by the manufacturer since that will risk dehydration. Store the water so that you can reach it while wearing a backpack and drink regularly throughout the day. Drink and eat well before heading off in the morning. Even if you are fit and cramps not likely to be a problem, fluid intake is the best way to keep up your strength. Drink, drink some more and then have some chocolates!

Note: All gear should be wrapped in plastic bags before packing it in the backpack.

Why cotton kills?
Cotton (etc. normal T-shirts and jeans) is nice and comfortable when dry but loosens all its insulation properties when wet and takes hours to dry therefore risking hypothermia. On a strenuous climb to the summit the perspiration alone will make a cotton shirt soaking wet! Therefore all inner clothing should be woolen or fleece/polyester, as those materials keep their insulation properties when wet, which is essential for Icelandic conditions. Therefore, avoid all cotton materials, and jeans should never be worn during mountain tours.