Gear list for a long winter hike

This gear list is a general guideline. For first-time hikers we recommend to follow the list. Experienced hikers are free to customize their own list.

Make sure to pack your sleeping bag and clothes in waterproof bags.

Some gear (skis, tents) can be rented from Soopa, please contact the equiptment master for details. Contacts must be made at least two weeks in advance!

Personal gear

	hiking skis (forest skis) + bindings to the skis	Test the skis and bindings beforehand.
	skiing sticks/poles with big rings	there will be a lot of snow, so small rings will not carry your weight.
	backpack + rain cover,  or ahkio	At least 60 litres, preferably 70-80
	sleeping bag	A good winter bag or two inside each other. With two bags sum the comfort values and then add -15 and you will get the comfort value for combined bags.
	trekking mattress	2-3 cm of isolation, use two if in doubt.
	skiing boots + linings + extra linings	Or skiing shoes that fit your bindings

Clothing

It is important to protect your body from wind, moisture and cold. Wearing several thin layers of clothing and adding or taking them off when necessary helps keeping you comfortable.

	Windproof jacket with hood	Jacket should also be waterproof /resistant
	windproof trousers	Preferably also moisture repellent fabric. Trousers and jacket should overlap by 30-40cm. Because the wind in open tundra is very harsh.
	technical underwear and spares	merino wool or polypropylene etc. No cotton!
	warm cap	windproof
	gloves	windproof
	socks	No cotton.
	warm jacket for breaks	down etc., necessary
	quilted trousers
	sweater or fleece jacket
	Wool trousers etc.
	baclava, scarf
	spare gloves
	spare socks, underwear	No cotton!

Personal oddments

	sunglasses	Absolutely necessary. Spares would be also good to have
	sun lotion	Sun on spring snow burns skin easily. Sun Protection Factor should be at least 30 and even more if you do not get tan easily.
	European Health Insurance Card, EHIC	if some accident happens during hike in Sweden or Norway then with a valid EHIC grants you access to medically necessary, healthcare and you only pay a user fee.
	toilet paper	1-2 rolls. Pack waterproof!
	toothbrush and paste
	newspaper pages	for drying boots
	trash bag	for both you and a friend
	compass
	map	from SOOPA
	plastic cover	for map
	knife	sharp, for kindling etc.
	Head lamp	necessary, it’s going to be dark. You might need to ski with its light.
	spare batteries	for lamp, cold kills batteries fast.
	skiing wax	prepare for different conditions.
	matches	waterproof, consider multiple separately packed packs.
	candles	light and stove-boosting
	irtoremmejä	teltan, lapioiden ym. kiinnittämiseen
	skiing goggles	for blizzards
	face mask	for cold and wind
	personal medicine
	lip salve
	plaster	Compeed and regular
	painkillers
	sanitary towels
	freshen-up towels	or desinfection liquid
	tissues
	comb

Food

	plastic cup, plate & cutlery	in a canvas bag	approx. 0,5 kg
	flask	at least 1 l, hang it under your jacket somehow.	2 kg full
	thermos flask	necessary, at least 0,75 l.	1-1,5 kg full
	thermos flask for food	0,75l large mouth for lunch, necessary.	1-1,5 kg full
	food	breakfast, lunch, dinner	4-5 kg
	small nibbles	raisins, nuts, chocolate, cookies, dry fruit	100-200 g/day
	condiments	salt, sugar, pepper, chili for taste
	drinks	powdered milk, chocoa powder, coffee, tea etc.

Luxuries

Unnecessary, but nice

	camera	Memory card and battery.
	playing cards
	cabin shoes	easier to walk around
	dish towel	dries dishes faster, 1 per food pair
	snow brush
	clothespins	for hanging clothes.
	seat cover	For sitting on cold cabin benches or snow.
	extra spoon, cup etc,
	earplugs

Sauna bag

For after the hike

	Food & drink for first day	ready from home, unless group decides otherwise.
	clean clothes	’ei välttämätön’, mutta mukava myös vieruskaverille
	Sauna gear (towel, soap, swimsuit etc.)	can be on hike
	food for return trip	It’s a long journey.

Group gear

approx. 2-5 kg per person. Group can decide on how weight is split if necessary. You don’t personally have to own everything, group can agree on how to get the needed equipment. Tents from Soopa

	Tent	Necessary, there might not always be a cabin available
	Stoves	1 stove/2 people, 2 litres of fuel (sprit or gasoline) per stove per week. Or 3 pcs 450g winter gas cartridges.
	spade	1 – 2 light spades/ group.
	First aid	plasters, disinfectant, dressing, cast, pain killer etc
	repair kit	iron wire, thread, needles, duct tape
	thermometer
	pen
	hike diary	from SOOPA
	spare skiing stick/pole
	spare ski tip/nose	only for wooden skis.  From SOOPA
	GPS	doesn’t replace map + compass!
	axe	For firewood and water holes
	cooking and dishwashing gear	spatula, brush etc.