Dan & Janine Patitucci are combining their two passions: Photography and Mountaineering. They are both passionate athletes and photographers. Therefore, they bring a specific skill-set to their work that ends in pictures that leave everybody stunned. Since high altitude can be a harsh territory to be working in, it is especially important for them to be well prepared for the tough conditions they face. Dan & Janine prepared a packing list of most important things to bring along for any traverse.
Understanding what gear to take, and what to leave behind, is critical for getting the most out of a trail running experience. To be able to keep running for a long time, you obviously don’t want to carry much, but you do need some essentials. What we show here is minimal gear for a two to three day summer tour with good weather forecast. Some personal items (like camera, poles, etc.) may be missing since we tried to focus on the bare minimum. These items do not include what you wear when you start (shoes, shirt, shorts, sun hat, sunglasses, watch). Also be informed, that this gear list assumes you are staying in hosted huts with meals and beds available.
- DYNAFIT Enduro 12 backpack
- Hydra flask wide mouth soft flask (for a Katadyn Befree water filter mouthpiece)
- Katadyn Befree water filters are mouthpieces for soft flasks with an integrated filter that allows you to fill up your bottle from any source while on the go. Carrying less water means a huge weight saving
- DYNAFIT 500ml soft flask for quick access, carried in the shoulder strap or chest pocket
- Extra short sleeve shirt, to change if you are wet or as clean shirt on the hut
- Long sleeve base layer that can be run, or slept in
- Long tights
- DYNAFIT Traverse Hybrid Jacket as primary insulation layer
- Extra socks
- Dry bag to keep extra clothing from getting wet from sweat and rain
- DYNAFIT Ultralight rain jacket
- DYNAFIT React rain pants
- Gloves
- Neck gaiter (always carry a neck gaiter! It doubles as a beanie and face mask)
- Headband
- Silk bed linen, mandatory in huts
- headlamp
- Tape for rolled ankles, or miscellaneous injuries
- Trail Butter calorie bomb, to make tough moments more enjoyable
- Small travel wash cloth
- Toilet kit: toothbrush, toothpaste, dental floss and earplugs (to dampen any snoring at the hut)
- Phone. Important items and apps available any time are: the European emergency number 112, if in Switzerland the Rega rescue app (there are similar apps for other regions), any necessary weather app with rain radar, and the ever important Kindle app.
- Headphones. I keep a variety of things on my phone for potential distraction from loud hut rooms. A key item is an app called “White Noise”, with various soothing get to sleep sounds such as “Rain on tent” and “Tibetan singing bowls”.
- Goal Zero spare battery for phone, in case the hut does not have power.
- Charging kit: phone and Suunto watch charger.
This whole package weighs just 2.2kg, not including water and the food you will be taking. At less than 3kg, you can run and be comfortable. You might not be looking, or smelling your best at the hut, but you will have the ability to cover ground and maximize your experience in the Alps.
The Alps offer some of the most beautiful trail running terrain found anywhere in the world. And thanks to an unparalleled mountain hut system, you can stay on high altitude in the Alps for days at a time while running multi-day tours.
This is what you will pack for a multi-day trail running tour
@ Dan Patitucci
@ Dan Patitucci