Your outdoor equipment on the mountain
Getting equipped for a mountain outing need not be difficult. There is, however, reason to think through how you will dress and what you will take with in your backpack. Good comfort is important for a positive mountain experience. Staying warm, dry and fed is a good starting point, as is not carrying too much weight.
The same equipment for outdoor life at home can be used on the mountain and much of what is suitable in the winter also works well in the summer. For example, a nice, warm sweater or wind- and water-proof clothes. It is important not to overcomplicate it, but still be mindful, put on and bring with what is really necessary.
Clothes – consider comfort
Your clothes on a mountain outing should both protect your and be comfortable.
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Multiple layers
Closest to the body, you have clothes to keep you warm and to transport away moisture from the body. There are various materials from pure artificial fibres to wool and wool terry cloth. The latter transport the moisture better and feel nicer when the clothes are to be used for several days without washing. We do not recommend cotton closest to the body, which also applies to the feet.
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Closest to the body
Closest to the body, you have clothes to keep you warm and to transport away moisture from the body. There are various materials from pure artificial fibres to wool and wool terry cloth. The latter transport the moisture better and feel nicer when the clothes are to be used for several days without washing. We do not recommend cotton closest to the body, which also applies to the feet.
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Intermediate layer
An intermediate layer may be good to have on during the outing or as an extra item of clothing when resting. It should keep the heat in and transport moisture out. There are several alternatives for materials, but the most common is fleece or wool. If it gets wet, fleece dries faster.
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Outer clothing
Outer clothing should protect against wind and moisture, but not be completely airtight. Surplus heat from the body should go through. Hat and gloves should also withstand wind and moisture. On your feet, you should use well-worn boots or ski boots for winter outings. Of course, winter outings place higher demands on the equipment than summer outings do.
In the backpack
What you need to take with depends on how long you will be out and how you will spend the nights.
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Day outings
On a day outing, you have a good bag of food, candy, a sitting or sleeping mat and warm clothes for resting in your backpack. Also bring a knife, matches, a torch and blister bandages. In the summer, rain clothes and perhaps a cap that protects from the sun and mosquitoes are good to bring with. In the winter, we recommend bringing skiwax, shovels and bivouac sacks.
Even if you intend to follow marked trails, a map and compass are given companions. Many bring a GPS device, but do not let it be a replacement for the map and compass. Mobile phones work in some well-visited areas, but far from all.
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Cabin tour
Being on the mountain for several days and staying in overnight cabins places slightly higher demands on the equipment. In addition to what is necessary for a day outing, changes of clothes, a travel sheet or sleeping bag, toiletries and food for the trip are also needed. In general, provisions are usually available for purchase in most overnight cabins. Some choose to bring a field kitchen while others prepare and cook all food in the cabin and then fill a thermos with lunch for the day.
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Camping trip
A camping trip places even higher demands on the equipment. Besides that mentioned above, you also need a good mountain tent, field kitchen with enough fuel, provisions, a good sleeping bag and a good sleeping mat/ground sheet (in the winter extra thick or double), a small torch and snow brush. Some extra warm clothes when resting are also needed. You should also have a repair kit with if something were to break.
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