Mr Who
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A classical question! Who ever does walking (the expression trekking is not used because it's misplaced) in the Swiss alps needs this: long trousers (no shorts), solid boots with strong soles; raingear, a cardigan and a woolen hat (even in July/August) plus replacement socks go into your backpack together with your tent, sleeping bag cooker and water bottle.
As drinking water can be taken from rivers (just make sure there are no cows higher up...), this is not an issue. Otherwise: Every Swiss fountain carries drinking water! Try the ones from alpine cottages - better than Evian! Even if you think you are going to be in remote areas - there is always a little grocery shop to be found in the tiniest villages where you can get basic stuff. If you want to be on the safe side anyway, bring dry soup, dry meat (best is air dried beef from the Grisons, a Swiss specialty, although expensive), dry sausages, rye bred, dried fruit, tea bags and sugar. An old newspaper can be used for not only making fire, by the way... These items would do for some days, later, down in a mountain village, you have a wider choice at your finger tips again.
As for maps (besides probably a general overview) or even high tech equipment such as GPS/navigation systems: Forget them, you only have to carry them! There is a complete system of walking trails marked throughout Switzerland (so from the Lake of Geneva to the Lake of Constance, from Bargen in the North to Chiasso in the South), they are all marked with the same yellow way signs: either as quadrangular signposts or yellow stripes on trees, walls or stones. The distances are indicated on yellow arrows - not marked in kms but in hours, very practical and really reliable! If you go higher up (over mountain passes or up to the highest peaks), a similar system is applied: Red-white-red parallel stripes painted onto rocks or trees. If you are not a real dummy, there is no way to get lost with this system. And just before you think you are lost anyway: A person is very seldom far away in our tiny country, pitch up your tent and wait for someone or make a phone call since the mobile system works also in seemingly undercivilized areas. There is nothing better than to be "lost" in the middle of nowhere! Enjoy! :-) |
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