I wouldn't suggest doing this solo anyway, although it certainly can be done if you've done it before... We did it by ourselves, but there are plenty of people up there to follow if you do find a partner and know what you're doing. If there's any doubt, just get a local guide. They'll be well worth it for sure.

Heya. There aren't so many towns on this route as say the TMB, but you should be able to resupply a few times on route. I's say carry around 3 days worth. Water is usually fairly abundant if you have a filter (often glacial run off is super silty) and I typically only carry max 1 litre unless I know I'm heading to a dry camp, then I'll take more. The backpack I have in this vid is a 50l bag, way too big for what I usually need and a 40l is pretty good for sure. I go over what I take on these trips in another video - have a look in my feed for that video.

Ha! So weird you'd ask me this now... I just got back from climbing it for a sunset... Nantaux is clear of snow fairly early on as the main face of it (where the trail is) is south facing.

@@alpinekiwi Thank you for your fast reply! One more question if you don't mind! Is it possible to pitch a tent there and camp overnight (just for a night)?

@@ypeihan Yes there is a small flat area just by the cross up there. I have slept up there a few times, but bear in mind there is no water and you will have to carry it up. You'll get a stunning sunset and a beautiful sunrise the next morning. I love sleeping up there.

@@alpinekiwi Really appreciate your information. Thank you!

@@ypeihan hey you're welcome! Let us know if you sleep up there!

It has no hip belt and no framing. When you have an already light baseweight, a frameless/hipbeltless bag is still super comfy. I did make a small adjustment to the beltbag (fannypack/bumbag whatever you call it where you are) so it can clip to the main pack in case I have a heavier than usual food or water carry. But basically a hipbeltless bag is ace.

Hi, yes you can get it to work with an adapter. You can either buy one, or make one out of the pump bag that comes with the mattress. I lost my adapter on my last TMB round and I'm using one of those small Flextail pumps now. They're pretty light and simple to use...

@@alpinekiwi i've looked further into it and it appears Exped itself makes a 3g adapter but before ordering I'll try to use the one from the thermarest pump as you suggested. Flextail looks sweet too, doubling also as tent lantern, neat. Thanks!

Haha, commenting on a 15 year old vid! It has been a while!

Hi, Thanks! We carried Camp Microspikes. They were used perhaps 4 times and were definitely handy to have and we were glad to have them, but I would have been ok without them too. There was never any danger of sliding to your death anywhere and if it did get steep on snow there were tracks cut in enough to stop you from sliding. Would I carry them again? Probably not. Would I suggest anyone else carry them? Sure. They were good to have.

@@alpinekiwi Thanks so much for reply! Really helpful.

Chamonix to Morzine in two days is two big days. I'd guess around 35km each day. Completely do-able and what I have done a couple times. If you could stretch it to 3 days, I'd make the Samoens to Morzine section a little longer and sleep up the Col de Bostan area, up past the refuge. That is a lovely valley and much nicer than the up-and-over of the Col de Golese...

@@alpinekiwi Great advice, appreciate it and thanks for coming back to me. I’m going to look into that as a plan. Cheers

You can actually walk from Brevent (on the TMB) along the GR5 to meet the Tour de Fiz. around half of the Tour de Fiz is on the GR5...

@@alpinekiwi Oh thank you, that's even better (planning my summer right now, I will walk in your footsteps 😃)

@@moyashisoba It is such a beautiful region! You'll love it! It also happens to be my local hills 😀

@@alpinekiwi You are one lucky man , living in such a beautiful area.

I didn't find it too hard. Kept walking till dusk then started looking for a spot. It certainly helps if you're solo... Have a great walk!

@@alpinekiwi we're just 2. Looking forward to it. And thanks for the reply!

😂fair enough... What would you like for my next one Paul?

@@alpinekiwi kzbin.info/www/bejne/lXfVgIR5Yt94pck

Good question. The pyramid shape of the tent makes it perfect for alpine conditions. It handles strong winds very well and snow doesn't build up on it. I've had snow on it a few times, but never a huge dump, so can't attest to that. But 1cm or so that I have had is absolutely fine. The single pole is very sturdy and I'd rather weather a storm in this mid-style shelter over any of my older style shelters. Hope this helps.

Thank you so much for your reply. I have watched your kit video several times and marvel at your approach. I am a middle aged male in the U.K. training for my mountain leader exam and need a strong but light weight tent for mountain wild camping and I am also planning some long distance hikes so am looking for a super light weight tent. Can I find one tent for both of these needs? I have a Dan Durston trekking a 2 trekking pole tent (900g), and a lanshan 1 trekking pole tent 900g) But I was of the view that any trekking pole tent could not face up to high winds (and a mountain leader I know was quick to dismiss them). So I was on the verge of getting an expensive terra nova tunnel tent or a tarptent scarp1 tent. Is it perhaps the quality of the z pack pole tent that makes it ok in high winds in your view?..But the price is also very high....although I'm of the view - pay once, cry once! Thanks-

@@trytheoutdoors It's the design of the shelter that makes it so good. Before the Packs Plexamid, I had a Six Moon Designs Lunar Solo which is a similar design, but a lot cheaper. I have been in some horrendous storms in both shelters and they both took the wind well. The angular walls allow the winds to travel over a lot better than tube style tents in my opinion. The tent stakes are as important as the shelter design. I use a full size MSR Groundhog for the main line, two Groundhog Minis for the back two corners and the rears are titanium shepherds hooks. I have found this combo to be rock solid. I passed one night at around 3200m in an insane storm (high winds, driving rain and lightning striking all around me). I had placed rocks over all stakes and the shelter stayed solid. I hear good things of the Dan Durston tent...

Thank you. Really appreciate the time you gave to this. Great channel. Power to your elbow, sir!

We had microspikes and used them, but I wouldn't say they were essential. Useful however...

Ha, yeah my gear is all the same shade of black 😀

It's a Z-Packs Plexamid

Yes, it still works great, the Dyneema tape is holding up fine. I very geekily made a pro/con list for each tent and the Plexamid won out on most points. I can't recall what the points were, but it has more floor space but smaller footprint if I remember right. I'm happy with the decision overall, it's a great shelter for 3 season use (I use a tarp in winter and some mid summer trips).

I first had some CAMP waterproof mittens (67g) that were fine, but then I found some Forclaz waterproof mitts (51g) from Decathlon for around 10€. I tested both of them by wearing one on each hand and submerging in a bucket of water. They both stayed completely dry. I find that a glove system consisting of a warm fleece inner glove (again, decathlon sells these for 2€!) and a waterproof/windproof mitt outer shell works fantastically in most conditions and temperatures.

Yeah I looked at getting one, but the NeoAir's horizontal baffles are a big part of the issue I think. They don't give any side support and nothing to stop you rolling off. Vertical baffles will help I think, but I saw the Prolite on sale and thought to give it a go. So far so good. It is thin enough that arms off the sides isn't that big a deal - they don't have far to fall... I would like to try a Nemo Tensor, but as it stands, I have 6 different mattresses already 😂

@@alpinekiwi I’m interested in the tensor too. Just can’t beat the weights on the thermarest products for their r-value it seems. But true, if it gives one a better sleep.

@@KB-re4ku I just got back from a winter camp. Top of a mountain, deep snow. I had a 4mm CCF matt (torso length), a Z-Lite (6 panels) and my Prolite (which is a short, so stops at knees). I dug a shallow trench in the snow for my bed and was super warm. I could have left the Z-Lite, but I'm not into risk taking in the high alps 😀I'd rather take it and not need it! Winter at high altitudes isn't the time for UL for me!

@@alpinekiwi yeah unless you’ve been in a true winter experience, you may not realize that warmth is more essential than a low base weight. Alberta , Canada here. I’m a double sleeping bagger in winter. Down inner, syn over again.

Man I

Cheers Monica! We did encounter a fair bit of snow and used our microspikes enough to warrant taking them. Would we have been ok without them? For sure. If I were to do this trip again at a similar time, I may not take these. But we were glad to have them with us. The safety and feeling of security were worth the extra weight.

Silicone tubing slid over the Ti handles. It works well, but I think it will need replacing after each season, the silicone gets crumbly after being heated so much. Still a good idea though, you can just grab it without needing a rag.

@@alpinekiwi thanks:) i wait for other erupean ultralight gear

Cheers! I don't feel the headnet is tough enough to use as a clothes bag. I'd hate to reach for it when there are bugs around only to find it's been ripped or a hole torn in it due to misuse. As for the cook pot stuffsack, I dunno. I used to use a rubber band, but I sometimes use the pot on an open fire and the supplied stuffsack keeps the soot off everything else. I also stuff the empty ziplocks in it with the pot holding them all in so I can reuse them when I get home. I just keep it, it doesn't weigh enough to think too much about.

Yes, June 19th - 25th

@@alpinekiwi Thank you...Miy flight is booked for June 14th - 29th 2021...I was a little worried about navigating snow in some areas. Looks beautiful! Cheers from Colorado.

@@Setjeffree Replying to an old comment here, planning a trip for the same dates next year. How did it go with snow?

How do they compare to the Polish company Cumulus? I have a few pieces from them and they are all well made, great materials and well priced...

@@alpinekiwi I’ve not seen Cumulus products so can’t make a like for like comparison. PHD however do use the best materials and are one of the few companies that use a 1000 fill power, they have made kit for Arctic expeditions, 8000m peaks and they provide a custom service so you can design your own sleeping bag to how you want it. The only “down” side is price, they’re not the cheapest. The old adage of “lightweight, cheap, warm - pick two” often applies.

Hi, We wild camped the whole way. There were a couple nights in Switzerland where we had permission from land owners as wild camping is pretty enforced there. The tour itself was hard as you'd expect. there was perhaps 2000m climbing and descending each day. But if you go at your own pace, it is accessible to everyone!

Hey Stergios, pyramid style tents like the Plexamid, Aeon Li and Lunar Solo shed wind and snow fantastically due to their shape. They are a great choice for the Alps.

Hi Jon, maybe in a future video... Basically I had Tom sew 3 sets of neodymium magnets in the same spots as the snaps. He was a bit reluctant due to concerns of compass interference, but I have no problems with them and magnets just rule. So much simpler than finding and closing the snaps...

@@alpinekiwi sounds ideal. Do you know if they are much heavier than the snaps and why Tom doesn't offer it any more?

@@turkeyphant I guess they do weigh more than plastic snaps, but one pair of the magnets weighs 2g. I'm not bothered. He never did offer it as an option. I asked him to do it for me. I made a few custom changes to this bag.

Hey Sam, we were very fortunate to have had the TMB practically to ourselves. The Schengen borders had just opened and there was still a lot of snow up higher. We saw very few people. I hear the TMB can be horribly crowded and if so, I am glad I did it when I did. Wild camping was fine the whole way except in Switzerland, where we camped on private ground with permission. The WHR was amazing, but also had its downsides: transport to/from beginning/end (as opposed to the loop of TMB). I hear a lot of the Europaweg balcony is shut now. It was open when I did it. It was however stunning with its scenery and remoteness. I think the best parts of the TMB are better than the best parts of the WHR, but the WHR was mostly stunning the whole way, whereas the TMB had a few not-so-amazing bits. If I had to choose one to do again, I'd probably do the WHR. I'd love to do sections of the TMB again too, but not the whole thing. Good luck!

@@alpinekiwi hi, thanks for taking the time to reply. I have heard the TMB is full of rich guided groups going from hotel to hotel which really isn't our thing. I will have a read up and make a decision but your advice helps greatly.

@@sam249344 that's one good reason to wild camp: you're not tied down to accommodation like those groups. You can keep hiking well past these refuges and set up camp away from crowds...

@@alpinekiwi sounds like a plan. The TMB is more appealing as it has the same start and finish point. I imagine if we are wild camping we can just do our own thing.... As long as we can pick up some wine along the way!! One more thing did you have any issues with foxes? We had problems with them in both Corsica and Andorra

@@sam249344 I had no issues with foxes on either route... But yeah, they can be horrendous if they want!

Hope they come in handy! Glad you like them, cheers!

Cheers Mark!

Netanel Switzerland was the only country we camped next to property with permission. It’s pretty strict there. In Italy and France it is a little more tolerated with rules. My interpretation of the rules is that while camping is not really allowed, what we do is: setting up tents at dusk and leaving by dawn leaving no trace is ok. So while not exactly legal, it is tolerated. The key thing is leaving no trace. The cost of the trip (not including the gear we use) was pretty low. We had dinner at a couple places, be the last refuge of each day and resupplying our own provisions in towns. I guess I spent around 300€ in food and beer.

@@alpinekiwi Thank you very much for the quick and very helpful response. I just discovered your channel, I loved the content. subscribed!

Thats a personal choice! I wear trail runners for everything. I love Altra Timps for the comfort, fit and grip. The soles wear too fast for my liking, but while they're good, they're the best. By far the most common footwear you'll see in the European Alps are heavy hiking boots. I favour trail runners for so many reasons. Wear what you are comfortable in.