Lienzer Dolomiten

Backpack

• 28–32 L if you have a separate camera bag (hip bag, holster bag)
• 35–45 L if you need dedicated space for the camera inside the backpack (e.g. with a camera insert)

Camera Equipment

• Camera bag or padded camera insert (to carry/protect the camera inside your backpack)
• Camera – any camera is fine as long as it has full manual controls and shoots in RAW.
• Lenses
  • At least 24mm (APS-C: 16mm) wide-angle lens
  • A lens covering approximately 70–200mm (APS-C: 45–140mm)
  • Optional: 28–50mm (APS-C: 18–35mm) standard/medium focal length – great for shooting panorama sections
  • Optional: 14–24mm (APS-C: 9–16mm) lens with approximately f/1.4–2.8 aperture for astrophotography
• SD cards (bring a spare)
• Batteries (bring spare batteries)
• Tripod (I have 2–3 smaller/larger tripods available to borrow)
• CPL filter (circular polarizing filter)
• Camera rain cover (e.g. Peak Design Shell)
• Microfiber cloth (for wiping off dust and rain)
• Remote shutter release – particularly useful for precise Milky Way photography
• Drone: you are welcome to bring one – please read the details at the bottom of the page!

Clothing

Temperatures in the valley can reach 24–28°C during the day, while temperatures in the mountains can drop to as low as 3–5°C at night. Layering is essential!

• Base layers (microfiber or merino, 2–3 sets; always keep one spare set in your backpack)
• Fleece jacket/sweater (2; one is enough for each hike)
• Trousers/pants (2 pairs, preferably quick-drying)
• Insulated jacket (puffy jacket – for nighttime photography or as a replacement for a wet fleece)
• Rain jacket or poncho (a poncho is less practical, but there is no need to buy a new jacket just for this trip)
• Warm hat/beanie (a simple thin one is fine for cold evenings; the hood of your puffy jacket can also replace it)
• Baseball cap or sun hat (UV protection – helps prevent sunstroke)
• Scarf or neck gaiter (a tube-style gaiter is preferable, e.g. Buff or Decathlon)
• Socks (3–4 pairs, preferably at least 30% merino)
  Always keep one spare pair in your backpack to prevent getting cold feet and blisters.
• Hiking shoes or boots (waterproof, high-ankle boots are recommended, although low-cut shoes are also fine if you find them more comfortable)
  • Recommended types: Trekking boots, hiking shoes, hiking boots, approach shoes
  • Recommended categories: A/B, B, B/C (standard A-category shoes may not be robust enough; C and D categories are designed for mountaineering)
  • Any Decathlon hiking shoe is fine, just don't choose the cheapest models, as their soles can be dangerously slippery on wet ground. For example: QUECHUA Men's Mid-Cut Waterproof Hiking Boots – MH100
  • Gore-Tex is advantageous for waterproofing and breathability, but belongs to the more expensive category
  • Models with Vibram soles are among the best, but again, they tend to be more expensive
  • If you don't plan to hike regularly, there is no need to spend a fortune on footwear
  • Choose ½–1 size larger than your normal street shoe size, as your feet tend to swell during long walks.

You do not need to carry everything with you at once. There will be several opportunities to reorganize your equipment at the car.

Food & Drinks

• Water bottle or hydration bladder: 1.5–2 liters
• Snacks: energy bars, protein bars, seeds, nuts, dried/fresh fruit, etc.

Other Equipment

• Hiking poles (at least 1 is recommended; I can lend 2–3 pairs)
• Sleeping bag liner: mandatory for sleeping in the hut (microfiber or silk; small and lightweight)
  A large sleeping bag is not necessary.
• Dry sack – compression bag/cover for compacting clothes and protecting them from rain (e.g. a 12–20 L Forclaz model from Decathlon, but even a simple nylon/plastic bag will work as a cheaper alternative)
• Sunscreen (SPF 50/50+)
• Lip balm (very helpful in windy conditions)
• Earplugs for sleeping
• Eye mask for sleeping
• Power bank and/or phone charger

Hygiene

• Personal toiletries
• Toothbrush and toothpaste
• Shower gel
• Small microfiber towel (approximately 60–120 cm long)

Medication

• Muscle/pain relief gel – e.g. one containing diclofenac
• Band-aids and/or blister plasters
• Knee support – if you have known knee problems
• Diamox-based medication (acetazolamide) if anyone is concerned about altitude sickness
  Unfortunately, I cannot provide this, as it is difficult to obtain in Germany, even with a prescription.

I always carry a first-aid kit; hopefully we won't need it, but it's better to be safe. I will also have instant magnesium available for muscle cramps.