I'm spending a month in Europe, mostly in warm places. However, I'm spending my last week in Switzerland, 4 days of which will be in the Berner Oberland where I will be hiking, taking the high lifts, etc. I'm packing light and wondering how much warm clothing I will need. Will I need jeans or will lightweight travel pants and capris be OK? Can I get by with layering a T-shirt, light cardigan and a light rain jacket? Many thanks!!
Posted by
US Pacific Northwest
10344 posts
This answer that I gave in the topic below kind of answers your question, partially: clickFor serious hiking in the mountains, cotton is useless because once it gets damp it loses what little insulating characteristics it has and it's uncomfortable; and the cardigan, if it's cotton, has the same problem. Read my answer at the link. If you're just going to walk around a little at the top that's different, but if you're going to hike at significant elevation, that's when you want to know some of these details. And the Jungfraujoch is serious altitude, if it's 70 at Lauterbrunnen it will be in the 40s up there and will feel colder if there's wind, which there often is at altitude. The things that blindside people not used to being at high altitude: low temps, sunburn, and the glare of the sun off the snow (if you're lucky enough to get sun).
Posted by
OP
San Anselmo, CA, USA
38 posts
My hiking is probably not what most people call 'serious'. I don't expect to do more than about 4 miles each day. We will be staying in Murren. Thanks!
Posted by
Danville, VT
12040 posts
If you just plan to hike around the lower elevations of the Schilthorn on a series of day hikes in July, dressing to stay dry will probably be more important than trying to stay warm. Once you start moving, you'll generate enough body heat to keep yourself warm. I'm not a big fan of jeans for mountain hiking (or for any other purpose, for that matter), because like Ken mentioned, cotton is useless once it gets wet. If you plan to spend any decent amount of time hiking, you may want to visit an outdoor outfitter such as REI or Eastern Mountain to get a decent pair of pants.
Posted by
OH, OH, USA
1158 posts
It depends how high in the mountains you are going to hike. At the base of the mountains is warm. If you go up , there is snow.
I would pack a coat, maybe a fleece kind and jeans.
There are many thin microfleece tops you can get. They are light, braethable and keep you warm at the same time. I use those when I go skiing.
Posted by
Redding, CA, USA
1568 posts
Why not buy sweatshirt their to remind you of your trip. That is what we did.
Posted by
Newport Beach, CA, USA
769 posts
the alps can change from day to day - but comfort and layers are key (as is good gortext shell and good hiking socks - merino wool). Assuming you will have decent shoes or hikers or a combo.
Take light layers and you will be fine for any weather. Id save the jeans for at home or citi walking unless its hot. Travel pants are better - esp for hiking. Shorts or convertables might be best for sunny hikes - but i wore my travel-hiking pants the alomst the whole time last year in the alps rain and shine! light and layer.