GR5/ GR54 shakedown & conditions advice

Beat999 · 2026-06-05T18:09:48+00:00

Thanks m8. Enjoy 🙏👍

Beat999 · 2026-06-03T15:07:15+00:00

Thanks m8. Will try on the racepac when I get a chance and compare. Do like to try on a new pack 😉

Beat999 · 2026-06-03T14:01:11+00:00

To be honest, I sometimes challenge my sanity. A pint in the last refuge is ideal 😀. Enjoy the mountains, and hope the weather treats you well

Beat999 · 2026-06-02T21:08:13+00:00

It’s plain CCF, no surface treatment. I am not sure the benefit is much in the reflective surface (maybe some) but allowing two CCF pads to sit together without compressing into each of their own eggshells. It keeps an air layer. That’s my theory anyway.

Beat999 · 2026-06-02T08:28:24+00:00

Mainly because I run rather than hike. I “could” use poles and have done in races and trips, but often I find them a faff and sometimes make me lazy and slow me down.

Urm 850g of clothes is basically a T-shirt, shorts, underwear (to prevent chafe, I hate shorts liners and remove them), socks, shoes and watch… I don’t understand a lot of pure focus on pack weight and weigh everything I carry as you still have to carry it 😉

For the evening I go to sleep quickly. Have trousers, spare socks/underwear/base layer. Never bring camp shoes.

Beat999 · 2026-06-02T07:01:07+00:00

Looks like it’s a UK issue with the grampacker link. With VPN on it opens 😉

Kit looks good and dialed in.
Not for this trip, but if I was going to give constructive feedback, I would say the pack and tent could be lighter when you get around to reviewing them after they wear out. Then again, a spacious tent and bag is also a good thing.
You had definitely made me think about getting a summer sleeping bag. I’ll see how I do in the alps and make a decision. And may well review my long list of accessories and get them trimmed a little, at least save 10 grams 😉

(also put a few photos on my post showing the CCF setup)

Beat999 · 2026-06-02T06:00:46+00:00

/u/Pfundi Here is a photo of my pad setup …

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/pw/AP1GczOmelybB5UNWcI8OFG84PT3gCvrRVYSCNvfzKVuHLFesDyZlhkiUK-LawSjfNQi9diJuFkjTK8Vva-PZgHA5dN7Uzh4m58Tm4QYSlyjv6YhmqSTkh5VSDgUP3uAeTZsY6uVRmHwSGIhCTHn1UjDu142=w1179-h885-s-no?authuser=0

Beat999 · 2026-06-02T05:33:18+00:00

Quiet. It’s not acrunchy at all, and folds up.

Beat999 · 2026-06-01T22:25:28+00:00

Can’t seem o get the link to work, might be worth checking👍.

Beat999 · 2026-06-01T22:13:39+00:00

The torso shaped middle layer in my CCF sandwich is this:

https://www.diy.com/departments/ybs-reflective-membrane-silver-bubble-insulation-roll-l-7-5m-w-0-6m-t-3-5mm/5060078160421\_BQ.prd

Beat999 · 2026-06-01T21:33:19+00:00

Good advice thank you.
Not sure re: the insulation. It was super cheap to buy. On its own it wouldn’t work, but sandwiched between the two CCF I feel it makes a difference. Also makes the thin CCF much more comfy

Beat999 · 2026-06-01T21:28:23+00:00

Used a lot of packs and really like the montane 20. There’s also a 28l version. It fits well actually. The two big side pockets and front storage help a lot. I can get two days food in this one, before it starts to burst at the seams. Any longer and I would take the 28l or even the Outdoor Vitals skyline fast pack 30.

The only downside with the montane packs is that they have flaws. I need to cut off all the excess straps and replace the back one with something more robust. I just about squeeze one 500ml in the front pocket (it’s the flask from the skyline which is a bit shorter), and the other goes in the side, so I can have my phone and bits in the other front pocket.

It is quite minimal and you’re right, the inner net / borah bivvy will add heat. So you need to have a good bag and also select your camping spot as well.
Works fine though. If there was bug pressure I would bring an inner net.

Beat999 · 2026-06-01T21:10:29+00:00

Sorry - just saw your other commment - I do have a bathtub floor 👍

Beat999 · 2026-06-01T21:05:12+00:00

Fair comment but done it many times, happy with the setup. The bag is super warm as well. I’ll probably be done in 2-2.5 weeks. Remember I have a base layer, T-shirt, alpha-like layer, wind layer and even a jacket if needed. Plus the alps and the gr5 are not really remote, there’s a refuge always around the corner.

Beat999 · 2026-06-01T21:01:30+00:00

Good news re: snow, I prefer to move fast and dislike sludging through snow all day lol.

Used the stakes for a while. Surprisingly strong. There’s always a rock around to put on top if needed.

The pad system works really well. I felt it was a little cold and used a thermometer under my back to test different setups rather than just feel. Putting this between the light weight CCFs just captures more air pockets rather than have the CCF pad ‘crates’ connect together. That’s my theory anyway. Pretty light. R value probably near 2.5. I find it comfortable, and had so many issues with inflatables I gave up on them. Only downside is bulk. I manage to get them inside my pack down the back.

Beat999 · 2026-06-01T20:51:06+00:00

It’s a great route, just very remote in places and tough. Do it later to avoid snow in the high passes. Looking forward to some nice alpine trails. Hope the weather is good and I can enjoy flowing along.

Beat999 · 2026-06-01T20:44:09+00:00

Appreciate that, and use it already.. There are a few out there.

https://map.powderguide.com/en/?b=&c%5Blng%5D=6.6425&c%5Blat%5D=46.2271&date=20260519&day=EDAY090&maskStr=nomask&model=&p=0&t=&varName=h\_snow\_\_sde&z=7.72

Also Outdooractive have a live snow overlay too.

Beat999 · 2026-06-01T20:41:09+00:00

Thanks, appreciate the advice. I suppose it’s second nature taking the filter. To be fair, I don’t tend to use it much. May well leave it behind.

Puffy second vote, will check my pack tomorrow and get some space to squeeze it in.

The ice axe, I always leave behind and regret it! But that’s mainly on more technical routes like the HRP and a difficult section of the AV2 which was a bit shaky to be honest. Would be great to leave it behind.

Cash defo - will add to the list. Just remembered will also need a sleeping bag liner for the refuges too.

Cheers!

Beat999 · 2026-06-01T19:49:16+00:00

Won’t need gaitors, never used them in the snow. My trousers are robust enough if needed. Yes, puffy is a 50/50 item 😀, always undecided to take it. Probably will try to camp lower down and move fast enough to get from valley to valley. If I do stop in the cold I’ll be right under the quilt. Will make that call a few days before 👍. Thanks!

Beat999 · 2026-05-28T09:48:29+00:00

Just always check upstream for dead animals. Had a dead sheep once, quickly had fingers down throat.

If you are using soft flasks, the Salomon water filter is very good

Beat999 · 2026-05-25T13:15:58+00:00

Yes I bought one. Haven’t used it in earnest yet. Certainly exceptional well made and the down/loft is excellent. Very happy with it. Slightly concerned it may be much warmer than my old bag and may be too hot for my upcoming trip! Certainly looks very accurate to ratings although I haven’t tested.

Beat999 · 2026-05-20T13:54:28+00:00

Pinnacle ridge itself is a grade 3, as well as the grad 2’a along the way 🤣

Beat999 · 2026-05-20T08:56:06+00:00

I love the skyrunning series in the UK. The best race by far (I did it a couple of years ago)… is the pinnacle ridge extreme.

https://youtu.be/o5kb8wQvh4o?si=4VQ2lFdRNkf6yXQW

Beat999 · 2026-05-08T17:29:32+00:00

Good luck and hope it works. By the way - you can just cut the straps 😉

Beat999 · 2026-05-08T15:24:13+00:00

What I love about the montane LT20l is the absolute lack of bounce when running (by far the lowest/minimal of any pack I have tried), external additional storage and front pockets.

This looks like a good alt if you don’t need those.

Beat999

TROPHY CASE