Complete solo Tour du Mont Blanc packing list: what to pack for solo camping the TMB

26 April 2025

Circling the base of Western Europe’s highest peak, the Tour du Mont Blanc is a long-distance classic— traversing three countries, multiple cols, and some of the dreamiest scenery in the Alps. With long trail days, big elevation gain, and fickle mountain weather, your gear needs to strike a balance between comfort, weight, and versatility.

I solo-hiked the full TMB in July 2017, carrying all of my own camping gear and sleeping outside every night rather than staying in huts. This post breaks down exactly what I packed for an 8-day solo and unsupported camping adventure along the Tour du Mont Blanc, how I kept my load manageable, and what I’d do differently next time.

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Tour du Mont Blanc packing list

The TMB season runs from late June to mid-September, when most snow has melted from the cols and rifugi (mountain huts) are open. Weather in the Alps is generally stable during this summer period, but you’ll still want to pack for mountain conditions— which means strong sun, daytime temps of 15–25°C, cool evenings (near freezing), afternoon thunderstorms (especially in July/August), and the occasional snowy pass, especially early in the season.

I hiked the TMB in 8 days, camping the entire route and cooking all of my own meals, but with over 10,000m of elevation gain across ~170km, pack weight becomes a huge factor. One of the best ways to lighten your load slightly is to restock food throughout the trip— you’ll pass major towns like Chamonix, Courmayeur, and Champex, as well as smaller villages and huts daily, so I recommend picking up fresh picnic ingredients like bread, cheese, and cold meats every few days.

It’s also possible to pay for a la carte dinners at many huts along the route, even if you’re camping outside; I didn’t personally do this because of budget, but it can be a great way to reduce food weight in your pack. Ultimately, this packing list works for any version of the TMB, just adapt as needed!

🏔️ Check out my Tour du Mont Blanc Trail Guide for a detailed route description, essential trek logistics, and real-world tips on solo hiking & camping the TMB!

Trail essentials: backpack, boots & poles

With long climbs, rocky descents, and over 10,000m of elevation gain packed into 180km, the TMB is no joke on your legs. A lightweight, well-fitted pack, trail boots with serious grip, and reliable trekking poles will go a long way toward making this demanding circuit more fun than painful.

backpack (50-75L): Osprey Aura AG 50 (women’s) / Atmos AG 65 (men’s)

I carried my trusty Osprey Aura AG 50 for the TMB and it worked well for this length of trip (even with a solo camp set-up), but those who like a little extra space might find sizing up to a 65L worth it.

👉🏼 Need more advice on choosing a backpack? Check out this post: How to choose the best hiking backpack for every outdoor adventure

raincover: REI Co-op Duck’s Back Pack Rain Cover

Protects your gear from sudden downpours— some packs come with one built-in, but if not, make sure to pack a lightweight rain cover that fits over your bag (REI’s size medium or large should work best, depending on your pack capacity).

hiking boots: adidas Terrex Free Hiker Gore-Tex 2.0 (women’s) / (men’s)

I personally used Salomon Quest 4 GTX boots and they worked beautifully on the TMB, but I’ve since swapped over to a lighter hiking boot that still offers excellent ankle support and waterproofing. This is what I’d wear if I did the TMB again!

👉🏼 Need more advice on choosing the right boot? Read my outdoor footwear guide

Alta Via 1 2 4 Packing List- Italian Dolomites

trekking poles: Black Diamond Trail Trekking Poles

With relentless climbs and quad-burning descents, trekking poles are the unsung heroes of the TMB and saved my knees on MANY occasions!

Camping gear

Camping the TMB is an awesome way to stay flexible, soak up the alpine scenery, and save money— but you’ll need gear that’s lightweight, weather-ready, and compact enough to carry over dozens of mountain passes (the elevation gain on this trail is no joke!).

I wrote two super detailed guides to help you choose the best backcountry camping setup based on a decade of international, multi-day backpacking experience everywhere from Patagonia to the Peruvian Andes to the Australian coast.

👉🏼 How to choose the best backpacking tent for your next adventure

👉🏼 How to choose the best outdoor sleep system: sleeping bags, sleeping pads & camp pillows

backpacking tent: Big Agnes Tiger Wall UL2 (solo hikers) or Nemo Dragonfly OSMO 3P (for 2 sharing)

I used an old 2-person Quarter Dome on the TMB, but tent materials have gotten a lot better since 2017, so I’d definitely recommend the Big Agnes Tiger Wall UL2 for solo hikers or couple who don’t mind getting super close! For upgraded interior space, James and I love our Nemo Dragonfly OSMO 3P for 2 people.

sleeping bag: Sea to Summit Spark 0

I didn’t have a good cold-weather bag when I did the TMB and, despite being fairly mild summer weather, I still got deliriously cold at night. Choose a bag rated to freezing and your body will thank you!

sleeping pad: Therm-a-Rest NeoAir XLite NXT Sleeping Pad

My favourite ultra-lightweight pad that’s still comfortable enough for a full 8hr sleep on the trail!

camp pillow: Sea to Summit Aeros Premium

A luxury I’ll never hike without! Lightweight, compact, and so worth the space for better sleep in the mountains.

Camp kitchen, water storage & food

Although you’ll pass through plenty of towns, villages, and huts, I carried a lightweight backcountry cook setup so I could stay flexible and eat hot meals every night at camp, supplementing occasionally with fresh bread and cheese that I picked up along the way. Whether you’re going fully self-supported or just want to make a few meals between hut dinners, here’s what worked well for me on the TMB.

camp stove (+ fuel): Jetboil Zip

A compact canister stove is ideal for making simple meals— crazy fast, fuel-efficient, and effective in heavy wind.

A conservative estimate for fuel is one 230g canister per 3 days per person, but I find this is way more than I use. 1 canister per person should be plenty for the entire route!

mess kit + cutlery: Sea to Summit Frontier Ultralight Collapsible 4-Piece Dinnerware Set

At the very minimum, your mess kit should contain a spoon and cup; at most, it might extend to a bowl and fork.

water filter: Katadyn BeFree 1.oL Water Filter

A compact squeeze filter is the easiest way to make clean drinking water from the many streams and lakes you’ll pass on the trail!

water reservoir: HydraPak Seeker 2L

On top of your filter and your water bottle, backpacking trips call for a water reservoir— a lightweight, collapsible container used to haul dirty water from a stream or lake back to camp. Use it to fill pots for dinner or filter into bottles without crouching over a creek for 10 minutes! Lightweight, packable, and seriously practical when you’re dry camping or need to filter for multiple people.

2x water bottles: Nalgene Wide Mouth

I personally don’t like bladders on overnight trips since they can be especially challenging to fill when you’re filtering water (and the consequences of leakage can be catastrophic if it soaks your sleeping bag), so instead I pack 1-2 standard Nalgene bottles. As you like it!

electrolytes: Liquid IV

With the altitude, constant sun exposure, and high physical demands of this trail, I’d recommend drinking a minimum of 1 bottle of electrolyte-enriched water per day!

freeze-dried meals + snacks

Even with town resupplies, I packed freeze-dried dinners and trail snacks from home to save money and maximise flexibility of my camp kitchen.

👉🏼 Check out this post for a breakdown on how I pack backcountry food for alpine expeditions

Garmin In-Reach communication for soloing Aconcagua — Garmin In-Reach communication & emergency device–essential!!

Safety & navigation

Although the TMB is a well-trodden route, it’s still a high-alpine circuit that crosses multiple countries and remote mountain passes. Weather can shift fast, and even marked trails can be obscured by snow, fog, or poor visibility. This setup kept me safe, on route, and prepared for everything from wrong turns to power outages.

PLB/SOS: Garmin InReach Mini 2

A Personal Locator Beacon (PLB) is your lifeline in the outdoors and I NEVER go hiking without my Garmin InReach Mini 2, which allows me to send messages, get weather updates, track location, and place an SOS call in an emergency, even without phone service. It does require a subscription (starting at $12/month), but it’s worth every cent and has literally saved both of my parents’ lives in the backcountry!

GPS: CalTopo app on mobile

The absolute best GPS resource is the smartphone you already own, paired with a reliable, low-cost GPS mapping app that allows you to access detailed offline Topo maps and navigate via GPS satellites, even without mobile service.

My go-to is CalTopo, which costs just $20/year and is by far the most feature-rich, affordable, and accurate mapping tool out there.

🗺️ I built a custom Tour du Mont Blanc GPS map with daily tracks based on my custom adventure itinerary, hundreds of waypoints, and other essential navigational information to help you stay on track. For solo trips, this is essential!

guidebook: Trekking the Tour of Mont Blanc (Cicerone)

The updated Cicerone TMB guide is the best published resource for this trail, updated in 2020 with a new edition. Even with weight concerns, I carried the entire book and referenced it daily for trail descriptions, altitude profiles, and alternate routes.

First Aid Kit: Adventure Medical Kits Backpacker

All the usual essentials:
• a mix of NSAIDs (ibuprofen, naproxen)
• antihistamines (Claritin for allergies, Benadryl for bites/stings)
• a small selection of stomach meds (like Imodium or Pepto tabs)
• a roll of KT tape (insanely versatile for everything from blisters to rolled ankles)
• alcohol wipes, antiseptic, a few large gauze pads, and blister plasters like Compeed

headlamp: Black Diamond Spot 400-R

A bright, rechargeable headlamp is essential for evenings around camp and (hopefully not) late nights on the trail. Lightweight and easy to stash in a top pocket for quick access!

powerbank: VRURC Portable Charger with Built-in Cables, 10000mAh

I used my phone constantly for navigation and photos, plus needed power for my inReach and headlamp. I carried a 10,000mAh powerbank and a solar charger, which was just enough to stay topped up in the Alps.

solar charger: BigBlue 28W Solar Charger

On multi-day trips with no access to power, a lightweight solar charger can be a great alternative to carrying multiple powerbanks. I definitely recommend one on the TMB to top up your phone, inReach, and headlamp during sunny lunch breaks— just enough to stay comfortably powered without the extra weight.

Top + bottom layers

You’ll experience every season in a single day on the TMB— mornings can be near freezing, afternoons blazingly sunny, and storms can roll in at any time. Having a modular layering system was absolutely key to staying comfortable across 10,000m of gain without constantly stopping to change. Here’s what I wore and packed to handle the Alps in peak summer.

👉🏼 Need help building a layering system that actually works? Read my outdoor layering guide for tips on choosing base layers, insulation, and outer shells.

sports bras + underwear

I’m not going to tell you what undergarments to pack, but just consider you’ll have 8-10 days on the trail and it’s very nice to have clean underwear every day!

hiking shirt: Arc’teryx Taema Crew Shirt (women’s) / Cormac Crew Shirt (men’s)

I’d suggest bringing just one shirt and washing it in a river partway through the trek to keep things ultra-light.

sun shirt: Arc’teryx Taema Hoody (women’s) / Cormac Hoody (men’s)

Breathable, quick-drying, and UPF-rated to protect from the intense afternoon sun. This is a great daily layer on the TMB!

wool base layer: Smartwool Classic Thermal Base Layer Top (women’s) / (men’s)

I used this as a camp base-layer (and didn’t wear it for any hiking) in an attempt to keep it as clean as possible. Warm, breathable, and perfect for multi-day wear without smelling awful.

lightweight fleece mid-layer: Arc’teryx Rho LT Hoody (women’s) / (men’s)

For hiking, this was the first layer I’d pull on over my t-shirt— lightweight, breathable, and just the right amount of warmth for long climbs or breezy afternoons without overheating. The hood adds a nice bit of extra insulation.

synthetic insulation: Arc’teryx Atom Hoody (women’s) / (men’s)

The Atom Hoody was my go-to insulation layer for hiking over high mountain passes. Packs down small but offers big warmth, especially when you’re damp from sweat or weather.

down jacket: Arc’teryx Cerium Hoody (women’s) / (men’s)

A down jacket is great for cool evenings at camp or windy passes where you need to pull on extra layers for a short time— this is my favourite compact down jacket with a great warmth-to-weight ratio.

shell jacket: Arc’teryx Beta SL Jacket (women’s) / (men’s)

A GoreTex shell blocks wind on passes, keeps you dry in afternoon showers, and should layer over other jackets for added warmth on extra cold days. Super light, super packable, and absolutely necessary for hiking in the Alps.

hiking shorts: Lululemon Align shorts

I’m a fan of the lightest, most fitted athletic shorts for long-distance trails— I find it just keeps the focus on my feet and not on any clothing movement. Whatever your own preference, I’d recommend 2 pairs of shorts for the 8-day route.

fleece mid-layer bottoms: Arc’teryx Kyanite Base Layer Bottoms (women’s) / (men’s)

The perfect lightweight yet super warm sleep tights— great for hanging out around camp and staying cozy in your sleeping bag!

Head, hands & feet

Protecting your extremities on the TMB is just as important as layering your core. You’ll face strong sun, chilly mornings, windy summit passes, and the occasional afternoon thunderstorm—small gear choices here make a huge difference in staying comfortable and safe across all conditions.

sun hat: Arc’teryx Gamma 5-Panel Cap

I wore a light hat every day for sun protection. Breathable and easy to shove into a pocket when not needed!

sunglasses: Julbo Vermont

From glacier travel to rocky scrambles, these are my favourite outdoor sunglasses.

neck gaiter: Buff Original

Lightweight and versatile, a Buff is essential for protecting against daily sun, sweat, dust, and wind.

beanie: Arc’teryx Mallow Toque

A small beanie is an easy add to your camp outfit to stay warm as nighttime temps occasionally approach freezing.

lightweight hiking gloves: Outdoor Research Trail Mix Gloves (women’s) / (men’s)

Nice to have for chilly mornings or windy mountain passes. These were thin, breathable, and just warm enough without overheating my hands during movement.

waterproof shell mittens: Black Diamond Waterproof Overmitts

There’s always a chance of rain or snow in the Alps, so bring a lightweight pair of waterproof shell mittens to layer over your fleece gloves for extra warmth and full weather protection.

3x liner socks: Injinji Liner Crew + REI Co-op Silk Liner Crew Socks

I wore my favourite toe-sock liners under my boot socks to reduce friction and prevent blisters throughout the trail.

3x boot socks: Darn Tough Hiker Micro Crew Cushion Socks (women’s) / (men’s)

My go-to socks for backpacking— durable, padded, and still comfy after multiple days of trail grime. I’d recommend 3 pairs of socks for 8-10 days.

How I rotate my socks to maximise cleanliness:
* days 1-3: hike in 1st pair, sleep in 2nd pair
* days 4-6: hike in 2nd pair, sleep in 3rd pair
* days 7-8: hike and sleep in 3rd pair

camp shoes: Teva Original

Easy to slip on after hiking boots, great for giving feet a breather, and worked well for setting up camp and short bathroom walks.

Personal items

When you’re camping the TMB, you’ll want a few compact personal essentials to stay clean, dry, and organised— plus a couple of trail luxuries that make a big difference after a long day of hiking.

toiletries + bathroom bits

Toothbrush, toothpaste, hairbrush, deodorant, medications, contact solution… whatever you need to stay clean and comfortable for multiple days on the trail!

For the wilderness bathroom, pack toilet paper, hand sanitiser, and a ziplock bag to pack out used items if needed.

Kula Cloth (for women)

This reusable antimicrobial pee cloth is designed specifically for backcountry female hygiene— it’s absorbent on one side, waterproof on the other, and treated with silver ions to resist bacteria growth and odour.

It’s easy to wash, dries fast, snaps shut for discretion, and clips onto the outside of your pack so it’s always accessible. Not only is it way more hygienic than carrying used toilet paper in a ziplock, but it also seriously reduces your trail waste, making it a no-brainer for sustainable hiking and women’s health on the go.

sun safety

Sun exposure builds quickly when you’re spending hours outside every day, especially at moderate elevation. Pack SPF 50+ sunscreen, SPF lip balm, and whatever else you need to stay sun-safe on the trail!

camera: Fujifilm x100vi

I always bring a proper camera on overnight trips, even if it’s just a compact model, so I can capture golden hour at camp, that misty morning glow, or the summit scramble in full detail. When I did the TMB back in 2017, I carried a GoPro on the route, but this compact fixed lens Fujifilm is FAR better and only a bit bigger.

👉🏼 Want to see how we capture photos and videos on our adventures? Peak inside our camera bag!

cash for resupplies

passport, credit card & cash for purchasing food in small towns/mountain huts

Camping the TMB was one of my all-time favourite solo adventures, and I can’t recommend it enough for confident hikers looking to go unsupported and move at their own pace. Whether you’re hiking the full circuit or just a section, I hope this packing list helps you feel lighter, more comfortable, and fully prepared!

⛰️ Still planning your route? Don’t miss my Tour du Mont Blanc Trail Guide for a detailed daily route description, trip logistics & real-world tips on solo hiking & camping the TMB. And if you have any questions about gear, drop them in the comments, I’m always happy to help!

TAGS:outdoor packing lists trip-specific packing lists

brooke beyond

Hey, I'm Brooke and I'm obsessed with getting off the beaten path, exploring backcountry gems & travelling beyond the ordinary! I left Australia 5 years ago after finishing a PhD in Biomechanics & have been travelling the world full-time ever since (joined by my life/climbing partner, James). Whether it’s road-tripping through Mexico, climbing alpine peaks in the Andes, scuba diving in the Red Sea, or tackling epic via ferrata in the Dolomites, I hope this blog will inspire your future adventures & help you find wonder in every corner of the globe. xx bb