Signed up with some other old codgers for an 8 day walking tour in the Pyrenees in June. All my current gear - big Meindl boots, Volkl jacket is designed for slogging through Peak bogs. Can anyone recommend suitable boots, clothing, etc?
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I know it sounds daft, but check out your local second hand shops for a silk shirt. They are fab. They pack down to nothing, weigh a gnat's fart, can be rolled up, down, worn open or shut and keep the sun off. Who knows they might even have a go at keeping mozzies off you if you are lower down.
I took some hefty rain trousers and reckon I might have been better without, admittedly it was later in the year, but there wasn't a drop of rain in two weeks (September). Over the winter I have changed over to using roclite shoes instead of 3-4 season boots. I just wish I had done this years ago. I might want something water proof for lots of trudging through endless peat bogs but otherwise I have found a bit of wet doesn't bother me as long as the socks are snug. I have just christened mine on Spanish screes and rock earlier this month and am itching to do some more.
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Thanks, Steve. I 'll look out for some cheap silk shirts. I'll think about the Roclite shoes, although at my age some lighter boots seem more appealing. You've got me worried about the mozzies - is Craghoppers Nosquito range any good? Should I take insect repellant?
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 In 5 or 6 separate trips over the past 15 years or so (all in July to September) I've never encountered any problem whatsoever with biting insects in the Pyrenees - that's one of the joys of going there!  As for kit, what suits for the UK will generally do over there. If you're lucky it'll be shorts and t-shirt weather but it may not be. If your big boots are comfortable then by all means use them. I've used a variety of 3 season boots such as Meindl Borneos or suede/fabric/goretex offerings (goretex not strictly necessary most of the time!) and last time I wore Inov8 Roclite 315 shoes which did the job but did force me to be careful about foot placement on the roughest terrain. How high are you going? Are you heading for the summits or crossing the high passes or strolling the valleys? Staying in huts or backpacking or returning to a valley base each day?
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Thanks Matt. Last May we did most of the Cathar Way with a Frech co. Randonnades who arranged the accom and carried the bags. This year we're doing the eastern end of the GR10 down to Banyuls - again with bags carried and hotels arranged. I found my Meindl boots a bit heavy last year and the cotton T shirts got very sweaty - hence the request for help. Glad to here about the mozzies! By the way I can recommend the Cathar Way - most enjoyable walk I've ever done.
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 I suggest you dont scimp on the waterproofs ir you dont like getting wet. It tends to cloud over and rain late afternoon and then clear up again in the evening. We got the wettest Ive ever been in the Odessa Canyon a couple of years ago when the heavens suddenly opened about four o clock after a blazing day. We just had lightweight cags as the weather was so hot and got absolutely drenched. In the end we just took them off. Incredible electric storm though with lightning bouncing round the cliffs.
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Thanks, for the advice on waterproofs , Brian. What do you recommend as both light and fully waterproof? I'm also still undecided about which lightweight boots to go for. I've read all the reviews on here - pro and anti Keen Targhee, etc. I want something light, ideally mid-height, with a decent grip on wet rocky paths. We found wet limestone quite tricky last year. Any suggestions?
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I forgot to mention pants - er base layer. Any advice on non-sweaty briefs - not boxers. Last year we used a fair amount of Johnson's baby powder when chafed. Can we avoid it this year?
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Slightly off your topic but .... We've just booked our trains to the pyrenees for £109 return London-Pau, going overnight so that includes two nights' accommodation in a couchette. And you get a few hours in Paris. All in it's going to cost £135 from Manchester. You can book online at www.raileurope.co.uk and it seems best prices are two to two and a half months in advance. We'll leave Manchester at 2 in the afternoon and wake up in Pau at 7.30 the next morning. There are similar options for loads of places in France, Switzerland and northern Italy.
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Thanks for your advice and Richard "Pyranean" Gear for his. We are flying from Stanstead to Perpignan with Ryanair - £80 return when we booked 2 months ago. We flew East Mids to Carcassonne with same lot last year - no problems. I'd rather take your option, Stuart, but was outvoted.
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