The Tour of the Bernina. Gillian Price

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       comfortable boots with ankle support and non-slip Vibram-type soles; preferably not brand new

       rucksack – 35-litre capacity should do; plastic or stuff bags for separating contents

       layers of clothing for dealing with everything from scorching sun to a snowstorm: T-shirts and shorts, comfortable long trousers (jeans are unsuitable), warm fleece, woolly hat and gloves

       waterproofs: jacket, over-trousers and rucksack cover; a fold-up umbrella is a godsend for people who wear spectacles

       light footwear such as sandals for evenings

       sleeping sheet – silk is perfect

       small towel, soap and personal toiletries – small quantities in plastic containers

       water bottle

       high-energy snack food such as muesli bars can be life-saving in an emergency or if that refreshment stopover happens to be closed

       maps, altimeter and compass

       credit card and supply of cash in euros and Swiss francs

       alpine club membership card

       telescopic trekking poles to help wonky knees on steep descents

       small headlamp or torch and whistle for calling for help in an emergency

       sunglasses, hat, chapstick and protective cream. For every 1000m you climb the intensity of the sun’s UV rays increases by ten per cent, augmented by reflection on snow. This, combined with the lower levels of humidity and pollution that act as filters in other places, means you need a cream with a much higher protection factor than at sea level.

       mobile phone, recharger with adaptor

       camera with extra batteries, recharger and adaptor. Hint: make sure your camera has a panoramic option

       foam ear plugs – they occupy next to no space and ensure a good night’s sleep in a dormitory of snorers

       first aid kit and essential medicines

       microspikes (walkers’ version of crampons) can be very helpful for crossing extended snow expanses if it has been a snowy year and you plan on trekking before mid-July.