Gear and Preparation for the Rota Vicentina

Gear and Preparation for the Rota Vicentina

Essential hiking gear for the Trail

Trekking gear that we took on the Rota Vicentina was minimal, since along the route there are regular accommodations and means to get supplies. 

 
Backpack (Osprey Xena 85, Gregory Whitney 95)
 
Icebreaker Merino Wool Shirts (2 x short sleeve shirts each, with Sonya carrying 1 x long sleeve for sun protection)
 
2 x Columbia Convertible pants/shorts each
1 x woman’s skort (Columbia)
2 x pairs of merino wool socks each (Smartwool and Darn Tough)
2 x men’s hiking underwear (Ex-Officio)
2 x women’s underwear, 2 hiking bras (Ex-Officio)
Sun hats (1 x tilly style, 1 x baseball cap)
Rain Jacket, Rain Paints (North Face)
Lightweight fleece sweater for evenings and cool mornings
2 x merino wool neck buffs (Icebreaker)
2 x Headlamps for early morning or late evening
1 x Komperdelle Hiking Poles
2 x pairs of Keen Sandals (1 pair each)
1 x Women’s Keen Targhee Mid Calf Hiking boots
1 x Men’s Merrel Moab Hiking shoes

The bulkiest and heaviest items, beyond our backpacks, were our bird-watching and photography gear.  While most people will not be carrying these, our birding gear includes:
 
Bushnell Binoculars (12x50)
Nikon 750 Camera, Tamron 15-30 lens, Sigma 12-25 lens, Tarmon 70-200 lens, Sigma 150 macro lens, Sigma 150-600 lens
Cell phone – purchased Vodaphone SIM chip at Faro International Airport
 
Rota Vicentina guidebook and  Algarve Birding Guide – purchased in the Airport at the Algarve tourism shop

 
In addition to the usual hiking and Camino accessories we also carried our camping gear which included our tent, air mattresses, and summer sleeping bags.  We are taking this as there are established campgrounds along the route in several towns which will allow us to take advantage of other accommodation options on the trail and will aid in reducing costs en route.

See you on the Trail!