Packing
We are each allotted 1 bag up to 44lb to be transferred by one hotel to the next.
On the plane we paid for 2 checked bags total for the 4 of us. Additionally, we may each have one overhead bag and one under-seat bag. Carry-on bags are limited to 18 lb (8kg) 55x40x23 cm (21.5x15.7x9inches) and one handbag, laptop bag or shoulder bag max 40x30x10cm (15.7x11.8x4 in) on Air Swiss. US based airlines allow much larger shoulder bags, 17 x 13 x 8 inch is smallest domestic airline requirement, and it is Jet Blue.
Our 4 transfer bags will be 2 very large (23kg = 50lbs, max sum of 3 dimensions = 158cm= 62 in), and 2 overhead-compartment sized.
We will each have a day pack backpack. Since we'll have 2 roller carry-ons for the overhead bins, 2 of the daypacks can also go in overhead bins, and the other must limit the size of the daypack to fit under the seat in front of us while on the plane.
I'd like to have 4 pair of hiking boots and 2 sets of clothes in our carry on in case our luggage gets lost. All of our pills and electronics and the camera goes in carry on. Passports, glasses, ids.
We will have 2 hotel rooms and for all except for the 1st night, will have a bathroom with a shower in each hotel room, so I bought a 2nd shampoo bag.
To reduce the amount of clothes we need to bring, we can bring clothes consisting of materials which will dry overnight after being washed in the sink/tub.
Since we change rooms each night, clothes washed in the sink must be dry the next morning and packed in a suitcase in which they will stay all day. Packing wet clothes in a suitcase will cause them to mold. Wednesday and Thursday we will not transfer to a different hotel, so if we can bring enough clothes to get from Saturday to Wednesday, then they can have longer to dry. But, if they aren't dry by Thursday morning, then we can't hike in them, so really only Friday's clothes can be repeats?
A few websites say it is common to shower after hiking and put on clean hiking clothes to wear to dinner, then wear those same clean hiking clothes for the following day's hike. No special clothes need for restaurants in the region. The shoes you wear on the airplane will be the shoes you wear to dinners and for the Zurich day so they need to be comfortable to walk in. Bring your fleece on the overnight plane flight, it will get cool. Zurich day is Friday. We fly home the next day. Separate set of clothes for Saturday?
Clothes Each person should bring:
3 pair hiking pants (wash them Wednesday)3 pair hiking socks (wash them Wednesday)
1 fleece (pack 1, wear one on the plane which will get cool at night)
1 raincoat
socks for Sunday and Friday
5 sport shirts for Sunday-Thursday (the stuff washed on Wed will be dry by Friday)
6 pair underpants
5 bras
1 pair hiking boots
1 sun hat
1 set of clothes to sleep in
Weather considerations for packing:
Expect rain about 50% of all days.
Sunday in Lauterbrunnen/Interlaken: lows in low-60's, highs mid to upper 70's, but we'll get wet at the falls, and it'll be cool in the cave. Probably need to wear hiking pants and a raincoat so the pants will dry quickly and the shirt doesn't get too wet
Mon-Thurs lows 45-55F, highs 63-73F
Friday in Zurich, lows in mid-60's, highs mid-70's to mid-80's. Will need to zip the legs off the pants.
Travel tips for washing in the sink:
bring laundry detergent sheets or pods which are light weight and don't take up much space.
Use the ice bag to stop the sink or tub from draining if the drain stopper doesn't work. If the sink/tub aren't good options, consider bringing a 13-20L dry bag, or using a plastic trash can (wash it out 1st). Many people mentioned this laundry washing bag: https://www.amazon.com/Scrubba-Wash-Bag-Portable-Backpacking/dp/B01N68XF0O/ref=sr_1_5?crid=AOALV1JPGOQK&keywords=portable%2Blaundry%2Bwash%2Bbag&qid=1676303048&sprefix=portable%2Blaundry%2Bwash%2Bba%2Caps%2C107&sr=8-5&th=1
Roll clothes like a jelly roll in a clean, dry towel to get out as much moisture as possible
Bring a paracord and carabiner for creating a clothesline.
Bring small binder clips. They are smaller than clothes pins and easier to use on a line than hangers.
Aim a hair dryer at the clothesline for a bit while you are able to watch it.
https://www.reddit.com/r/onebag/comments/110m359/sink_washing/
Socks may take the longest to dry. Hang them from your backpack the next morning?
"There is a small public laundromat in Wengen behind the Intersport Alpia store (across from the Eiger Residence, near the train station) that is open 7:00 am to 10:00 pm seven days a week. Follow the signs to the hair salon. The Laundromat (“Waschsalon”) is located directly across from the entrance to the hair salon behind a brown door (usually there is no sign). There are two washers that take 5 franc coins only (wash time approximately 40 minutes) and one dryer that takes 5 franc coins (5 francs per hour). If you don’t have correct change you can get some at Hotel Silberhorn which is just south of the Intersport Alipa store. The dryer doesn’t work particularly well but if you don’t overload it you can get a load dry in an hour. There are instructions printed on the machines in English. There is usually no detergent available there so you will have to buy some at one of the markets in town. (In a pinch, check the area just behind the washers. That’s where a number of frequent visitors stash their left-over detergent for the next “in the know” visitor.) It’s best to go early since there’s often a line at other times. And given the limited public laundry services, be on time to retrieve your laundry from the machines. Otherwise, expect to find your things piled up on one of the tables."
A couple people mention that there are 2 washers and sometimes a line of 2 people waiting for a washer.
There are a few laundromats in Interlaken, one in Lauterbrunnen called Waschsalon.
Electrical/Voltage converters: When you search on Amazon for electrical converters, they just give you $15 devices that have the correct plug size, but flow the 230V directly to your devices. Have to search for voltage converter.
This device does 230V to 110V, max 250W. Hair dryer is 1500W+. https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07KXB5J35/ref=ox_sc_act_title_1?smid=A11DZT6VKD1BL0&psc=1
Laptops have an inverter in the cord that can handle 230V. Also need to charge phones and cameras. People say it is basically impossible to use a US hairdryer in Switzerland. Wet hair at dinner? Buy a Swiss hair dryer?
Packing food for hiking:
This article talks about what the Swiss take with them while hiking https://swissfamilyfun.com/swiss-hiking-food/
We need to buy new luggage. Reading about spinners vs 2 wheels and hard vs soft side. Hard side tend to be clamshell and you have to lay them all the way flat to get stuff in and out. You only pack stuff in one side of a soft side and can put it against a wall so that the top rests on the wall when it is open. Hard scuffs. Hard side will protect your belongings in the rain. Soft side is lighter. 4 wheels are easier to use but are more fragile and the space they occupy counts against your allowed space and it holds none of your belongings.
Comments
Post a Comment