The backpack.

Whether you roam outside by day or night in the north, there are “non-negotiable” items you must carry for safety and comfort.

If you're out with a camera, spare batteries, cleaning cloths, connection cables, a remote and spare memory cards must be in your bag.

Energy and power.

For snacking and energy, keep nuts, energy bars and chocolate, plus water and drinks, in your bag. Carry a power bank backup unit to charge your phone. Don't be without a torch and spare batteries; preferably keep a multi-tool knife on you too — but on a flight you may not be allowed to carry it in your hand luggage and may have to check it in.

Care and health.

• —Spare shoes, socks, underwear — if possible.
• —Dry and wet wipes — among the things you'll use most.
• —Moisturiser, sunscreen and sunglasses — for cracking and snow glare.
• —All medications you take daily or for any chronic condition.
• —A protective bag — keep items that might get wet inside it.

Documents and keys.

Although a phone gives access to most information, keep your hotel booking details, a regional map and emergency numbers on paper too, so you aren't left without them in a critical moment. In case your bag is lost, write your name and a number to reach you or a relative inside it or in its ID slot.

Car and house keys are the most often forgotten items; make sure you have them all before you leave. If you've rented a car, learn its locking mechanism: some cars lock automatically when you close the door with the ignition on and leave you outside. Also, in windy weather an open car door can slam shut and trap you — don't open the door fully, or keep it closed until you're done.

Safety and travelling light.

In the Scandinavian countries especially, the crime rate is very low — Sweden, Iceland and Norway are among the safest countries in the world; in the sparsely populated northern towns it's lower still. Hard as it is to get used to, you can leave your belongings and run a quick errand at ease; you can keep valuables like your passport where you're staying. The chance of theft is far lower than the chance of losing something.

The price of carrying all this can be walking with a heavy bag. Nothing matches the ease of roaming free with nothing to carry — the lighter your bag, the more comfortably you travel and the less you tire.