Mountaineering Gear List

An equipment and apparel checklist for multi-day mountaineering objectives.

GEAR will vary with conditions and objectives, but this list is my standard kit 90% of the time:

  • Pack; big enough to fit overnight gear and light enough for summit day (40-55L)

  • Shelter; sized for number of users, tent or “mid”-style shelter, perhaps bivy sack if weather allows, (remember poles, stakes, guy-lines, anchor material)

  • Sleeping bag; rated 15-30F, dry-treaded down or synthetic

  • Sleeping pad; inflate-able and insulated air mattress (optional added closed-cell foam mat for extra insulation and comfort around camp)

  • Stove, pot, gas, lighter, bowl/cup, spoon (sufficient gas per person/per day, extra gas to melt snow for water)

  • Water bottles; often 1 hard bottle and 1 bladder, often small water filter

  • Avalanche shovel (possible beacon and probe if conditions require)

  • Ice axe and boot crampons (if minimal rock, I often prefer aluminum crampons)

  • Pickets; depending on conditions and objective, mid-clip with cable

  • Glacier travel kit for rescue and belay (see My Glacier Travel Kit page for an example)

  • Communication (InReach, phone, radio), Navigation (phone, altimeter/GPS watch, map/compass)

  • Leave No Trace items (WAG bags, trash bags)

  • Headlamp and First aid and Repair kit (bring extra batteries)

  • Minimal toiletries; sunscreen, lip balm, tp, toothbrush, toothpaste, earplugs, hand sanitizer

 
 
 

APPAREL and FOOTWEAR choices are always weather, conditions, and objective dependent but these are my go-to options for most outings:

Footwear

  • Mountaineering boots; appropriate for conditions and objective (optional camp booties)

  • Socks; I often bring an extra pair

  • Gaiters; only if conditions require (ie deep punchy snow)

  • Possible tennies; only if miles of dry trail before snow

Tops

  • Baselayer shirt and/or Sun hoody

  • Wind shirt

  • Softshell fleece jacket w/ hood

  • Thin hardshell waterproof/breathable jacket w/ hood

  • Insulating puffy jacket w/ hood (down or synthetic)

Bottoms

  • Baselayer undies OR 3/4-length thermals

  • Insulated pants (often just worn at camp)

  • Softshell pants OR thin hardshell pants; weather dependent, typically don’t bring both

Heads, Hands, and Accessories

  • Ball cap or sunhat

  • Thin beanie

  • Sunglasses; glacier-style (often also bring clear lenses and/or goggles)

  • “Buff”-style headband/face cover

  • Gloves; often 2-3 pairs of varying thickness and dexterity