Ice Axe

A general mountaineering ice axe. We recommend the following size as a general guideline to follow. When in doubt, a shorter ice axe is better than a longer axe. Heights 5'4” and under should use a 52 cm axe, 5'5'' to 6’0'' use a 59 cm axe, above 6'0'' use a 66 cm axe. Note that wrist leashes should be removed from your axe. Check out our write-up to learn more about different ice axes.

Accessory Cord

40 feet of 6mm accessory cord to be used for prussiking and other climbing rigging. If you plan to bring your own pre-tied prussiks, please contact the Gear Department ahead of time. You will need cord for more than just prussiks. Make sure the cord is soft, flexible and supple. Stiff and rigid cord will not work. To test this, hold the final 12-inch/30-cm piece of the cord in the air, with your hand below. If the cord stands up straight (stalagmite style) it will not work.

Crampons

General mountaineering crampons. We recommend modern steel 12-point crampons with anti-balling plates. Please do not bring 10-point, aluminum, or single-piece rigid crampons. If you have questions about the suitability of your crampons for your trip, call or email the Gear Department. Check out our write-up to learn more about how to fit your crampons.

Alpine Climbing Harness

Your harness must fit over all of your clothing, feature gear loops, adjustable leg loops and waist belt, and must be able to fully separate at the legs . We strongly recommend newer models with a belay loop and which do not require "doubling back" your waist belt - older models are cumbersome. Check out our write-up to learn more.

Locking Carabiners

Four (4) locking carabiners are required. Screw-lock models are required, ideally with large openings for easy manipulation

Standard Carabiners

Four (4) non-locking, lightweight carabiners. Wiregates are recommended over standard gates.

Belay Device plus 1 Locking Carabiner

Modern tube-style belay device and 1 large, pear-shaped locking carabiner. Avoid super-specialized belay devices which cannot accept a wide variety of rope diameters. We recommend models like the Black Diamond Guide ATC or Petzl Reverso.

One (1) double-length (48 in or 120 cm) runner is required. Pre-sewn Dynex/Dyneema models are preferred over nylon models. Do not bring a self-tied sling.

Trekking Poles

Collapsible skiing/trekking poles with snow baskets. Three-section varieties are preferred.

Wool or Synthetic Socks

Three pairs of medium to heavy hiking socks. These must fit over your liner socks if you plan to wear liner socks.

Single Mountaineering Boots

Crampon-compatible, full-shank leather or synthetic mountaineering boots. Models such as the La Sportiva Nepal Evo GTX are ideal.

Gaiters

Full-sized waterproof gaiters that must fit snugly over your boots. Short trekking gaiters do not offer sufficient protection. If using a boot with a built-in gaiter, separate gaiters are not necessary.

Rock Climbing Shoes

Emphasizing a comfortable, snug fit, your rock climbing shoes must be comfortable for extended periods of use across varied rock terrain. Lace-up style shoes are recommended. Avoid down-turned or high-end sport climbing specific shoes.

Approach Shoes

Climber-specific approach shoes are required, with lightweight but sturdy construction, as well as excellent traction on rock and rough terrain. These shoes will be used while on approach to climb locations, and sometimes on the climb itself. Trail running or tennis shoes will not be sufficient. Check out our write-up to learn more.

Short Underwear

Two to three pairs including the pair you are wearing on Day 1. Synthetic or wool fabrics only - no cotton! Bring comfortable athletic styles based on your needs and preferences (e.g., boxers, briefs, sports bras).

Baselayer Bottom

Non-cotton baselayer bottoms that should fit snugly without constriction. We recommend lighter weight baselayers rather than heavier fleece-type layers. Wool, wool blend, polyester, or other synthetic fabrics all work well. Be sure your baselayer pants are not constructed from cotton.

Synthetic T-shirt

One or two short-sleeved outdoor t-shirts for hiking on warm days. "Tech tees" work well for this, as they are synthetic and quick-drying.

Long Sleeve Sun Shirt

One long-sleeved base layer top. This item must be constructed of a non-cotton material such as merino wool or polyester. Note that light-colored, hooded sun shirts are strongly recommended for sun protection, and are worn by guides throughout most climbs.

Second Baselayer Top

A second non-cotton baselayer top. Wool or synthetic fabrics are required. Short or long sleeve acceptable, though we recommend long sleeve.

Softshell Pants

Stretchy, comfortable, non-insulated softshell pants that should fit comfortably with or without your baselayer bottoms. Please note that "zip-off"-style trekking pants are too light to be considered softshell pants.

Synthetic Shorts

Comfortable, non-cotton athletic shorts can be used on warm rock climbing days and during warm approach hikes. Quick-dry, lightweight materials are recommended.

Hardshell Pants

Non-insulated, fully waterproof shell pants that must fit comfortably over your baselayer bottoms and softshell pants. Full-length separating size zippers are generally required; occasionally, 7/8th zippers (extending from the cuff of the pant to the upper hip) can suffice but are strongly advised against. Check out our write-up to learn more.

Softshell Jacket

This breathable but wind-and-weather resistant jacket is a key part of a mountaineering layering system. We recommend a hooded model. This layer must fit well over your midlayer top and baselayer top. Check out our write-up to learn more.

Midlayer Top

A midweight, form-fitting, lightweight fleece layer for use over baselayers. Hoods are optional but recommended. Grid fleeces generally provide the best warmth-to-weight ratio. Note that very light puffy jackets can also suffice as a midlayer.

Rock Climbing Clothing

Cotton shorts, t-shirts, and lightweight comfortable nylon climbing pants that allow freedom of movement.

Hardshell Jacket

A non-insulated, fully waterproof shell jacket with a hood. Must fit comfortably over your baselayer, midlayer, and softshell. Helmet-compatible hoods are required. Check out our write-up to learn more.

Insulated Hooded Jacket

A light down or synthetic hooded jacket. Down feathers are more packable and lighter weight, while synthetic insulation will retain warmth when wet.

Lightweight Liner Gloves

Very lightweight wool or synthetic liner gloves that offer a snug, comfortable fit. Lighter colors absorb less sunlight while still offering UV protection. Black or dark-color gloves are also acceptable.

Softshell Gloves

Midweight, lightly insulated gloves for use when mittens are too warm and liner gloves are not warm enough. Leather-palm construction is always ideal for the sake of durability. Check out our write-up to learn more.

Insulated Mittens

Waterproof shell mittens with insulating liners. We recommend that your liner gloves can fit inside the mitten system as well.

Rappel/Belay Gloves

One (1) pair of climbing-specific rappel/belay gloves are recommended for comfort when belaying a partner or descending routes via rappel. Leather models are recommended for durability and comfort. Full-finger models only.

Climbing Helmet

A lightweight climbing-specific helmet. This must fit comfortably over your bare head, hat, and/or balaclava, and your headlamp must be able to strap securely to the outside of the helmet. Check out our write-up to learn more about helmets.

Buff

A must-have for all outdoor activities, the UV Buff is a versatile replacement for the bandana and serves a multitude of purposes. Check out our write-up to learn more.

Sun Hat

Any style of lightweight hat for shading the head will work well. Baseball caps and sombrero-style sun hats are the most common.

Wool/Synthetic Ski Hat

A non-cotton wool or synthetic hat that covers the head and ears comfortably.

Glacier Glasses

High-quality glacier glasses offering full coverage around both eyes and across the nose. Removable side-shields are not required provided eye coverage is sufficient. For individuals that wear prescription glasses we recommend reading this blog post for tips on eyewear. For guide techniques on how to reduce glacier glasses from fogging check out this post here.

Headlamp

A modern outdoor LED headlamp offering 200-300 lumens of output. Freshly installed batteries plus spare batteries. Rental headlamps do not include spare batteries. Weather-resistant models are strongly preferred. Check out our write-ups here to learn more.

30-Liter Climbing Pack

An approximately 30-liter climbing-specific pack is required. Larger, taller packs will not be allowed as they impede safe travel in steep terrain. Choose models such as the Arc'teryx Alpha FL 30, Patagonia Ascensionist 30, or The North Face Verto 27 which are light, packable, and built for climbing. Note that normal backpacking packs do not work well.

Climbing Pack

Simple, light internal frame pack with 55-75 liters of carrying capacity. The volume chosen should reflect experience level packing and quality of gear. Practice packing your gear if choosing a smaller volume pack.

Tent

A 4-season, storm-ready tent. Double-walled tents are required. All tents must arrive with full guylines and snow stakes (most tents do not come with snow stakes and often need to be purchased separately). The listed rental price is charged per person using the tent. Check out our write-up to learn more about different types of tents.

Foam Pad

This pad should be either 3/4 or body length. Cut pieces of closed cell foam or industrially-crafted pads are both acceptable.

Inflatable Sleeping Pad

A full-length, modern inflatable sleeping pad is recommended. Older-style three-quarter length pads have been superseded by ultralight full-length pads. We recommend bringing a valve repair/body patch kit.

20°F Sleeping Bag

Whether filled with down or synthetic insulation, this bag must be rated to 20°F and feature a collared hood for warmth. Be sure to include a compression stuff sack.

Hydration Reservoir + Bottle

Bring along both a one-liter capacity hard-sided Nalgene bottle and a hydration system. We recommend using a 2-3 liter hydration bladder for maximum comfort and ease. This combination will allow you to stay hydrated while carrying some backup water in case of a reservoir puncture. We recommend the HydraPak Water Reservoirs, as this system is far more durable than a traditional Camelbak product. Check out our write-up to learn more about hydration systems.

Lighters

Two small, light Bic-style lighters are recommended for starting your cook stove. Matches can fail in humid climates and leave waste behind.

Stove

A liquid fuel or IsoPro cartridge-burning stove can be used. Fuel for liquid-burning stoves will be provided at no additional cost. Those wishing to use IsoPro cartridge stoves will need to purchase fuel on site. Please note that we rent liquid fuel stoves. Check out our instructional article and videos on selecting a stove!

Knife

Medium-sized. Keep it simple and light.

Spoon

One durable hard plastic or anodized metal spoon. Longer spoon stems can be helpful for eating while wearing gloves.

Mug

One insulated outdoor-style mug with a removable lid. Your mug should retain heat well and be spill resistant. Models with 12-20 oz capacity generally work best.

Pee Bottle

Collapsible or hard-sided 1 liter Nalgene models can work well. If opting for a collapsible model, please pick a 1.5-2 liter model as it allows for more space while using in your sleeping bag. For longer expeditions and colder mountains (Everest, Vinson, Denali, etc..) we strongly recommend a hard-sided 1 liter Nalgene as the collapsible models tend to crack in extreme temperatures. Check out our write-up to learn more about pee bottles and funnels.

Bowl

One two-cup capacity packable bowl. Models with a lid (like a Tupperware) work well, as do lidless bowls and flatter "deep plate" models. Collapsible models can suffice, but must be handled very carefully to avoid unintended collapsing.

Fuel

Liquid fuel is included with the rental of a liquid stove system. Those using an canister stove will need to purchase isopro fuel which can bought during the gear check.

Pee Funnel (for Women)

Optional. Practice is critical for the use of this item. Check out our write-up to learn more about pee funnels and bottles.

Cooking Pots or System

A cook system sufficient for backcountry cooking. Many cooking systems are functional- practice makes perfect, whether using single pots or a more involved system including items such as a frying pan. Note that some stove systems integrate directly with a pot.

Disposable Waste Kits

All solid waste must be carried out of the backcountry, so one waste kit per 1-2 days is typically sufficient. Kits are reusable at your personal discretion.

Compass (Optional)

A Northern Hemisphere compass with a sighting mirror and adjustable declination. Mechanical compasses are recommended over electronic compasses for wilderness navigation. This item is not required, but is useful in assessing wind direction, slope aspect, and for backcountry navigation.

Insect Repellent

One small bottle of insect repellent.

Trash Compactor/Contractor Bags

Three heavy plastic garbage bags for use as waterproof pack/stuff sack liners. Trash compactor or contractor bags are made from a heavier plastic and stand up well to prolonged mountain use. Alternatively, a reusable waterproof pack liner can be used provided it completely fills the inside of your pack.

Camera

Optional. Small point-and-shoot cameras (including compact SLR's) are ideal & work well at altitude. Alternatively, many opt to use a smartphone camera. Due to weight & care in the mountain environment, large dSLR cameras are discouraged.

Small personal power bank (Optional)

Small portable battery bank for charging personal items like a cell phone. We recommend models that weight less than 7oz and have enough charge for the length of the trip. Good options Goal Zero Flip 36 which can charge a smartphone three times. We strongly recommend keeping phones in airplane mode to increase battery life in the field. If concerned about pack weight, we recommend forgoing this item.

Toiletry Bag

Include toilet paper (stored in a plastic bag), hand sanitizer, toothbrush, toothpaste, floss, wet wipes, and any personal medications or prescriptions. Choose a quantity appropriate for the length of your trip. Female climbers should bring an appropriate amount of feminine hygiene products for the duration of the trip (for international trips, these can be difficult to find last minute in-country).

Water Purification

One set of chemical water treatment drops or tablets. We recommend AquaMira, but be sure to purchase the style designed for treating one liter at a time. Lightweight Steri-Pens with extra batteries can suffice. Be sure your system will be sufficient for the entire duration of your trip- some packages of tablets treat only a very small amount of water! As a general guideline, allow for four to six liters of water per day when treating water is necessary.

Campground Toiletries

A towel, soap, and shampoo for use in campground showers on select nights of the course.

Sunscreen

Two to four ounces of SPF 30+ sunscreen. Varieties with zinc-oxide are more protective! Two to four ounces per week is typically sufficient, but several small tubes can offer insurance against lost or exploded tubes. Sunscreen loses SPF rating over time; we strongly recommend brand-new sunscreen.

Lipscreen

Several tubes of SPF 30+ lipscreen. As with sunscreen, be sure your lipscreen is new.

Altimeter/Smart Watch (Optional)

Altimeter and Smart Watches are increasingly popular and a great way to track your trip in the field. Models with GPS tracking, altimeter, and activity mode options are most common in addition to having traditional watch features like an alarm clock. Smart watches can be a very helpful tool in training for your climb. For a long trip, we recommend bringing a power bank and charging cable into the field as GPS tracking requires a significant amount of a battery power. For more information on altimeters and smart watches please read our blog post.

Small Personal First-Aid Kit

Basic medical supplies in a compact package. We recommend over-the-counter pain relievers, Moleskin, first-aid tape, Band-Aids, and anti-septic wipes or gel.

Earplugs

Always recommended for getting high-quality rest. Soft foam rather than wax models are recommended as they are light and disposable.

Hand Sanitizer

Many alcohol-based hand cleaners will work well. Bring a small amount appropriate to the trip duration.

Face Mask (Optional)

We recommend that all climbers have a face mask easily accessible in a waterproof bag (Ziploc, etc.).

Bear Canister or Ursack

A portable certified bear resistant container. This can be a traditional bear canister such as a BearVault, or a soft-sided Ursack is also acceptable. You will only need to use this item for a portion of the course while backcountry camping for 4-5 days at a time. We recommend models with approximately 2L per person per day such as the BearVault BV450 or the Ursack Major. Make sure it can fit all your food and any scented items such as toothpaste, deodorant, sunscreen, hand sanitizer, chapstick, etc.

Food

Bring the following snacks and lunches for your climb:

• Breakfast x 6 (300-600 calories each)
• Lunch and snacks x 8 (800-1600 calories each)
• Dinner x 6 (800-1200 calories each)
• Dessert x 6 (cookies, candy, chocolate, etc.)
• Energy food for summit or big travel days (Energy bars, energy chews, gels, candy bars, etc.)
• 2-5 hot drinks per day (instant coffee, hot chocolate, tea, apple cider)
• Desired condiments (salt, pepper, mustard, hot sauce, olive oil, sugar, etc.)

Follow the link here for further recommendations.

Travel Clothes

Clean 'town' clothing is recommend for use traveling as well as pre-and-post trip. We recommend bringing a comfortable variety of clothing for peace of mind, including some t-shirts.

Large Duffel Bag

For traveling to your start location, a large soft-sided duffel is recommended. Purchase a travel lock for peace of mind. Do not bring wheeled nor hard-sided models.