Mountaineering Gear Checklist

This list is geared toward glacier, mixed alpine and ice climbing. Choose items depending on what you're climbing. Check your route description and talk with others who have done the route to determine exactly what you'll need. Don't take too much gear, but make sure you have what you need.

The 10+ Essentials

	Map of the area in a waterproof case
	Compass
	Extra clothing
	Extra food
	Drinking water in an insulated container
	Headlamp with extra bulb and batteries

	Pocket knife
	First-aid kit
	Matches in a waterproof container
	Fire starter (or candle)
	Sunscreen(don't forget that snow reflects — you can burn on overcast days!)
	Glacier glasseswith side shields

Clothing ( Men's/ Women's/ Kids')
(No cotton! Cotton robs your body of heat if you get wet from weather or exertion. Choose synthetics, which retain heat when wet.)

	Plastic double mountaineering bootsOR
	Leather mountaineering boots(must be crampon-comptatible)
	Wool or synthetic socks and liners
	Gaitersto keep out snow
	Rain jacket and pants—Gore-Tex® or other waterproof/breathable fabric
	Long underwear top and bottoms — Light to heavyweight depending on season

	Insulating fleece or wool sweater, shirt or jacket
	Insulating fleece tights/pants or wool pants
	Down jacket in a waterproof stuff sack
	Insulating mitts with waterproof/breathable overmitts
	Two pairs of liner gloves and/or a pair of fingerless glove-mitts
	Warm (fleece, wool, Windbloc™) hat or headband to wear under helmet

Climbing Gear

	Ice axe
	Ice tools— one with hammer, one with adze
	Extra ice tool picks and wrench to change them
	Crampons
	Helmet
	Seat harness
	Chest sling or harness
	Rope(preferably dry-treated)
	Carabiners— Several locking and nonlocking
	Belay/rappel device
	Runners— Several sewn and a couple tied — at least 1 double-length

	Prussik slings— for crevasse self-rescue
	Rescue pulley
	Wands
	Pickets, flukes, and/or ice screws
	Snow shovel
	Snow saw
	Avalanche beacon
	Avalanche probe or probe poles
	Ascendersor prussik loops
	Belay gloves
	Snowshoesor skis
	Internal-framepack large enough to fit all your gear

Additional Gear for Overnight Trips

	Pack cover
	Four-season tent
	Snow stakes
	Ground cloth
	Tent broom
	Sleeping bag in waterproof stuff sack
	Compression stuff sack — Makes carrying bulky winter clothes and sleeping bag easier
	Sleeping pad (full length is best for sleeping on snow)
	Nylon stuff sacks for organizing gear
	Plastic Ziploc bags for water-tight storage

	Stove
	Platform for cooking on snow
	Fuel (bring enough to melt snow)
	Large pot with lid (for melting snow)
	Pot gripper
	Eating utensils, bowl, cup
	Pot scrubber/biodegradable soap
	Water filter/purifier or iodine tablets
	Extra water bottles or collapsible water sack for use in camp
	Personal gear/toiletries/toilet paper and plastic bag to pack it out
	Enough high-calorie food to keep you warm and moving for the length of your trip

Optional Items

	Day or summit pack
	River-crossing footwear
	Camera and film
	Insect repellent
	Altimeter

	Handwarmers
	Insulated vacuum bottle
	Nylon hiking shorts
	Gore-Tex® oversocks