On the Mountain

Climbing Gear

• Ice Axe – we suggest a classic mountaineering axe about 60cm - a light model like the Grivel Air-tech is ideal.
• Crampons – A classic pair of 12 point crampons like the Grivel G12.
• Harness – An alpine style harness that will fit over many layers of clothes and can be put on easily over boots is best. The DMM Super Couloir and the Black Diamond Alpine Bod are both excellent.
• 2x Screw Gate karabiners, 2x snap link karabiners 2x prussic loops and 1x 8ft sling – this is your basic glacier travel equipment.
• Trekking poles - with snow baskets are really useful.

On your Feet

• Hiking boots - or approach shoes are really useful below the snow line and some of the acclimatisation days.
• Plastic double boots - are essential for warm feet on the summit day. Scarpa Omega or La Sportiva Spantik are brilliant, the Asolo AFS range are also excellent and the Scarpa Vega work well. Make sure you have used them a lot before coming on the trip. Blisters will ruin your adventure.
• Gaiters – good quality breathable gaiters will keep the snow out and the heat in.
• Socks - good quality wool sock like those produced by smart wool will promote comfort and help reduce the chance of blisters.
• Camp boots – these can make hut life more comfortable the best ones we have found are available on line from www.mec.ca called hut booties.

Clothing

• Thermal top and bottoms - wicking fabric, no cotton - a zip neck is good for ventilation bring a couple of tops as you may not have much opportunity to wash clothes.
• Underwear – quick drying is more comfortable.
• Fleece – A thin fleece is a great layering piece.
• Soft Shell Jacket – preferably with a hood.
• Soft Shell Trousers.
• Puff Ball – A light synthetic down (Primaloft) style top is really useful.
• Gore Tex Jacket and Trousers – These must be able to fit over the previous layers and you must be able to put the trousers on over your plastic boots.
• Down Jacket – medium weight, which will fit over all your other layers.
• Hat – a warm one.
• Balaclava – A thin one.
• Sun Hat.
• Sun glasses with Category 4 lenses.
• Ski goggles.
• Thin Gloves.
• Thick Gloves.
• Mitts- Warm high altitude type.
• Rucksack – About 60L - you will need to carry all your kit to the Barrels hut if the top stage of the lift isn’t working and it is unlikely you will get your sleeping bag etc in a smaller bag.
• An additional smaller rucksack, about 40L, is ideal for the acclimatization phase.
• Head torch- bring spare batteries in case you can not buy them locally.

Sleeping

• Sleeping bag – rated to about -15c -20c, down is warmer for weight and compresses better for travel, also bring a compression sac to make it easier to transport.
• Sleeping Mat – The huts have mattresses but you make like the extra comfort of a thermarest or karrimat.

Personal Kit

• Personal First aid kit – this should include pain killers and blister kit plus any prescription medicine. Due to insurance issues, Guides cannot provide any medication, including pain killers.
• Sunscreen – At lease factor 30, ‘Sunsense’ factor 60 is the best we have found
• Lipscreen – Again at least factor 30.
• Water Bottle – 2 separate litres are really useful; A flask and a wide mouthed water bottle is a good combination, having an insulated container for the bottle is really useful - outdoor research make a really good one.
• Knife or leatherman.
• Pee Bottle – A wide mouthed bottle (separate from your water bottle!!) can save you going out in the night. For the ladies we recommend the ‘shepee’, but be sure to practice at home first!
• Plastic bags to keep kit dry.

Travel

• Wash Kit.
• Travel clothes – It’s worth bringing some shorts for travel/ swimming.
• Large Kit bag.
• Camera Gear with appropriate chargers / batteries, please do not rely on being able to recharge batteries.