Mountaineering Equipment list

Getting your equipment right for the mountain and conditions takes a bit of practice and thought. Too much and you’ll be heavy and slow, too little and you might have to turn around before the summit as you’re too cold.

A light rucksack means you will move faster and more efficiently, and on a long summit day, dropping a few kilos from your back can have a big effect. Basically, drop all the luxuries and listen to the advice of your guide when it comes to clothing. Ditch the book, PJ’s and cuddly toy – go light and fast!

In general it is best to have slightly too much kit to start with, and as you climb during the week you’ll be able to pair down the kit in your rucksack to the essentials. Chamonix is obviously a bit of a mecca for gear shops, so there is opportunity to go shopping whilst your here.

This kit list is designed for a Mountaineering ascents in normal summer conditions. Off season ascents obviously require a different set of (warmer) gear.

Technical Gear – which can be rented from us or in Chamonix:

• B2 or B3 Mountaineering boots. B2 boots are ideal as they are light and often easier to climb in
•  Crampons – 12 point steel mountaineering crampons are ideal, with a set of anti-balling plates
• Petzl Vasak for example. Lightweight Alloy crampons are not suitable for icy conditions and ice climbing crampons are heavy
•  Ice axe – 50cm. A walking style axe is fine and they are generally lighter than a climbing axe
• Remove all leashes and straps, they get in the way. Avoid bringing your 75cm walking axe, it will get in the way
•  Harness – large enough to go over your layers
• Helmet – Petzl Meteor’s are light and pretty tough
• Rucksack – Light and simple, 30 – 40 Ltr. Some rucksacks weigh over 2kg, some as little as 0.5kg

Clothing – There are lots of gear shops in Chamonix, from cheap to posh for last minute purchases:

• Gaiters for mountaineering boots. Keeps the snow out and stops you catching your crampons.
• Thin liner socks and mid weight walking socks. Can prevent blisters if you have two layers, but not essential.
• Warm gloves for summit day, e.g Mountain Equipment guide glove or similar. Plus one pair of thinner fleece gloves for general walking.
• Warm hat, buff/neck gaiter and a sun hat.
• Waterproof jacket and trousers, lightweight is best. Ideally your jackets hood will go over a helmet.
• Trousers – Mid weight soft shell trousers are ideal, and normally wouldn’t require a thermal layer underneath, you can use the waterproof trousers if it’s windy above the Gouter hut. E.g. Arcteryx Beta pants. Thinner trousers can work, but you may need a thermal layer as well.
• Thermal top layer, thin long sleeved tops work best to keep the sun off.
• Mid weight top layer. Fleece or other synthetic.
• Lightweight down or mid weight synthetic over jacket. This needs to be able to go over all your other layers so you can add or remove it without having to take your waterproof or harness off.