Mountaineering Checklist
Here’s the items I bring for a mountaineering outing. Of course, you should always take what you think is necessary. Especially if you’re doing backcountry hikes and risk getting stranded overnight in freezing temperatures.
- (Feet) Crampons or Snowshoes: One or the other or both depending on snow conditions and steepness of terrain.
- (Feet) Boots.
- (Feet) Sock liners: Very important, at least for me anyways. I water proofed the exterior of my boots, so there’s hardly any breathability. Sock liners wick the moisture to the socks.
- (Feet) Socks: I got a nice thick pair of synthetic wool. Very comfortable and warm.
- (Bottom) Gators.
- (Bottom) Under Armor boxer-briefs: Another level of comfortable. Also awesome in the summer.
- (Bottom) Leg warmers: I use ones that I use for cycling. I use this as a base layer.
- (Bottom) Hiking pants.
- (Bottom) Snow pants: I use snowboarding pants. I’m sure there are lighter ones out there, but those are beyond my budget. Also, get ones with vent zips on the inner thigh and cargo pockets.
- (Top) Moisture wicking long sleeve: Base layer.
- (Top) Short sleeve wicking shirt: Another layer of warm.
- (Top) Fleece long sleeve: My warm layer.
- (Top) Down jacket: Used when the weather is expected to get really cold. Otherwise I leave it in the car.
- (Top) Outter shell
- (Hands) Gloves – waterproof: Mostly for staying warm on the descents.
- (Hands) Gloves – fleece: Used during the climb.
- (Hands) Ice axe
- (Head) Balaclava: Covers the entire face if needed, or can be adjusted to cover the neck only.
- (Head) Wool cap: For when it gets colder and more insulation is needed.
- (Head) Helmet.
- (Head) Headlamp.
- (Head) Sunglasses or goggles: I prefer goggles. Especially while climbing. Keeps the wind out.
- (Misc) Sunscreen.
- (Misc) GPS.
- (Misc) Extra batteries: for GPS and headlamp.
- (Misc) Camera.
- (Misc) Memory card.
- (Misc) Extra batteries.
- (Misc) GU Gel.
- (Misc) Hydration: My requirements are about 1 liter for every 2000′ of gain.
- (Misc) Lunch.
- (Misc) Hiking poles.
That’s my list I used on the last climb, and it covered everything I needed. Of course it’s missing the essential survival items and the 10 essentials. But those should already be included in your kit. You can read a little about that here.
I’m sure I’m missing something…
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This entry was posted on Friday, January 14th, 2011 at 12:13 am and is filed under John's Guide to Hiking, Winter Hiking/Mountaineering. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.
