Climbing Equipment
Rental
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Ice Axe w/Leash
General mountaineering tool. Sizing is important: under 5'7" use a 60cm tool; 5'7"- 6'1" use a 65cm tool; over 6'1" use a 70cm tool. (Too short is preferable to too long). No rubberized grips-they are heavy and do not plunge well into the snow. Make sure that you have a leash that is designed for use on a glacier axe or a leash that you make from 9/16 webbing. A proper mountaineering Ice Axe will be provided by local outfitter. Stubai / Black Diamond.
$47
Crampons
With flat rather than 'cookie cutter' frame rails. Your crampons should be steel, not aluminum for strength and durability. A combination heel bail/toe strap is a more universal system than a heel and toe bail system. We strongly recommend crampons with anti-balling plates Provided by local outfitter. Black Diamond.
$25
Alpine Climbing Harness plus two locking carabiners.
Harness should fit over all clothing, have gear loops, adjustable leg loops and be reasonably comfortable to hang suspended in. Make sure you can get into the harness without having to step through any part of it. (Provided by local outfitter). We use Black Diamond
Contact crampons.
Footwear
$65
Double Plastic Climbing Boots or Non-plastic double climbing boots
Good quality climbing boot with a removable inner boot. Avoid tight fit with heavy socks. Comfort is key in buying boots. Spend a little extra time walking around the store or take them home and wear them around your house to make sure the fit is right. A little big is always better than a little small. Our local outfitter recommends stiff leather
Trekking Shoes
Worn during approach hike once trail is free of snow. Upon reaching snow line plastic boots are used for the duration
of the climb.
$37
Gaiters .
Wool or Synthetic Socks
2 pair heavyweight wool or synthetic socks (wool is warmer) to be worn over the liner socks. When layering socks, check fit over feet and inside boots. It is very important to buy new socks regularly as they lose their cushioning over time. Socks with padded shins are especially nice with plastic boots.
Liner Socks
2 pair of smooth thin wool, nylon or Capilene to be worn next to the skin. This reduces the incidence of blisters and hot-spots and makes the outer sock last longer before needing to be changed. They should fit well with your heavyweight socks.
Technical Clothing
Synthetic Short Underwear.
2-3 Pairs of NON-Cotton short style underwear. (boxers, briefs, panties, bras etc.) Amount based on personal preference.
Lightweight Long Underwear ( M | W )
1 top & 2 pair bottoms (2nd pair bottoms optional), synthetic or Merino wool. No Cotton.
Mediumweight Long Underwear Shirt ( M | W ). Zip-T- neck top allows more ventilation options.
Heavyweight Soft Shell Jacket ( M | W )
This jacket will be worn over your other layers and underneath your shell jacket.
$56
Soft Shell Pants ( M | W ). These non-insulated pants can be worn everyday during the climb as they are more versatile than fleece.
$59
Hard Shell Jacket w/ hood ( M | W )
We recommend a waterproof breathable shell material with full front zipper, underarm zips, and no insulation. This outer layer protects against wind and rain.
$56
Hard Shell Pants ( M | W )
Waterproof, breatheable. Full length side zippers preferred because it allows easy removal of pants, 7/8th zippers allowed but is more difficult to remove pants. No short 1/2 length, or short lower leg zippers allowed as it is difficult to put pants on when crampons are already on.
Insulated Down Jacket or Parka w/ hood ( M | W ). Medium weight down Jacket or Parka. The jacket/parka is worn during breaks or climbing in extremely cold weather.
*Note that the term Parka is used to describe a down jacket that has a longer cut. Generally jackets come down to the waist while a parka goes few inches below.
$49
Insulated Synthetic Pants ( M | W )
This is a heavy insulating layer generally worn over your other pant layers. Full side zips allow easy on and off when wearing mountaineering boots. Lightweight synthetic is less bulky and generally warmer than fleece. (Optional after July 1st)
Headwear
Warm Lightweight synthetic/wool hat .
Balaclava or Buff .
Baseball Cap or other Sun Hat .
Bandana. To shade the neck. (Optional)
$42
Glacier glasses (w/ side covers or wrap around).
Regular sunglasses are usually not sufficient. 100% UV, IR, high quality optical lenses designed for mountain use, must have side covers and leashes. No more than 10% light transmission. If you wear contact lenses we recommend packing a spare pair of glasses - it is a good idea to have these with "photo-gray" or equivalent light-sensitive material so they can double as emergency sunglasses. If you wear glasses we recommend prescription glacier glasses (gray or amber).
$42
Ski Goggles , 1 pair.
Handwear
Lightweight Synthetic Liner Gloves
1 Pair. To wear alone on very sunny days for hand protection or as a layering piece with your Shell mitts.
$38
Soft Shell Gloves
1 Pair. This glove is usually worn alone and during times when the shell mitts would be too warm. This glove can have a light shell exterior.
$63
Shell Mitts w/ insulated removable liners.
Waterproof, breathable shell material. We recommend that the insulation in your mitts can be removed in order to dry faster. Make sure that you can wear your Lightweight Synthetic Liner gloves inside the mitts. Shell gloves 'ski gloves' can substitute for mitts during the later part of the climbing season.
Personal Equipment
Expedition Backpack
Internal frame pack expandable to a minimum of 55L - 65L (3,500-4,000 cu.in.) Keep simple and light, avoid unnecessary zippers. A smaller day pack is recommended for shorter day hikes.
Sleeping Bag and Pad
Our local outfitter will provide sleeping bags and pads for the one night we camp.
$48
Avalanche Transceiver.
Digital is preferred over analog due to ease of use and unit should operate at 457mhz.
$35
Ski/Trekking Poles w/ Snow Baskets
Snow baskets are required. Helpful for balance when carrying a heavy pack, traveling on uneven terrain or if you have knee problems. Collapsible three section pole preferred.
Eating Gear: Our local outfitter will provide eating gear for the one night we do camp.
$20
Headlamp
If batteries are brand new spare batteries are not required. LED headlamps preferred due to their low bulk, long battery and bulb life. Spare bulbs not necessary for LED lights.
Sunscreen.
SPF 40 or better, 2 small tubes. Note: Sunscreen older than 6 months loses half of its SPF rating, make sure that you have new sunscreen.
Lipscreen .
Water Bottles
2 or 3 Wide mouth bottles with minimum 1 Litre capacity per bottle. Waterbottles need to be leak proof.
Hydration Reservoir.
Optional item but not a substitute or replacement for water bottles.
Toiletry Bag.
Include toilet paper (no more that one roll stored in plastic bag), alcohol hand sanitizer, toothbrush, toothpaste. Do not include soap, shampoo, deodorant, or cosmetics.
Small Personal First-Aid Kit
(Simple and Light) Aspirin (Extra Strength Excedrin is best), Antibiotic ointment, Moleskin, molefoam,
Trash Compactor bags (3).
To line stuff sacks and pack. Trash Compactor bags are made from a heavier plastic.
Camera gear: Optional. Keep it simple and light. Disposable and digital cameras also work well.
Traveling
Travel Clothes. A set of clean clothes is nice to have to change into after the trip.
Large Duffel Bag w/ travel lock
Used for transporting your gear and for storage of extra gear at Alpine Ascents.
Washington Climbs Rental Information
Reserve: Please submit one reservation per person per departure. Recommend
submitting reservation at least two weeks in advance.
Payment: Due at the end of your gearcheck. Cash, Check, and major credit cards accepted. WA State Sales tax applies to all Washington rentals.
Confirmation: Allow 48-72 hours for confirmation via email.
Damage Deposit: Copy of credit card information to be kept on file. Fees may be applied to your card on file for repair or replacement of damaged items.
Pickup: Rentals items are issued during your gearcheck. Sizing adjustments can be made at that time. Early arrival is not required.
Rental Agreement Terms and Conditions
