Gear List

Ice Axe

A general mountaineering ice axe. We recommend the following size as a general guideline to follow. When in doubt, a shorter ice axe is better than a longer axe. Heights 5'4” and under should use a 52 cm axe, 5'5'' to 6’0'' use a 59 cm axe, above 6'0'' use a 66 cm axe. Note that wrist leashes should be removed from your axe. Check out our write-up to learn more about different ice axes.

Crampons

General mountaineering crampons. We recommend modern steel 12-point crampons with anti-balling plates. Please do not bring 10-point, aluminum, or single-piece rigid crampons. If you have questions about the suitability of your crampons for your trip, call or email the Gear Department. Check out our write-up to learn more about how to fit your crampons.

Climbing Harness Plus Two Locking Carabiners

Your harness must fit over all of your clothing, feature gear loops, adjustable leg loops and waist belt, and must be able to fully separate at the legs . We strongly recommend newer models with a belay loop and which do not require "doubling back" your waist belt - older models are cumbersome. Bring two locking carabiners in addition to the harness, which will be used only with the harness. Check out our write-up to learn more.

Trekking Poles

Collapsible trekking poles. A large variety of poles can work well. Three section models are preferred. Snow baskets are not necessary, although smaller trekking baskets can be nice. Basic Black Diamond Trail Poles are sufficient, but more expensive, lighter-weight models such as the Black Diamond Distance Carbon Z Poles offer a greater weight advantage.

Wool or Synthetic Socks

Three pairs of medium to heavy hiking socks. These must fit over your liner socks if you plan to wear liner socks.

Double Boots

Double boots designed for mountaineering. Plastic-shelled models are sufficient, but modern non-plastic boots are more comfortable and are highly recommended. Single boots of any kind (boots without a removable liner) will not be sufficient. If using a boot with a built-in gaiter, separate gaiters are not necessary.

Gaiters

Full-sized waterproof gaiters that must fit snugly over your boots. Short trekking gaiters do not offer sufficient protection. If using a boot with a built-in gaiter, separate gaiters are not necessary.

Booties

Optional. Synthetic or down camp booties for comfortable wear around camp.

Light Hiking Boots or Trekking Shoes

For any approaches across dry trail. Light weight, high comfort, plenty of room in the toe box, and good support should be stressed here. Street/city style shoes will not be allowed in place of hiking shoes.

Sport Sandals/Water Shoes

For river crossings. Crocs, Teva-style sandals, or similar footwear will work well. Should fit your heel (flip flops will not work).

Baselayer Bottom

Non-cotton baselayer bottoms that should fit snugly without constriction. We recommend lighter weight baselayers rather than heavier fleece-type layers. Wool, wool blend, polyester, or other synthetic fabrics all work well. Be sure your baselayer pants are not constructed from cotton.

Baselayer Tops

2-3 long-sleeved base layer tops total. We strongly recommend 1 light-colored sun hoody plus 1-2 other baselayer long-sleeved tops. Wool or synthetic fabrics are required (no cotton). Crew or zip-neck styles are equally useful.

Softshell Pants

Stretchy, comfortable, non-insulated softshell pants that should fit comfortably with or without your baselayer bottoms. Please note that "zip-off"-style trekking pants are too light to be considered softshell pants.

Wind Shell (OPTIONAL)

Used to block wind without adding insulation, many turn to a wind shell or wind shirt for protection. Wind shells typically weigh less than eight ounces and are incredibly packable, which makes them an excellent addition to your layering system. Read more on our blog.

Trekking Pants

A pair of lightweight nylon trekking pants. We recommend models that are simple, made with synthetic fabrics, and offer pockets for convenience. Zip-off models are not required, but are preferred by some.

Hardshell Pants

Non-insulated, fully waterproof shell pants that must fit comfortably over your baselayer bottoms and softshell pants. Full-length separating size zippers are generally required; occasionally, 7/8th zippers (extending from the cuff of the pant to the upper hip) can suffice but are strongly advised against. Check out our write-up to learn more.

Softshell Jacket

This breathable but wind-and-weather resistant jacket is a key part of a mountaineering layering system. We recommend a hooded model. This layer must fit well over your midlayer top and baselayer top. Check out our write-up to learn more.

Midlayer Top

A midweight, form-fitting, lightweight fleece layer for use over baselayers. Hoods are optional but recommended. Grid fleeces generally provide the best warmth-to-weight ratio. Note that very light puffy jackets can also suffice as a midlayer.

Hardshell Jacket

A non-insulated, fully waterproof shell jacket with a hood. We recommend durable three-layer fabric. Goretex Pro Shell or a similar eVent fabric will offer the most durability and long-term weather protection. This layer must fit comfortably over your baselayer, midlayer, softshell, and potentially a lightweight insulated layer. Helmet-compatible hoods are required.

Lightweight Insulated Jacket

Your lightweight insulated jacket serves either as a layering piece or as stand-alone insulation when appropriate. This may be filled with down or synthetic insulation. Down feathers are more packable and lighter weight, while synthetic insulation will retain warmth when wet.

Expedition Style Down Parka

This expedition style parka should be heavily insulated (minimum 250 grams of down fill weight) with high-quality down fill (800-fill or more). Your expedition style parka must extend below your waist and have an insulated hood. You will want to make sure it fits comfortably over the rest of your upper body layers. We recommend calling to discuss your parka choice, as this item is key to success on any expedition. Down sweaters or light puffy jackets will not be sufficient. Check out our blog post to learn more about down fill power and down fill weight.

Insulated Synthetic Pants

A synthetic insulated pant with full-length separating side zips. Ski pants are typically not appropriate for this layer.

Leather Gloves

One pair of light leather gloves is strongly recommended for this trip. Tents are setup using large rocks to anchor guylines, and moving rocks can destroy your climbing gloves. Cheap or non-technical leather gloves are sufficient for this item.

Lightweight Liner Gloves

Very lightweight wool or synthetic liner gloves that offer a snug, comfortable fit. Lighter colors absorb less sunlight while still offering UV protection. Black or dark-color gloves are also acceptable.

Softshell Gloves

Midweight, lightly insulated gloves for use when mittens are too warm and liner gloves are not warm enough. Leather-palm construction is always ideal for the sake of durability. Check out our write-up to learn more.

Insulated Shell Gloves

One pair of warm shell gloves with insulated removable liners. Excellent for use when conditions are too cold for softshell gloves, but too warm for expedition mittens. We recommend models with a durable leather palm.

Expedition Mittens

Expedition-rated mittens with an insulated removable liner. Please be sure this mitten is the warmest model available by any manufacturer.

Climbing Helmet

A lightweight climbing-specific helmet. This must fit comfortably over your bare head, hat, and/or balaclava, and your headlamp must be able to strap securely to the outside of the helmet. Check out our write-up to learn more about helmets.

Buff

Two buffs are a must-have. The UV Buff is a versatile replacement for the bandana and serves a multitude of purposes. Check out our write-up to learn more.

Sun Hat

Any style of lightweight hat for shading the head will work well. Baseball caps and sombrero-style sun hats are the most common.

Balaclava

One mid-to-heavyweight balaclava for face protection in very windy or stormy conditions. Choose a model that will fit comfortably over your head. Models with nose and mouth coverage are required.

Wool/Synthetic Ski Hat

A non-cotton wool or synthetic hat that covers the head and ears comfortably.

Glacier Glasses

High-quality glacier glasses offering full coverage around both eyes and across the nose. Removable side-shields are not required provided eye coverage is sufficient. For individuals that wear prescription glasses we recommend reading this blog post for tips on eyewear. For guide techniques on how to reduce glacier glasses from fogging check out this post here.

Ski Goggles

High-quality goggles for sun and wind protection at altitude. The lens should offer visible light transmission (VLT) of no more than 30%. Those with light-sensitive eyes may wish to use a darker lens. Photochromic models are ideal for use in changing conditions. See here for more.

Dust Mask (Optional)

For those that are sensitive to dust. Can be left at Base Camp.

Headlamp

A modern outdoor LED headlamp offering 200-300 lumens of output. Freshly installed batteries plus spare batteries. Rental headlamps do not include spare batteries. Weather-resistant models are strongly preferred. Check out our write-ups here to learn more.

NORMAL ROUTE - PACK

For those climbing the Normal Route (or for those pre-booking porters for the entire Vacas Valley itinerary) we recommend a 55-75 liter backpack as your expedition backpack. Expert packers using specialized gear can select a smaller volume pack than those with less experience packing or using less specialized equipment. Do not select too small a pack for your equipment! If opting for a pack smaller than 75 liters, practice packing to be sure you can efficiently use a smaller sized pack.

VACAS VALLEY Route - pack

For those climbing the Vacas Valley Route, bring a 75-105 liter climbing pack designed with climber-specific features and an internal frame. The volume you choose depends on experience level packing and gear quality. If opting for a pack smaller than 100 liters, practice packing to be sure you can efficiently use a smaller sized pack.

(OPTIONAL) Towel & Soap

A small packable towel and a small bottle of soap/shampoo can be nice to have, as showers may be purchased at times during the trip.

-20° Fahrenheit Down Sleeping Bag

This sleeping bag should be rated to -20° Fahrenheit and must be down-filled rather than synthetic filled for the sake of weight and bulk. Be sure to include a correctly sized compression stuff sack. Those who sleep cold should strongly consider a -40° Fahrenheit sleeping bag.

Lightweight Day Pack (OPTIONAL)

A small, simple pack of approximately 20-40 liters. Useful for the trekking or acclimatization portions, when the larger pack is bigger than necessary.

Foam Pad

This pad should be either 3/4 or body length. Cut pieces of closed cell foam or industrially-crafted pads are both acceptable.

Inflatable Sleeping Pad

A full-length, modern inflatable sleeping pad is recommended. Older-style three-quarter length pads have been superseded by ultralight full-length pads. We recommend bringing a valve repair/body patch kit.

Water Bottle Parkas

Bring two insulated water bottle parkas that fully cover your water bottle with closing lids. Thin “cozy” style neoprene sleeves do not provide enough insulation and are not recommended. We recommend the Forty Below Bottle Boot or the Outdoor Research Water Bottle Parka.

Water Bottles

Bring two one-liter capacity hard-sided water bottles. Wide-mouth, BPA-free plastic bottles are ideal. Nalgene brand bottles are recommended. Do not bring metal bottles, and do not bring soft-sided water bottles.

Thermos

A stainless steel vacuum-sealed thermos with an air tight lid and thermal cup lid. We strongly recommended bringing a thermos for those who prefer hot water to help with hydration on cold mountain days. One-liter sizes are preferred, and avoid narrow-mouthed thermoses which can be challenging to fill.

Hydration Reservoir (optional)

A hydration reservoir is optional while hiking to the lower camp(s) on the mountain. We recommend a 2L hydration bladder for maximum comfort and ease. 2 hard-sided water bottles are still required on this trip. This combination will allow you to stay hydrated while carrying some backup water in case of a reservoir puncture. We recommend the HydraPak Water Reservoirs, as this system is far more durable than a traditional Camelbak product. Note that guides may inform at the gear check that a hydration reservoir is not usable if below freezing temperatures are forecasted. Check out our write-up to learn more about hydration systems.

0.5L Nalgene Bottle (OPTIONAL)

One 0.5L "baby" Nalgene bottle in lieu of a traditional mug is optional. This is a guide favorite for hot drinks - the leak-proof lid allows you to stick the bottle in your pocket or inside your jacket, keeping it - and you! - warmer. Bottles should be wide mouth made of co-polyester (BPA free plastic).

Spoon

One durable hard plastic or anodized metal spoon. Longer spoon stems can be helpful for eating while wearing gloves.

Knife

Medium-sized. Keep it simple and light.

Pee Bottle

Collapsible or hard-sided 1 liter Nalgene models can work well. If opting for a collapsible model, please pick a 1.5-2 liter model as it allows for more space while using in your sleeping bag. For longer expeditions and colder mountains (Everest, Vinson, Denali, etc..) we strongly recommend a hard-sided 1 liter Nalgene as the collapsible models tend to crack in extreme temperatures. Check out our write-up to learn more about pee bottles and funnels.

Mug

One insulated outdoor-style mug with a removable lid. Your mug should retain heat well and be spill resistant. Models with 12-20 oz capacity generally work best.

Bowl

A sturdy bowl with a sealable lid to keep items hot. We recommend a 16oz Nalgene container with screw top lid. Many of our guides then duct tape a cut foam pad around the container for insulation.

Pee Funnel (for Women)

Optional. Practice is critical for the use of this item. Check out our write-up to learn more about pee funnels and bottles.

Trash Compactor/Contractor Bags

Three heavy plastic garbage bags for use as waterproof pack/stuff sack liners. Trash compactor or contractor bags are made from a heavier plastic and stand up well to prolonged mountain use. Alternatively, a reusable waterproof pack liner can be used provided it completely fills the inside of your pack.

Camera

Optional. Small point-and-shoot cameras (including compact SLR's) are ideal & work well at altitude. Alternatively, many opt to use a smartphone camera. Due to weight & care in the mountain environment, large dSLR cameras are discouraged.

Solar Panel + Power Bank (Optional)

Small portable solar panel and power bank for charging personal items like a cell phone on longer trips when access to power is not available. Solar panels with 10-20 charging watts that weigh no more than 2.5lbs are handy, lightweight, and cost-effective. We recommend bringing a small lightweight power bank like the Goal Zero Flip 36 or Venture 35 to store the solar power, and charging your devices directly from this power bank. For more information please see our blog post.

Toiletry Bag

Include toilet paper (stored in a plastic bag), hand sanitizer, toothbrush, toothpaste, floss, wet wipes, and any personal medications or prescriptions. Choose a quantity appropriate for the length of your trip. Female climbers should bring an appropriate amount of feminine hygiene products for the duration of the trip (for international trips, these can be difficult to find last minute in-country).

Water Treatment Tools

You need to be able to treat two to four liters of water for personal consumption each day. While Steri-Pen purification tools are very popular, climbers are required to bring one set of Aquamira chemical treatment drops or tablets in case your Steri-Pen fails.

Sunscreen

Two to four ounces of SPF 30+ sunscreen. Varieties with zinc-oxide are more protective! Two to four ounces per week is typically sufficient, but several small tubes can offer insurance against lost or exploded tubes. Sunscreen loses SPF rating over time; we strongly recommend brand-new sunscreen.

Lipscreen

Several tubes of SPF 30+ lipscreen. As with sunscreen, be sure your lipscreen is new.

Altimeter/Smart Watch (Optional)

Altimeter and Smart Watches are increasingly popular and a great way to track your trip in the field. Models with GPS tracking, altimeter, and activity mode options are most common in addition to having traditional watch features like an alarm clock. Smart watches can be a very helpful tool in training for your climb. For a long trip, we recommend bringing a power bank and charging cable into the field as GPS tracking requires a significant amount of a battery power. For more information on altimeters and smart watches please read our blog post.

Expedition Duffel Bag

An approximately 150-liter expedition-ready duffel bag used to transport all gear. All items need to fit securely into the duffel bag.

Small Personal First-Aid Kit

Basic medical supplies in a compact package. We recommend over-the-counter pain relievers, Moleskin, first-aid tape, Band-Aids, and anti-septic wipes or gel.

Medications & Prescriptions

Bring any personal prescriptions, plus Pepto Bismol, Cipro (500mg tablets), Metronidazole (500mg tablets), Z-Paks (500mg tablets), Diamox (125mg tablets, approx. 2 per day at altitude), Zofran (4mg tablets), Immodium, Erythromycin ointment for those who wear glasses/contacts, cold medicine (Mucinex, Tylenol cold +flu, Theraflu), and a variety of over-the-counter pain relievers like Tylenol and Ibuprofen. Some find that Excedrin (a combination of aspirin, acetaminophen and caffeine) works particularly well at relieving altitude-related headaches. We also recommend a selection of hard candies and cough drops to handle the cold, dry air.

Face Mask (Optional)

We recommend that all climbers have a face mask easily accessible in a waterproof bag (Ziploc, etc.).

Hand Sanitizer

Many alcohol-based hand cleaners will work well. Bring a small amount appropriate to the trip duration.

Hand and Toe Warmers

Bring three sets of each. Please note that toe warmers are different than hand warmers. They are formulated to work in a lower oxygen environment, like the inside of a boot, they also burn out more quickly.

Supplemental Food - Vacas Valley

For each day above base camp (other than rest days, when guides prepare hot lunches), we provide some salami, cheese, crackers, and cookies. If you have significant dietary restrictions, please get in touch to discuss your restrictions with us. Bring the following items to supplement the provided foods:

• (5+) Servings electrolyte replacement mix at your preference (Nuun, Skratch Labs)
• (3) Energy gels (Gu) or (1-2) packages Clif Shot Bloks
• (15) Servings instant coffee (if desired!)
• (20) Energy bars/protein bars/candy bars (Clif Bar, Luna Bar)
• (1.5) Kilograms trail mix (pick a favorite variety)
• A small assortment of hard candy, cough drops, etc.
• Optional:Beef, turkey, or vegan jerky (Extra protein can be nice - note that original packaging is required to avoid trouble at customs)

Supplemental Food - Normal Route

For each day above base camp (other than rest days, when guides prepare hot lunches), we provide some salami, cheese, crackers, and cookies. If you have significant dietary restrictions, please get in touch to discuss your restrictions with us. Bring the following items to supplement the provided foods:

• (5+) Servings electrolyte replacement mix at your preference (Nuun, Skratch Labs)
• (3) Energy gels (Gu) or (1-2) packages Clif Shot Bloks
• (12) Servings instant coffee (if desired!)
• (15) Energy bars/protein bars/candy bars (Clif Bar, Luna Bar)
• (1) Kilogram trail mix (pick a favorite variety)
• A small assortment of hard candy, cough drops, etc.
• Optional:Beef, turkey, or vegan jerky (Extra protein can be nice - note that original packaging is required to avoid trouble at customs)

Travel Clothes

Clean 'town' clothing is recommend for use traveling as well as pre-and-post trip. We recommend bringing a comfortable variety of clothing for peace of mind, including some t-shirts.

Small Duffel

This item can double as carry-on luggage for your flight, and is used to store any items you do not plan to take into the mountains. Think light and simple, with 40-50 liters of total capacity. Bring a travel lock for peace of mind.

Travel Power Adapter

Note that if you wish to charge electronic devices in-country you may need a power adapter. Consult a resource like this guide or call the Gear Department.