Packing Lists

    1. Food — Enough for a snack every couple of hours, plus meals. And 25-50% extra in case of an emergency.

    2. Fire — A method to make an emergency fire if necessary. We like lighters, plus dry tinder.

    3. Water — We find two liters is typically enough, plus a way to purify more if needed, such as a filter or melting snow.

    4. Shelter — A way to protect yourself from inclement weather. If going overnight, this means a tent or hammock shelter. For day hikes, it could be an emergency sit tent, tarp, or weatherproof bivy sack.

    5. Navigation — Primary (digital maps) and backup (paper map and compass).

    6. Insulation — This means appropriate clothing (non-cotton baselayer, midlayer, outer shell) for the expected weather, plus extra in case of an emergency. We recommend always have at least an extra light puffy jacket in your bag.

    7. Illumination — A headlamp (or two) plus extra batteries are a must, even when you don’t expect to be out in the dark.

    8. Sun Protection — Sunscreen and/or clothing with an SPF value that will cover your skin, plus a hat and sunglasses, even (especially) in the winter.

    9. Repair Kit — A small kit with items that can repair your gear in a pinch, such as duct or repair tape, Voile straps, paracord, replacement stove parts, etc.

    10. First-Aid — A kit sized appropriately for the length of adventure and group size. Focus on items to address most likely injuries (joint injuries and scrapes when hiking, trauma injuries when climbing) and then supplement with the nice-to-haves.

  • To wear (no cotton):

    Other gear:

    Your guide will bring:

    • Navigation gear (digital and paper maps)

    • Water filter

    • Repair kit

    • Bathroom kit

    • Emergency shelter, stove, and satellite communicator

  • To wear:

    • Clothing tops

      • Thin wicking baselayer for active hiking

      • Light thermal layer for active hiking (like a thin fleece or similar)

      • Midweight insulation layer for stops or if you’re chilly (like thicker fleece or light puffy jacket)

      • Heavy insulation layer for exposed summits or cold conditions (like a winter puffy coat)

      • Headband or hat to cover ears

      • Balaclava for protecting nose/cheeks (optional)

      • Thin gloves for active hiking

      • Thick mittens for stops (we can provide them)

    • Clothing bottoms

      • Thin baselayer or tights (optional)

      • Thicker hiking pants

      • 2 pairs of wool socks

    Other gear:

    • Supportive hiking boots

    • Microspikes if icy

    • Trekking Poles (we can provide them)

    • Enough snacks that you can eat a granola bar-sized snack every 1.5 hours or so (energy bars, trail mix, dried fruit, and other high protein/calory foods are lightweight and great)

    • Substantial lunch (like a sandwich or similar)

    • 2 liters of water

    • Headlamp with batteries

    • Hand and toe warmers

    Your guide will bring:

    • Navigation gear (digital and paper maps)

    • Repair kit

    • Bathroom kit

    • Rope

    • Emergency shelter, fire starter, stove, and satellite communicator

  • Equipment:

    To wear:

  • To wear:

    • Non-cotton baselayer top and bottom (something that wicks sweat to keep your skin dry and warm)

    • Non-cotton insulating midlayer top (like a fleece jacket or pullover)

    • Weatherproof shell jacket (like a rain coat that will keep out wind/water while you climb)

    • Heavy insulating winter coat (to wear when you’re on the ground waiting to climb)

    • Snow pants or similar bottoms (ideally not too bulky as it’s common for beginners to catch their crampons on pant legs and rip holes in them)

    • At least one pair of warm gloves (to wear while climbing) and a pair of warm mittens (to wear while you wait on the ground)

    • Wool or similar non-cotton tall hiking socks

    • Beanie hat to wear under a helmet

    • Sunglasses or similar eye protection

    • Neck gaiter that can be pulled up over chin and nose

    Other stuff to bring:

    • Snacks and lunch (a thermos of warm soup is a delight)

    • A liter or two of water (in a thermos will keep it from freezing)

    • Phone and/or camera

    • Backpack to carry your kit and climbing equipment

    • Hand/toe warmers if you tend to run cold

    We’ll provide the climbing boots, crampons, ice tools, helmet, harness, and climbing gear. As well as snowshoes or microspikes if they’re necessary to reach the climbing area.

Have a question about these lists?

It’s okay if you don’t know the difference between a baselayer and a thermal layer. Or if you want advice about which microspikes work best. (We like these!) Just reach out with your question and we’ll get right back to you!