Base Layer                                          

Thin Insulating Layer       

Thick Insulating Layer     

Down Jacket w/ a Hood   

Waterproof Jacket

This list does not include “off mountain” clothes.  Please dress simply while in these small towns (ie- blue jeans, a Nike T-shirt, and a NY Yankees hat will make you blend into any Peruvian crowd).  If you look like you are on a safari, complete with head to toe khaki clothes and a sombrero, you will attract pick pockets.  Think about walking around any big city, you do not want to look like a tourist more than you already do.

Mountaineering Boots

Gaiters                              

Shoes                               

Gloves (3 pair)                 

Hats (3 items)                  

Ski Goggles                      

Sunglasses                      

Sleeping Bag w/               

Compression Sack          

Sleeping Pads (2)

Crampons(*) 

Ice Ax(*)           

Harness  

Backpack       

Trekking Poles (*)   

Helmet(*)       

Locking Carabiner       

2 Non-Locking Carabiners  

Headlamp                         

Or you could go fast & light like these guys did...be sure to bring extra sunscreen.

Socks                                               

Pants                                 

Shorts                               

Base Layer   

Waterproof Pants            

Insulated Pants               

Items with an asterisk(*) can be rented from SaLT Mountaineering.

- Large Duffel Bags

- Sunscreen

- Lip Balm

- Camera

- Batteries

- Journal/Pens/Zip-lock Bag

- Passport

- Watch w/ Alarm Clock

- 2 Quart sized Water Bottles

- 3 Large garbage bags

- Insulated Mug

- Small Knife

- Spoon

- Drink Mixes

- Cash: Small Bills (nothing larger than $10’s)

- Lighter

Smartwool Mountaineering Socks

Smartwool hiking Socks

Patagonia Guide Pant      

Mt HW Alpinist Pant

Mont Bell Strider Pant

Thick synthetic socks are best, you do not need liner socks.  Liners were used when socks were made from wool to cut down on the itching.

Guess Jeans (cut off)

For hot days hiking.  No need to spend money on this item, a 15 year old pair of cut off jeans will fit the bill....just dont cut them too short.

Bottom Half:                              Description                                                                                                                                    Recommended Item

Long sleeve, light weight, and light colored is ideal.

Patagonia Capilene 2 Crew

Full side zips are critical (3/4 zips are great too).  The lighter weight the better, do not bring use bib-style pants or insulated “snow pants”..too heavy    

Patagonia Stretch Element Pant

Mont Bell Light Alpine Pant

Marmot PriClip Pant

Please invest in “climbing pants” these are made with Schollar material and are great for many different activities.  They will last many seasons of abuse.      

Mt HW Compressor Pants

Patagonia Micro Puff Pants

For those who are colder natured.  They are great for sitting around camp or pushing for the summit       

Top Half:                                 Description                                                                                                                                    Recommended Item

Marmot DriClime

Patagonia Capline

Aka Long-Johns. Go with a light weight option “silkweight” or mid-weight will work well with coupled with climbing pants.

100 or 200 weight fleece jacket w/ windstopper material or windproof shirt.  Think about what you would wear to go running in the winter time.     

Mt. Hardwear Micro Chill T

Marmot DriClime Jacket

“Soft Shell” Jacket made out of Scholler Material.  It needs to easily be able to fit over your thin layer.  This layer is not waterproof, you want “very breathable”

Patagonia Winter Guide Jacket Mt Hardwear Alchemy Jacket

You need a thin fleece or leather pair for warmer days on the glacier, a middle “ski glove” layer if the temperatures drop, and a big mitten/glove if the weather really turns sour.

Big and puffy, this is critical, a must have. It should make you look like the Michelin Man.  For use at our rest breaks and doubles as a great pillow.

Patagonia Das Parka

MHW Sub Zero SL Parka

Marmot Cirque Down

Double plastic boots are warmest.  There are also heavily insulated leather boots that will work if you treat them with a waterproofing product.  Fit is the most important part.  Do not think that you will break them in, you won’t.  If you have wider feet you should get LaSportiva or Koflach brand and narrow footed folks should try Scarpa. 

Thin: BD Powerstretch

Ski Glove: BD System Shell GTX

Thick: OR Alti Mitten

Mt Hardwear Argon

Patagonia Stretch Latitude

Marmot Minimalist Jacket

Not a ski jacket, non insulated, light weight. This will hopefully be used more to block the wind than shed the raindrops, but we must be prepared.

These keep out the snow and dirt from your boots.  A low profile, opposed to an expedition style will work, just be sure it fits over your boots.

Black Diamond GTX

OR Crocodiles

Black Diamond Sportee

Running shoes are great for hanging around camp and for hiking to basecamp.

Baseball hat (for the sun), Warm stocking hat that must totally cover the ears, and finally a balaclava aka a ninja mask that covers the cheeks and neck.

Balaclava: OR Windpro

If it gets windy you will need these to be able to see.  A double layered lens will eliminate lens fog.

Wrap around dark glasses are necessary to keep the bright glare from the glacier at bay.

Julbo Nomad                                           Julbo Reflex

Mummy style down or synthetic filled, and rated to zero degrees F.

Marmot Never Summer                                          Mt HW Lamina 0 Degree F

Your bottom layer will be a closed cell foam 3/4 length, and the top layer will be an inflatable one inch thick pad.  Your night’s rest will be sound.

RidgeRest 3/4 Length

ThermaRest Full Length

Grivel G10 or G12

Black Diamond Contact Strap

Petzl Sarken

Alpine style crampon with 10-14 points.  Do not bring rigid framed ice climbing crampons because they are not designed for glacier travel.

Straight shaft, 70 cm in length, w/out a leash and w/out gripping material on the shaft.

Climbers Height = Length of Ice Ax Shaft     5’2”=60cm      5’6”=65cm     5’10”=70cm     6’2”=75cm                         

Black Diamond Raven

Grivel Nepal S. America

Alpine style harness with a couple gear loops are best.  Women, make sure you get a harness with detachable elastic keeper straps on the leg loops (for when nature calls)

Black Diamond Alpine Bod

Mammut Alpine Harness            

Good Brands include:

Osprey, Black Diamond

Arc’Teryx or Gregory

Internal frame, 3000-4000 cubic inches (40-50 Liters).  One with a beefy hip-belt and adjustable shoulder suspension.  Generally called “summit” packs.

These are great for hiking up and especially downhill.  Collapsable poles will travel better, look for 3 part telescoping poles (they will travel in your bag nicely).

Black Diamond Expedition Poles

Light is right.  It also must be headlamp compatible and meet mountaineering UIAA safety standards.  No bike or kayaking helmets please.

Petzl Elios (for smaller heads)

BD Half Dome

One personal locking carabiner.  Pear shaped, D shape, or oval shape are great.

Black Diamond Positron Screwgate

These will be used for varies roles while climbing.

Black Diamond Hotwire

LED is best because it is lighter and the batteries will last much longer.  It must be a powerful enough to see at least forty feet in front of you.

Black Diamond Spot Headlamp

Petzl Tikka XP

Petzl Myo XP

- Personal First Aid Kit:

aspirin, antacids, moleskin, band-aids, Ciprofloxacin, Imodium, light weight toilet articles and personal medications, water purification solution (ie- Aqua Mira)

The following list should be followed very closely in order to provide you with the most enjoyable experience while in the mountains.  Purchasing gear and equipment can be a time consuming activity that can cause stress trying to figure out which of the one million different jackets out there is best for you.  I have tried to simplify this process by recommending what I think is best, but just like purchasing an automobile you can buy a Chevy Nova that will get you there (maybe) or splurge on a Rolls-Royce...both can be considered driving, but in the latter you are going to enjoy the ride.  Recommended items are products that continue to serve their purpose after countless days of abuse in the field.