Mountaineering Equipment

Mountaineering places big demands on your equipment; having the correct equipment for the day is essential for your own comfort and for reasons of safety. The following printer friendly downloadable lists cover the essential items for each type of mountaineering.

Mountaineering Kit Lists

Alpine Mountaineering
Alpine North Faces
Alpine Rock
Winter Icefalls
Ski Touring
Off Piste Skiing

Alpine Huts - require very little extra equipment. Duvets or blankets are provided and cutlery and plates for dinner and breakfast. Often there is no running water so carrying a large wash kit is a waste of energy. All you need is a toothbrush and toothpaste, wet wipes, earplugs and possibly a light shirt. You might consider taking a very light weight silk sleeping bag liner as a luxury item!

Boots - need to give good ankle support and have quite a stiff sole. Three season boots are OK (e.g. Scarpa Manta) but stiffer soles are better for more technical use and for wearing crampons. For ice climbing a very stiff sole is needed, found on four season boots (e.g. Scarpa Freney XT or Salomon Nepal Extrem). Plastic boots are good (e.g. Scarpa Manta) and are warmer than leather or synthetic boots but are more difficult to walk in and can cause blisters. Two pairs of socks should be worn (one thin, one thick) to minimise rubbing and the chance of blisters.

Shell Jacket and Trousers - should be breathable and fairly light weight. The hood must fit over a helmet and chest pockets make your chocolate bar accessible when wearing a harness. Trousers must have side zips to enable them to be put on over big boots.

Rucksack - 40/45 litres is ideal. Gear loops and ice axe loops are helpful and a waterproof (plastic) liner is essential.

Clothing - base layers should not be cotton; polyester or nylon are OK, a wicking base layer (e.g. coolmax or dryflo) is ideal. Fleece or wool trousers and tops keep you warm even if they are damp.

Hats and Gloves - bring lots of wool or fleece hats or balaclavas and waterproof gloves. Leather gloves are the most durable on rough granite so check out your local hardwear shop.

Other items - gaiters, head-torch, ski-goggles and sun glasses, sun cream, a blister kit, flask, whistle, energy, enthusiasm etc.

Ice Axe - for most Alpine summer and ski touring courses a walking/mountaineering axe is required (e.g. Grivel Evolution), about 60cm long. A pair of climbing axes is only required on the Alpine North Faces and Winter Ice Falls courses.

Crampons - must be suitable for your boots. Semi-rigid, 12 point crampons are ideal with a stiff boot. Step-in crampons are far easier to fit than strap-ons but need specific boots - ask for advice at your local outdoor shop.

Helmet - required for all Alpine mountaineering courses but not usually for skiing courses.

Harness - with adjustable leg loops to fit over big boots for all courses.

Belay plate and big screwgate carabiner - for climbing courses.

Rock shoes - are a good idea for climbing courses.

All ropes and technical items of equipment are supplied by Abacus Mountaineering.

If you have any queries, however simple, please contact us. We'd rather spend the time making sure you are prepared for your course than for you to arrive with the wrong kit.