To participate in the class, you will need outdoor gear. Some gear can be rented, but most gear will need to be purchased. You may already have some or much of this gear.
We have a blog to discuss the various tradeoffs you can make on your gear. The whole blog can be found here. This blog is a work in progress. Please keep in mind that much of the gear selection is personal preference. People are different shapes and so is gear.
For the field trips, you will need the following gear. You don't need everything every time, so look at this chart to determine what you need to pack. There will be pack checks, and if you don't have the required gear, you may not be able to participate in the class.
| Backcountry Gear | |
| Backpack | 3000 - 4000 cubic inches, 35 lb capacity. You can use a larger pack if you have one |
| Large backpack | Approximately 6000 cubic inches. Can be rented |
| Hiking or climbing boots | Stiff sole, good for cold, wet weather. Low-tops and light gore-tex boots won't work. Crampon compatible |
| Liner socks and thick socks | Not cotton |
| Gaiters | Full-height |
| 2 Pairs of gloves | At least two pairs, ski or winter type, not cotton |
| Overmits | |
| 2 Cold-weather hats | At least two, not cotton |
| Sun hat | |
| Neck gaiter or balaclava | |
| Underwear | Not cotton |
| Insulation layers | Top and bottom |
| Rain gear | Top and bottom |
| First aid kit | |
| Head lamp with extra batteries | with extra bulb if incandescent |
| Compass | With adjustable declination |
| Map | (Varies for the different field trips) |
| Bandana | only permitted cotton |
| Lip balm with SPF | |
| Sunscreen | |
| Sunglasses | Dark, good coverage |
| Firestarter | |
| Water bottle | Nalgene-type if you have it, Platypus hoses will freeze in snow and cold weather |
| Duct Tape | |
| Pocket Knife | |
| Blue Bags | |
| Matches | |
| Bivy bag | (2) 55 gallon garbage bags will work |
| Sit pad | |
| Camp Gear | |
| Sleeping pad | At least 3/4 length, suitable for snow |
| Sleeping bag | Approximately 15 degree bag unless you sleep particularly warm or cold |
| Tent | Can be rented and/or shared. Should be tough enough to handle a some wind and snow. |
| Stove & cook set | Including stove pad for snow, bowl, spoon, etc. Can be shared |
| Climbing Gear | |
| Climbing harness | Must have gear loops |
| Climbing helmet | Must be CE or UIAA approved |
| Belay/Rappel device | Tube type - Black Diamond ATC, ATC-xp, or similar |
| Rescue pulley | |
| 4 locking carabiners | At least 2 should be large, type "H" |
| 4 standard oval carabiners | D-type ok. |
| 4'-0" length of 5mm soft perlon | For your autoblock prusik |
| 6'-0" length of 6mm soft perlon | For your personal prusik |
| 6mm soft perlon | For glacier prusiks, a different color than your personal prusik. Length required depends on height - see below for lengths |
| 11'-0" of 1" tubular webbing | For chest harness |
| 2 single-length (24") sewn-webbing runners (1" width) | Alternate: Two 5'-3" lengths of 1" tubular webbing |
| 1 double-length (48") sewn-webbing runner (1" width) | Alternate: 10'-6" of 1" tubular webbing |
| Personal anchor | Metolious PAS, 36" sewn sling, or 7'-6" of 1" tubular webbing. No daisy chains. |
| Ice axe leash | Alternate: 7'-0" length of 5/8" tubular webbing |
| Ice axe | No longer than bottom of the shaft touching your ankle when hanging in your hand, no shorter than mid-calf. |
| Crampons | Only needed for the last two trips. Can be rented. |
| Snow picket | 24" length (36" is okay if you already have one) |
| 5 wands | Can be made from garden supplies. You will be shown in class |
| Useful, but not required | |
| Backpacking snow shovel | Can be shared and/or rented |
| Treking poles | |
| Yak tracks | |
| For Glacier Prusiks: | |
| Climber's height | 6mm Perlon length required |
| 5 '-0" | 16'-0" (11'-0" for feet, 5'-0" for chest) |
| 5'-6" | 17'-0" (11'-6" for feet, 5'-6" for chest) |
| 6'-0" | 18'-0" (12'-0" for feet, 6'-0" for chest) |
| 6'-6" | 19'-6" (13'-0" for feet, 6'-6" for chest) |
Here is the gear schedule for the field trips.
Here is the gear schedule for the class sessions.