Mountain Climbing Equipment

Mountaineering is inherently dangerous and the risk of serious injury or death is very real. Objective hazards like weather, visibility, altitude, rockfall, avalanches, crevasses and lightning can cause injury or death. Subjective hazards, such as skill, decision-making and equipment selection all play vital roles in mitigating risk. Proper equipment choices are one key to success and safety, and vary depending on climate, route selection, season and other factors.

  1. Clothing

    • Proper clothing is essential. Polyester and silk base layers that move moisture away from the body keep climbers warm and dry. Insulating layers should be made from wool or fleece. Severe cold may require several insulating layers. Down clothing has excellent insulating properties, but must stay dry to remain effective. A weather-resistant outer shell will protect from wind, rain and snow.

      Footwear depends on the terrain expected on a climb. Gentle, rolling, forested terrain calls for lightweight leather boots. Rockier terrain or off-trail travel will require stiffer, heavier-lugged boots, often made of leather, but sometimes of plastic. Glacier and ice travel requires hard plastic boots with removable liners, and vertical rock needs specialized sticky rubber soles.

    Food and Shelter

    • A high-quality sleeping bag is absolutely crucial and, whether made from down or synthetic material, should be lightweight and highly portable. Tent choice will depend on the duration and the likely conditions of a climb. Bivy sacks are good for fast, light travel.

      Climbers may burn several thousand calories per day and require a substantial amount of water to stay hydrated at higher elevations. Above 4,000 meters, water boils at a lower temperature than at sea level, meaning some foods take more time and fuel to cook. For this reason, pasta and couscous are a better choice than lentils, beans or rice. Food should be easy to carry, minimize waste and trash, and leftovers should be stored and reheated easily. Freeze-dried meals are a good choice.

      Stoves, cookware, fuel, sleeping pads, water filtration systems, sanitary and hygiene products all are essential for overnight trips.

    Technical Gear

    • The length, type and difficulty of a climb will dictate the climbing rack required, but the core of a climbing system is always the same. Every climber must have a harness, belay device, locking carabiner, ascenders or prusik, and a few slings and quickdraws. A climbing team will also need at least one rope, pitons, stoppers, chocks, cams, nuts or other rock protection, and multiple slings, quickdraws and carabiners. Helmets are recommended on many routes.

      Ice axes, ice screws, pitons, pickets, crampons, shovels, wands, avalanche probes, beacons, other specialized gear as well as more food, warmer clothing and warmer sleeping bags are required for winter mountaineering.

    Knowledge

    • Storms often create the most life-threatening situations a climber will face. In addition to weather, altitude sickness can strike even veteran climbers without notice. Small accidents and injuries can quickly escalate to critical levels if not dealt with appropriately. A wilderness first responder and mountain first-aid course are highly advised. Climbers should pick partners whose ability and decision-making they trust, and also with whom they get along, since often they will be roped together.

    Safety

    • Education, training and experience will help minimize subjective hazards, but accidents do happen, and mountaineers must be prepared. In addition to a basic first-aid kit, mountaineers should carry a GPS receiver, map, compass, fire starter, headlamp, knife, watch, altimeter and emergency blanket.