Multi-Day Mountain Climb!
Trip Description:
Multi-day mountain climbs are some of the best experiences you can have. So many more places are accessible when you give yourself more time. You can take in the beautiful scenery and have plenty of time for snack breaks. They also give you amazing time to share stories and talk while you make dinner. These climbs allow you to see so much more in one trip, and can truly immerse you in nature, and are absolutely life changing.
Conditions:
It’s in the name, but multi-day climbs have you sleep overnight. This calls for very warm sleeping bags, pads, and a good tent. You will also most likely be leaving your campsite early in the mornings, which are very, very cold. These climbs can all differ in general temperature, but it is a necessity to bring layers. Being out for longer allows for more variables, such as cloud cover or blistering sun surprising you out of nowhere. However, you can prepare for this!
Gear:
General Gear:
Large Backpack (55-80 L)
Small sunscreen and spf lip balm
Sunscreen is super important. Make sure to re-apply a lot, and get under your nose, the tips of your ears, and under your chin. SPF 50+ is good for mountain climbing, especially because of the harsh light from the snow.
Spf lip balm is awesome to have. Lip balm is amazing in general and getting sunburned on your lips is really uncomfortable, so definitely get some of this.
Pocket knife
Pocket knives have so many uses. It’s always good to have one on a trip.
This is a cheap, small pocket knife. If you want to opt for a multi-tool or a swiss-army type knife, they have a much wider range of uses, and can pack a lot of different helpful things into a small space. Whichever you choose will be an amazing tool to assist you on your journey.
Glacier sunglasses with side shades
These are incredibly important. Snow blindness is basically a sunburn you get on your eye. This sucks, and is also really damaging to your eyes, which can give you terrible headaches and cause you to lose vision temporarily. The reason it’s called “snow blindness” is because snow is really good at getting sun right into your eyes, and is really really reflective.
These sunglasses can’t be just normal everyday glasses, and one key part is having side protection. Because snow is so reflective, it gets in the sides of normal sunglasses. Some people make duct tape covers for the side of glasses, which is wayyy better than nothing.
These are good glacier glasses. They protect all sides of your face, and offer 100% UV protection. These are also good glasses, and offer a slightly different fit. However, for any glasses you are looking to buy, you should go into a store and try them on before buying them. Every face is different, and don’t rely on which look cooler, because you want them to fit your face well.
Headlamp with fresh batteries and extra set of batteries
Headlamps are incredibly important. You need them to see in mornings and nights, and they’re far superior to flashlights.
In a headlamp, you should look for a few things. Top priority is the amount of lumens the headlamp is, which is a measure of how bright it is. 325-350 lumens is a good area to shoot for. This will ensure you’ll be able to see everything you need to. Another key thing is to see how long a headlamp can run for. You’ll probably be using it for at least 6 hours in a day, especially if you use it in the mornings. You’ll want to make sure it runs for long enough, and make sure to bring extra batteries. The final thing to look for is a red light mode. Red light is much dimmer, but won’t blind people if you look at them with it on. It’s nice for camp, and when you’re around a lot of others, but it’s not a necessity.
LINK
Three liters water capacity, full: At least one hard-sided water bottle, or save the weight and bring iodine tablets and empty water bottles.
Water bottles are KEY!!! Especially on a long day, having a lot of water is sooo important. Being dehydrated on a climbing trip leads to a multitude of issues, including but not limited to: cramping, headaches, and tiredness. Hard sided water bottles are water bottles with a filter built in, but if you don’t have one or would rather filter, both iodine tablets and hand powered water filters are great.
Nalgenes are awesome, but hydro flasks work just as well. If you already have 1 liter bottles, just bring those. If not, look for something like this (48oz, 1.5L), this (32oz, 1L), or this (32oz, 1L). Again, both plastic and metal bottles are great, but both have advantages. Metal bottles keep water colder/warmer, but are heavier than plastic bottles. It’s completely personal choice, as well as the size, but never get a bottle smaller than a liter for water, especially for a trip like this.
Fully charged cell phone for photos only
Book to read for the car (optional)
Dry clothes for car ride home
Bug spray
Clothing:
Long underwear
Long underwear is a tight, light, breathable layer. It provides a initial layer of warmth and is not heavy.This is an essential layer.
Long underwear top: There are a few different materials that are used to make these. Wool and synthetic materials (polyester usually) are the main materials used. This and this are examples of good base layers. You don’t by any means have to buy one exactly like these, but they are good as they are made out of common materials. You can also read this guide if you’re looking to make a bigger purchase.
Long underwear bottom: There are a few different materials that are used to make these. Silk, wool and synthetic materials (polyester usually) are the main materials used. Typically, wool and synthetics are used, but silk has its place.This, this, and this are examples of good long underwear. You don’t by any means have to buy one exactly like these, but they are good as they are made out of common materials. You can also read this guide if you’re looking to make a bigger purchase.
Light wool or fleece shirt
Insulating Layer: down or fleece jacket
Rain jacket
Rain jacket
This is an important piece of gear for any trip you go on, as it is always good to be prepared for rain! The purpose of this rain jacket is to keep you dry, and serve as a windbreaker when necessary. You will use a rain jacket very very often throughout all of your trips.
This is a good example of a rain jacket that you want. It is waterproof and windproof, which is very important while climbing a mountain. You want to make sure your rain jacket is both of those before climbing a mountain, and This is an article on how to choose a good rain jacket if you feel like getting something more expensive and want to do your own research: https://www.rei.com/learn/expert-advice/rainwear.html
Rain pants
Rain pants are your lower waterproof layer. They don’t have insulation, and aren’t meant to be very warm, just to act as a windbreaker and waterproofing.
These are great rain pants. They are waterproof, windproof, and have ankle zips. These are all very important factors, but the ankle zips are important in a different way. They allow you to put on/off boots to change socks, put on your pants easier, and are generally much more convenient than a full pant. On a different note, some more rugged and intense mountaineering rain pants have really cool features. This is an example of really intense mountaineering rain pants, which would be used for extreme mountaineering. You do NOT need to get something like that for your first climb, but it has really cool things. These specific ones are incredibly durable, use 3 layer ultralight fabric, and have suspenders. They also apparently have some kevlar in them, which sounds super cool.
Hiking pants: synthetic, may be zip-off
Fleece pants (optional)
Thin synthetic glove liners
Waterproof glove shells
Wool or fleece hat
Cap with brim
2 pairs of wool socks
Gaiters
Bandana (optional)
Buff or balaclava (optional)
Camping Gear:
3 Season Tent: Communicate with Cole about sharing tents
Sleeping Bag: rated for 15 degrees or lower
Sleeping Pad: foam or inflatable
Bowl, cup, eating utensils
Technical Gear:
Mountaineering Boots
Mountaineering boots are critical parts of climbing, as they allow you to put crampons on, keep your feet warm, and provide ankle support.
You’ll want lightweight climbing boots like these, not plastic ones. These can be rented if you want, but they are very essential for any climb.
Crampons
Crampons are basically spikes that you attach to your shoes. They are mainly used for travel on ice, or very steep slopes.
They can be rented, but if you’re planning on doing a lot of climbing, these are a great investment. This is a good example of a basic crampon that is up to the task of climbing a mountain.
Ice Axe
The Post has some to borrow, if you don’t own one already! Don’t feel the need to spend a bunch of money.
You don’t need a super expensive lightweight ice axe, just a basic one like this. Most of them are around the same price of that type, this one is a good, basic ice axe.
Harness
The Post has some to borrow, if you don’t own one already! However, if you are going to purchase some technical gear, this is the item.
You don’t need the most expensive harness, although they can be substantially lighter. A good beginner harness has double-backed adjusters, gear loops, and hardpoints, all of which are common in our modern harnesses.
Helmet
The Post has some to borrow, if you don’t own one already!
Helmets are crucial, and always required for Post climbing trips (mountain and rock!). Typically for mountain climbing, you’ll want a shelled foam helmet if you’re looking to buy one for yourself, but the post has great helmets as well.
This is an example of a great helmet if you are looking to buy one, and this is an article detailing more about what to choose.
Locking Carabiner
Non-locking carabiner
This is a good non-locking carabiner rated for climbing.
Prusiks
A prusik cord is a small length of rope which is widely used in many parts of mountaineering and climbing in general. It basically attaches a loop to a rope, and (if you haven’t already) you’ll learn how to use it on field day.
You can get a prusik in an already looped form, or you can buy a length of rope and tie a double fishermans in order to form a prusik. You can buy rope at Next Adventure or other outdoor/climbing shops.
Trekking poles (optional)
Group Gear :
A stove
Small tarp or space blanket
Water filtration or treatment
Ropes