Gear list for ice climbing trips

  • Having the proper equipment is essential for a safe and enjoyable trip!

  • All gear and clothing needs to be in good condition and if new you must ensure that it fits well and you are familiar with its use.

  • Any soft safety gear (harnesses, slings, prussiks) needs to be in good condition and free from damage or excessive wear. It is recommended to replace soft safety gear that is more than 10 years old. You may borrow some equipment from me.

  • Any hard safety gear (helmets, ice axes, crampons, carabiners) must be inspected for cracks and wear; replace it if it is worn. I recommend replacing hard gear that is more than 10 years old, or you may borrow this equipment from me.

  • If you have any questions please do not hesitate to contact me; I may have some of the items you require available for you to borrow.

Climbing gear


Boots

  • A full shank mountaineering boot such as Scarpa Mont Blanc or Sportiva Nepal is required.

  • I do not have boots to borrow or rent. Options for boot rental are: Gear Up (Canmore), University of Calgary Outdoor Centre (Calgary).

Crampons

  • 12-point crampons are required.

  • These need to fit your boot well – when fitted properly they will stick to your boot without the straps or bindings.

  • I require all clients to have anti-balling plates on their crampons. No exceptions.

  • I can provide crampons if required.

Ice TOOLs

Helmet

  • Bring a helmet designed for climbing.

  • Your helmet needs to be free of damage.

  • I can supply a helmet if required.

Harness

  • A sit harness with a belay loop is required

  • Your harness needs to be free of damage and excessive wear and preferably less than 10 years old

  • I can supply a harness if required.

AVALANCHE RESCUE KIT

  • Some ice cragging areas may not require this equipment, but most multi-pitch climbs will. Please ask if you are uncertain whether you need to bring this.

  • If we bring avalanche rescue gear, this is what is required:

    • Shovel

    • Probe

    • Avalanche transceiver

  • I can provide this equipment if required.

Belay/rappel device & locking carabiner

  • I recommend the Mammut Alpine Smart but any tube-type device is fine.

  • I can supply a belay/rappel device if required.

Other Equipment

Backpack

  • 30-40 L pack

Sunglasses, sunscreen, lip protection

  • At the very minimum a 30 SPF sunscreen and lip protection is required. Full sunblock for your lips is recommended.

  • Sunglasses with wrap-around coverage and dark lenses are required.

Small first aid and repair kit

  • I’ll have a major first aid and repair kit but you should bring some band-aids, blister protection (include blister pads and duct tape), headache pills, head cold/antihistamine medication, cough drops, rash cream, pocket knife.

Water bottle and/or thermos

  • I usually carry about 1.5 - 2 L of liquids

Extendable walking pole(s)

  • These should be able to collapse small enough to fit into your pack.

Headlamp

  • Bring extra batteries.

Personal toilet kit

  • Include toilet paper, and a baggie for used paper

Camera/phone

Clothing systems


Socks, underwear and t-shirts

  • Bring one or two of each. Synthetic only, no cotton.

Long underwear top and bottoms

  • I like a zip-t neck for my long sleeved top. I use lightweight long-johns and a medium weight top. Synthetic only, no cotton.

Warm Climbing pants

  • A soft shell fabric is highly recommended.

Softshell jacket

  • A warm layer with a hood. I avoid heavy fleece garments, as they are not wind-resistant and too warm for many activities.

wind shell

  • A lighter wind shell is helpful in warm conditions, for walking uphill, or to layer atop your softshell in cold conditions.

Insulated jacket

  • I prefer a synthetic jacket but down is fine as well.

Gore-tex jacket

  • A hooded waterproof jacket. I prefer the lightweight Gore-tex such as Paclite or Proshell.

Hats

  • A warm toque that fits under a helmet.

  • A balaclava for stormy weather and a lightweight toque for use while walking uphill are recommended

Gloves

  • Warm gloves specific for ice-climbing. Multiple pairs can be useful as gloves get wet ice-climbing!

  • A lightweight pair of gloves should also be brought for warm conditions

Gaiters

  • Close-fitting gaiters are required so your crampons don’t snag them as easily. The shorter type gaiters seem to work well even in deeper snow conditions.

guide gear

The guide will provide the following

  • Emergency communications device/s (phone, radio, satellite device)

  • GPS, map and compass

  • First aid and repair kit

  • Emergency shelter and evacuation kit

  • Group climbing gear (rope etc)

FOLLOW: