Propper Planning

Mountain climbing is highly technical, and the naive learn deadly lessons. Proper preparation is essential—seek out classes, guides, books, videos, and practice.

Have Common Sense

Know your limits and recognize when it's time to stop or turn back. Prioritize safety—there will always be more opportunities to climb in the future.

Size
• Backpack capacity is measured in liters (the backpack volume)
• 40–60 liters: Suitable for 1-day trips
• 60–80 liters: Ideal for 2–5-day trips
• 80-100 liters: Best for trips over 5 days
• 100+ liters: Built for winter/long expeditions

Packing an Extra Daypack
• Enables you to leave extra gear at a lower camp
• Essential for technical climbs when summiting
• A lightweight alternative is a drawstring bag

Why No CamelBacks (bladders)
• Complicated to use, prone to leaks, difficult to clean and refill, and you cannot see water usage
• Tubes will freeze and crack in extreme cold
• Most experienced mountaineers don't use bladders

Pro

$200

Osprey Mutant 38

38 Liters
2.5 lbs | 1.1 kg

budget

$46

Inoxto Daypack 35

35 Liters
2.2 lbs | 1.0 kg

pro

$330

Gregory Denali 100

100 Liters
6.9 lbs | 3.1 kg

standard

$250

Black Diamond Mission 75

75 Liters
3.9 lbs | 1.8 kg

‍Down vs Synthetic Sleeping Bags
• Down: Lightweight, compact, warm, and expensive option. The higher fill the warmer.
• Synthetic: Cheaper, less compact, and heavier
• High altitude mountains require down sleeping bags

Inflatable vs Foam Pads
• Inflatable: Compact and comfortable
• Foam: Durable, easy to set up/take down, and cheaper
• Double pad (insulated + pad) needed for high altitude climbs

Extreme Cold Sleeping Options
‍1. Buy a high-rated bag (very warm but expensive)
2. Nesting (using two sleeping bags)
3. Pack an extra blanket (or sleeping bag liner)
4. Wear warm clothing (base layers or some the down clothing you packed)

Sleeping Bag Storage
• Store your sleeping bag loosely packed

pro

$540

Trango 2 Tent

2-Person
9.6 lbs | 4.3 kg

budget

$90

Naturecloud Tent

1-Pesron
3.5 lbs | 1.6 kg

pro

$550-700

Nemo Sonic™ Ultralight Mummy Down Sleeping Bag

-20-0°F Rated
800-Fill Down
3.26-4.39 lb | 1.48-1.99 kg

Budget

$150-180

Kelty Cosmic 20 Sleeping Bag

20°F Rated
550-Fill Down
2.16-2.69 lb | 0.99-1.22 kg

pro

$210

Therm-a-Rest NeoAir Pad

Inflatable
0.8 lbs | 0.4 kg

budget

$17

Ultralight Sleeping Pad

Foam
0.8 lbs | 0.4 kg

Socks
• Avoid cotton, as it absorbs moisture and sweat
• Merino wool is preferred for its warmth and moisture wicking qualities

Double Sock Setup
• Wear a thin base layer socks beneath a thicker wool sock
• This setup reduces friction and moisture, and prevents blisters
• Many experienced adventurers swear by it this setup but it is personal preference

Mountaineering Boots + Approach Shoes Setup
• Ideal for climbs with long approach hiking and slopes that require crampons

Mountaineering Boots ONLY Setup
• Ideal for climbs with minimal approach hiking and slopes that require crampons

Hiking Boots ONLY Setup
• Ideal for low-altitude climbs where crampons are not required

Gloves vs Mittens
• Dexterity: Gloves have better hand dexterity (using ice axe and climbing gear)
• Warmth: Mittens keep your four fingers together making it much warmer
• Use gloves for most conditions, reserving mittens for the coldest sections of the climb

Three-Glove System
• Your glove setup depends on the mountain, time of year, and route.
• Recommended Setup: a liner, a work glove, and an insulated glove or mitten.

Glove Liners
• Buy merino wool or synthetic fabrics
• Warmth: Merino wool is the warmest option but tends to be more expensive.
• Fit: Make sure the liner is thin and fitted

Three-Layer Setup
• Most climbs require a simple three-layer system
• Tailor your layers based on the mountain, route, season, weather, and personal preferences

Sweat Control
• Breathable Clothing = Little wind and rain  protection
• Breathable layers preferred for active climbing

Layering Options
• Base Layer: Fitted and comfortable (synthetic or wool material)
• Light Mid-Layer: Light- insulated jackets or fleece layer
• Heavy Mid-Layer: Insulated hoodies (often fleece lined)
• Soft-shell Layer: Breathable outer-shell that offers warmth and wind protection
• Parka and Insulated Pants: Insulated outer-layer for the extreme cold
• Hardshell Layer: Protection against wet and windy conditions (not breathable)

$30

Buff Merino Neckwear

Merino Wool
1.9 oz | 0.1 kg

$150

Ferrata Storm Forest Glacier Glasses

1.3 oz | 36.9 g

Core Mountaineering Gear
1. Helmet
2. Two ice picks (with leashes)
3. Compatible crampons (TEST THEM)

Personalization
• Your setup will vary based on the climb, route, season, weather, and personal risk tolerance
• Customize your gear selection according to your climbing location

Learning to Climb
• Learn climbing basics at a local indoor gym (sport climbing)
• Progress to practice traditional lead climbing outdoors (trad climbing)
• Learn alpine-specific climbing techniques (ice climbing, glacier crossing, craves rescue)

$160

Petzl Summit Eco Ice Axe

14.8 oz | 420 g

$20

Petzl Linkin Ice Axe Leash

0.9 oz | 25 g

$200

Grivel G12 New-Matic EVO Crampons

Hybrid Bindings
2.1 lbs | 1.0 kg

$60

Black Diamond Half Dome Helmet

Foam Style
ABS Shell
EN 12492 Rating
12.3 oz | 348 g

$50

C.A.M.P. Energy CR3 Harness

4 Loops
Adjustable Leg Loops
13.23 oz | 375 g

$250

Mammut Alpine Dry Rope

9.5 mm Diameter
60 m Length
7.80 lb | 3.54 kg

$13

Black Diamond HotForge Screwgate Carabiner

1.8 oz | 50 g

$10

Black Diamond HotWire Carabiner

1.4 oz | 40 g

$105

Petzl Ascension Ascender

5.8 oz | 165 g

$25

Black Diamond ATC-XP Belay Device

2.3 oz | 64 g

$20

SMC CRx Crevasse Rescue Pulley

1.8 oz | 52 g

$24

Sterling Accessory Cord - 8 mm

14.1 oz | 399 g

$130

Black Diamond Wired Stopper Set

15.6 oz | 444 g

$20

Wild Country Pro Key Nut Tool with Leash

3.8 oz | 109 g

$85

Petzl Laser Speed Light Ice Screw

3.5 oz | 100 g

$400

Wild Country Friend Cam Set

1.6 lbs | 0.7 kg

$7-50

Metolius Sling - 11mm

25-480 cm Length
11m Width
0.60-6.42 oz | 17-182 g

$75

Black Diamond Miniwire Alpine Quickdraw 3-Pack

2.65 oz | 75 g

$95

Black Diamond HotWire Quickdraw Pack

3.32 oz | 94 g

$64

Black Diamond Transfer Snow Shovel

1.5 lbs | 0.7 kg

$400

Mammut Barryvox Avalanche Transreceiver

6 oz | 170 g

$100

Black Diamond QuickDraw Pro 320 Probe

1 lb | 0.5 kg

Food Options
• Choose calorie-dense, protein-rich, and carbohydrate-heavy foods that require minimal preparation.
• Good options include peanut butter, tortillas, tuna and chicken packets, nuts, protein powder, crackers, cheese, trail mix, oatmeal, dehydrated pasta, sandwiches, ramen, protein bars, dried fruit, hot cocoa, instant mashed potatoes, and Snickers.

Titanium vs. Stainless Steel vs. Aluminum
• Titanium: Very lightweight but poor heat transfer (burns food and requires more fuel)
• Stainless Steel: Great heat conductor but very heavy
• Aluminum: Moderately lightweight and moderate heat transfer

Stove Purpose in Mountaineering
• Use a stove primarily to melt snow and boil water
• There’s no real cooking on the ascent

Pro

$190

MSR WindBurner® Personal Stove System

Stove/Pot/Cup
15.3 oz | 433 g

standard

$85

MSR PocketRocket Deluxe Stove

Stove Only
2.9 oz | 82 g

standard

$30

GSI Glacier Stainless 1.1 L Boiler

Stainless Steel
12 oz | 340 g

budget

$26

Toaks Titanium 750ml Pot

Titanium
3.6 oz | 102 g

$10

Klean Kanteen 27 oz Wide Water Bottle

Insulated Bottle
7.5 oz | 213 g

$17

Nalgene 32oz Wide Mouth Water Bottle

6.3 oz | 177 g

$2

Mini BIC Lighter

0.4 oz | 11.3 g

$24

Near Zero Hygiene Kit

5.8 oz | 164 g

$30

Gear Repair Kit

4.8 oz | 136 g

$34

Ultralight/Watertight Medical Kit

8 oz | 227 g

$400

Garmin inReach Mini 2

GPS Navigation
Satellite Communicator
3.5 oz | 99 g

$1,100

Garmin Tactix 7

GPS Navigation
3.1 oz | 89 g