Rock Climbing, Mountaineering, Ice Climbing, Avalanche Courses, and Backcountry Skiing Equipment lists.
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ROCK HARDWARE
(ALL LEVELS)
❏ HARNESS
❏ HELMET (climbing)
❏ ROCK SHOES (comfortable)
❏ CHALK BAG
❏ BELAY DEVICE (Reverso-style) + LOCKING CARABINER (pear-shaped)
❏ 3 - LOCKING CARABINERS (D-shape)
❏ 4 - CARABINERS (non-locking)
❏ 2 - DOUBLE LENGTH SLINGS (2 x 120cm)
❏ 1 - CORDALETTE (5m x 7mm cord)
❏ 1 - STERLING 13.5” HOLLOW BLOCK PRUSIK
↪ADD FOR:
LEVEL 2 ROCK &
COMPLETE ROCK
❏ 6 - QUICKDRAWS
❏ 1 - GRIGRI
❏ 70m x 9.4-9.8mm DYNAMIC ROPE
❏ ROPE TARP
↪ADD FOR:
LEVEL 3 & 4 ROCK
RESCUE ROCK
AID ROCK &
COMPLETE ROCK
❏ RACK OF GEAR (set of nuts #4-10, single set cams 0.2 - 3”)
❏ 1 - NUT TOOL
❏ 6 - QUICKDRAWS
❏ 2 - ALPINE DRAWS
❏ 1 - LOCKING CARABINERS (D-shaped)
❏ 2 - CARABINERS (non-locking)
❏ 1 - CORDALETTE (5m x 7mm cord)
↪ADD FOR AID ROCK:
❏ 2 - DAISY CHAINS. 115cm or 140cm depending on height (above 5'8" 140cm)
❏ 2 - AIDERS. Minimum 4-step U-shaped work best (ie. Metolius Pocket Aider)
❏ 2 - ASCENDERS W/ HANDLES (left and right)
❏ 6-8 SPARE BINERS
❏ 1 - MICROTRAXION
❏ 1 - 2m x 7mm CORD (docking line)
❏ 1 - HAULBAG
CLOTHING FOR ROCK COURSES
(WEATHER DEPENDENT)
❏ SYNTHETIC PANTS
❏ SHORTS (only for hot weather)
❏ SYNTHETIC T-SHIRT
❏ SYNTHETIC LONG SLEEVE
❏ SYNTHETIC SOCKS
❏ WINDSHELL (ie. Arcteryx Squamish Hoody)
❏ WATERPROOF GORETEX SHELL
❏ WARM FLEECE SWEATER (insulated layer)
❏ APPROACH SHOES (trail shoes for dirt/rock)
❏ HAT (toque for cold, brim for sun)
NOTE: It is colder in Squamish than you might believe. The wind often blows creating a dramatic chilling effect. Please come prepared to stay warm while spending the whole day outdoors in a variety of weather conditions.
PERSONAL GEAR FOR ROCK COURSES
❏ 30 liter BACKPACK
❏ 15 liter CLIMBING PACK (Level 4 Rock, Complete Rock)
❏ SMALL FIRST AID KIT (bandaids, pain killers)
❏ CELL PHONE (charged 100%)
❏ SUN SCREEN (SPF 30)
❏ SUNGLASSES
❏ FLUIDS (1 liter water)
❏ FOOD (ie. sandwich, granola bar, trail mix, apple)
MOUNTAINEERING &
CREVASSE RESCUE
HARDWARE
❏ HARNESS (can be lightweight)
❏ HELMET (climbing)
❏ ROCK SHOES (for Level 1 Alpine)
❏ CRAMPONS (fit to boots)
❏ MOUNTAINEERING BOOTS (1/2 shank backpacking boots work)
❏ 1 - BELAY DEVICE (Reverso-style)
❏ 4 - LOCKING CARABINERS (pear shape)
❏ 1 - TRIPLE ACTION LOCKING CARABINER w/ CAPTIVE EYE
❏ 6 - CARABINERS (non-locking)
❏ 1 - DOUBLE LENGTH SLINGS (120cm)
❏ 1 - CORDALETTE (5m x 6mm cord)
❏ 1 - 13.5” HOLLOW BLOCK PRUSIK
❏ 1 - TIBLOC
❏ 1 - NANOTRAXION OR SPOCK (progress-capture device)
❏ 1 - 60-70cm ICE AXE
❏ 1 - TREKKING POLE (without the basket)
❏ 1 - 21cm ICE SCREW (recommended)
❏ 1 - 53cm SNOW PICKET w/ CABLE
❏ ***1 - 60m x 9.0-9.4mm DYNAMIC ROPE (VMG can supply)
CLOTHING FOR MOUNTAINEERING COURSES
❏ 1 - SYNTHETIC PANTS (ie. Arcteryx Gamma Pants)
❏ 1 - SHORTS (only for hot weather)
❏ 1 - SYNTHETIC T-SHIRT
❏ 1 - SUN-SHIRT HOODIE (ie. Arcteryx Cormac Hoody SPF40+)
❏ 1 - SYNTHETIC LONG SLEEVE (ie. Patagonia R1)
❏ 1 - SYNTHETIC SOCKS
❏ 1 - WINDSHELL (ie. Arcteryx Squamish Hoody)
❏ 1 - WATERPROOF GORETEX SHELL
❏ 1 - WATERPROOF GORETEX SHELL PANTS
❏ 1 - THERMAL JACKET (insulation)
❏ 1 - GAITERS (optional)
❏ 1 - GLOVES
❏ 1 - SUNGLASSES (dark for snow/glacier)
❏ 1 - HAT (toque for cold, brim for sun)
❏ 1 - HUT BOOTIES or FLIP-FLOPS (for camp) (not for Rescue Alpine)
NOTE: Some clothing on this list will be worn vs carried in the backpack. If you are a cold person, bring an extra sweater or jacket. The goal is to pack as light as possible. Critically assess each piece for weight and necessity.
BACKCOUNTRY CAMPING KIT
(for overnight trips)
❏ 55L BACKPACK
❏ 25L LIGHT ALPINE DAYPACK (fit inside big pack)
❏ DOWN SLEEPING BAG (-1 to -5c)
❏ SLEEPING PAD
❏ PLASTIC CUP
❏ PLASTIC BOWL (SMALL TUPPERWARE W/LID WORKS)
❏ PLASTIC FORK/SPOON (MSR SPORK OR DIXIE)
❏ HEADLAMP (100%CHARGED)
❏ PHONE CAMERA (100% CHARGED)
❏ SATELLITE DEVICE (inReach)
❏ GAIA APP (DOWNLOAD FREE) or MAP & COMPASS
❏ TOOTHBRUSH/TOOTHPASTE
❏ MOSQUITO REPELLANT
❏ SUNSCREEN SPF50 (for glacier)
❏ FIRST AID (BANDAIDS, PAIN RELIEF, BLISTER PADS, ATHLETIC TAPE)
❏ ***BEAR SPRAY (1 cannister/2 people)
❏ ***2-PERSON LIGHTWEIGHT TENT
❏ ***CANISTER STOVE (ie. MSR Pocket Rocket)
❏ ***1 - 110GM FUEL CANISTER EACH (burns for ~30mins on high)
❏ ***1 - 1L POT (TINY SCRUBBY, 15mLs CAMPSUDS)
*** Shared gear. Can be coordinated before the trip.
NOTES ABOUT WEIGHT: It’s important to critically appraise equipment you carry in order to ensure a light pack. In the alpine, being efficient with a lighter pack means you will move faster. Think if you will use a piece of equipment or just carry it for peace of mind? Examples include shared equipment like first aid kits and toothpaste that each person will carry separately when in reality these items can be shared.
ICE CLIMBING
HARDWARE
❏ HARNESS
❏ HELMET (for climbing)
❏ ICE CLIMBING BOOTS (stiff with welts for ice crampons)
❏ ICE CLIMBING CRAMPONS
❏ BELAY DEVICE
❏ 1 - LOCKING CARABINER
GEAR
❏ 30-40 liter BACKPACK (with ice axe holders)
❏ SMALL FIRST AID KIT (bandaids, pain killers)
❏ CELL PHONE (charged 100%)
❏ THERMOS (for tea, hot chocolate, or coffee)
❏ SUNGLASSES
❏ WIDE MOUTH WATER BOTTLE (1 liter)
❏ WATER BOTTLE PARKA (prevent freezing)
❏ FOOD (ie. bars, nuts, cheese, chocolate)
CLOTHING
❏ 1 - SYNTHETIC PANTS (water resistant outer layer ie. schoeller or goretex)
❏ 1 - THERMAL LONG UNDERWEAR BOTTOM OR INSULATED PANTS (base layer)
❏ 1 - THERMAL LONG UNDERWEAR TOP (base layer)
❏ 1 - MID-WEIGHT FLEECE TOP (ie. Patagonia R1)
❏ 1 - THERMAL ACTIVE LAYER TOP (ie. Arcteryx Proton)
❏ 1 - ACTIVE INSULATION JACKET (ie. Arcteryx Proton UL)
❏ 1 - WATERPROOF GORETEX SHELL
❏ 1 - BELAY PARKA (ie. Arcteryx Alpha Belay)
❏ 1 - SUPER WARM MITTS OR GLOVES
❏ 1 - CLIMBING GLOVES (ie. Black Diamond Punisher)
❏ 1 - WARM TOQUE (fits under helmet)
❏ 1 - THERMAL SOCKS
AVALANCHE AST &
SKIING (Day trips)
EQUIPMENT
❏ SKI TOURING KIT, SPLITBOARD KIT, SNOWSHOES (with skins & poles)
❏ HELMET
❏ AVALANCHE TRANSCEIVER (3 antenna preferred)
❏ PROBE (3m probe preferred)
❏ SHOVEL (extendable handle)
❏ SNOW SAW (optional)
❏ FIRST AID KIT (blister kit, bandages, tape, pain killers)
❏ HEADLAMP (100% charged)
❏ SKI GOGGLES
❏ SUNGLASSES (weather dependant)
❏ CELL PHONE (100% charged)
❏ DOWNLOAD GAIA GPS MAPS (free maps app)
❏ LUNCH & SNACKS
❏ 1L WATER
❏ THERMOS (tea, hot chocolate, coffee)
CLOTHING
❏ THERMAL LONG UNDERWEAR BOTTOM AND TOP
❏ MID-WEIGHT FLEECE TOP (ie. Patagonia R1)
❏ LIGHT INSULATED JACKET (ie. Arcteryx Proton LT)
❏ WATERPROOF/BREATHABLE SHELL JACKET (ie. Arcteryx Beta LT)
❏ WATERPROOF/BREATHABLE PANTS/BIBS
❏ DOWN OR SYNTHETIC INSULATED PARKA (super warm)
❏ THERMAL SOCKS (worn)
❏ WARM HAT/TOQUE
❏ BALACLAVA
❏ 1 x LIGHTLY INSULATED GLOVES (for touring)
❏ 1 x THERMAL GLOVES
