Personal Equipment List

 

Expeditions To The Americas

 

 

This list is very specific to your expedition and has been compiled with your comfort and safety in mind. Read it and heed it. Our years of experience in the mountains have taught us what works and what doesn't, so it's not like we just sat around smoking crack and pulled this stuff out of our butts.

While we generally expect you to have your own, familiar gear relative to the experience necessary to participate in this expedition, let us know as soon as possible if you need us to make arrangements for you to rent anything in-country. Be aware that not all gear can be rented in the destination country.

You will be responsible for carrying your personal equipment, as well as a share of team equipment above basecamp (so suck it up). Therefore, your choice of personal equipment should be lightweight, durable and functional. It is important that you adhere closely to this checklist. Contact us at climb@expedition-logistics.com if you have questions regarding substitutions or particular brands of equipment.

 

Paperwork

[  ] airline tickets
[  ] valid passport
[  ] passport photocopies (5) – passport front page
[  ] Physician’s Release – a signed, dated letter from your primary care physician listing all prescription medication and the possible medical conditions for which they were issued; if traveling with syringes or needles, include a physician's letter documenting their medical necessity

 

Climbing

[  ] helmet – adjustable; UIAA approved; climbing type; no one climbs with an unprotected melon
[  ] harness – unpadded, alpine-type; w/ adjustable leg loops; must fit over all clothing with minimum 4” of belt remaining; gear loops a plus
[  ] avalanche transceiver – must be international standard 457 kHz frequency; w/ spare batteries
[  ] mountaineering boots – expedition quality plastic double boots w/ new liners, or equivalent leather double boot (make certain to break in leather boots); must be crampon compatible
[  ] crampons – must be 12-point, step-in; w/ adjustment tools; no strap-ons; make absolutely certain they fit your boots
[  ] ice tools (2) – hammer and adze; 45-50cm in length; straight or curved shaft; with comfortable leashes; no leashless tools, Mr. New Wave comp climber
[  ] ski poles – adjustable; avalanche probe type
[  ] locking carabiners (2) – HMS-type; auto-locking
[  ] standard carabiners (5) – non-locking ovals; standard- or wire-gate
[  ] belay device – mini figure-8 (recommended) or tube type
[  ] ascenders (2) – expedition type (make sure your mittened hands fit inside the handles)
[  ] sewn runners (2) – 24-inch, shoulder-length
[  ] accessory cord – 20’x7mm
[  ] headlamp – halogen bulb; w/ three sets spare batteries; no flashlights
[  ] LED headlamp – small, AA battery type for camp; saves your climbing lamp for … well, climbing
[  ] sunglasses – very dark; 100% UVA/UVB; w/ side shields (“glacier glasses”)
[  ] goggles – ski type; medium tint lens
[  ] repair kit – heavy duty needle & thread, 10’ duct tape, spare headlamp bulbs, spare batteries, 15’x3mm cord, etc.
[  ] first-aid kit – small, personal size; to include 10 Band-aids, 3 4x4 gauze pads, 1 roll ½-inch cloth tape, ½ square foot moleskin, 3” ACE bandage, 4 large safety pins, medicated cough drops, Tylenol, Aleve, Immodium, an antacid, your regular prescription medication, and the prescription drugs (in their original containers) as set forth in the Physician’s Release; all medications must be in original containers, clearly labeled

 

Camping

[  ] expedition backpack – internal frame; top loading; 5000+ cubic inch capacity (with the exception of your sleeping pad, everything must fit inside. If you show up looking like a scrap metal merchant with crap lashed to the outside, you will be mercilessly ridiculed); w/ side compression straps, floating top pocket, and ice axe loop; no outside pockets; no frills; keep it simple, Simon
[  ] summit pack – top loading, 2000 cubic inch capacity; w/ unpadded waist belt, side compression straps and ice axe loops
[  ] duffel bag – heavy-duty, 7500 cubic inch capacity; w/ padlock
[  ] stuff-sacks (3-4) – various sizes and colors to organize gear
[  ] sleeping bag – down (recommended) w/ stuff-sack, or synthetic fill w/ compression stuff-sack; mummy type; 0F; w/ 6” extra room in foot area
[  ] Thermarest pad – full length
[  ] camp booties – down or synthetic; your feet will thank you
[  ] pee bottle – wide mouth Nalgene brand; well marked with tape (trust us on this one)
[  ] plastic pee funnel – for the women; pee standing up, or in the tent, just like the boys; so convenient you’ll love us forever
[  ] trash bags (3) – large, heavy-duty; for keeping gear dry

 

Cooking

[  ] cup – 20 oz insulated plastic mug w/ lid
[  ] bowl – Tupperware; round, one-quart capacity; w/ lid
[  ] spoon – Lexan plastic
[  ] thermos – small aluminum type; .5-liter capacity
[  ] knife – Swiss Army type; unless you’re McGuyver, simple is better
[  ] water bottles (2) – Nalgene brand only; 1-liter capacity; wide mouth; no Camelbak-type bladder systems
[  ] water purification – (1 bottle) iodine crystals or Polar-Pure tablets

 

Clothing

[  ] shell jacket – heavy-duty, hard-shell; waterproof, breathable (Gore-tex or similar); built-in hood, two-way zipper, pit zips; must fit comfortably over thermal underwear and fleece underlayers
[  ] belay jacket – expedition quality, 700+ fill-power down; w/ hood and windproof outer shell; must fit over all layers of clothing, including shell jacket; synthetic ok
[  ] shell pants – heavy-duty; waterproof, breathable (Gore-tex or similar); full side zippers and suspenders
[  ] fleece pants – midweight; no Windstopper fabric
[  ] thermal underwear tops (2) – expedition weight polypropylene or Capilene; NO COTTON
[  ] thermal underwear bottoms (2) – expedition weight polypropylene or Capilene; NO COTTON
[  ] fleece shirt – light weight; zip-up or pullover
[  ] fleece vest – midweight; Windstopper fabric OK
[  ] wind shirt – front zip; lightweight nylon; no hood
[  ] fleece sweater – midweight; zip-up type; no pullovers; no Windstopper fabric
[  ] liner socks (3 pair) – polypropylene or Capilene; for blister prevention
[  ] hiking socks (3 pair) – heavyweight; hiking-type; wool or fleece; NO COTTON; make certain of good boot fit while wearing these AND a liner sock
[  ] liner gloves (1 pair) – thin polypropylene or Capilene
[  ] fleece gloves (1 pair) – midweight; Windstopper fabric OK
[  ] modular gloves (1 pair) – waterproof; w/ insulating inner glove, outer shell, and wrist leash; mountaineering/ice climbing type; no poser ski gloves
[  ] modular mittens (1 pair) – waterproof; w/ insulating inner mitt, outer shell and wrist leashes; mountaineering/ice climbing type; no ski gloves
[  ] warm hat – fleece or wool; should cover ears and fit under helmet; close-fitting but not tight; Windstopper fabric OK
[  ] fleece balaclava – to protect your face; can also be worn as a hat
[  ] fleece neck gaiter – keeps out snow and wind; looks dashing
[  ] neoprene facemask – to prevent frostbite on really cold days
[  ] gaiters – knee-length super-gaiters
[  ] sun hat – floppy, full brim-type (best) or baseball cap
[  ] bandana – many uses
[  ] camp pants (1 pair) – synthetic fabric; loose fitting; for casual, around-camp wear and sorority mixers
[  ] long-sleeved shirt (1) – for sun protection around camp and casual wear in town
[  ] shorts (1 pair) – nylon, quick drying; running-type; for hot springs, etc. Please, no Speedos or nut-huggers
[  ] t-shirts (2) – for casual wear in town and lounging at basecamp; synthetic best, but cotton OK
[  ] light hiking/trail-running shoes – for in town, acclimatization hikes, and hikes to basecamp; high top recommended for those with weak ankles
[  ] sports bra – for women (or men … who are we to judge, right?); synthetic; NO COTTON

 

Miscellaneous

[  ] camera – lightweight SLR or point-and-shoot; fresh batteries and spares; slow speed (ASA 100) film works best, but why not join the digital revolution, you cheap-skate
[  ] journal – small notebook & pencil (pens freeze)
[  ] reading material – for entertainment and bargaining with fellow team-members; sex, mystery, violence, or mountaineering epics are best
[  ] iPod or similar – bring your favorite tunes
[  ] ear plugs – for sleeping; you won’t believe how loudly your team members snore
[  ] toiletries – toothbrush and toothpaste, floss, biodegradable soap, deodorant, small camp towel, ½ roll toilet paper
[  ] handy-wipes (1 box) – the ubiquitous baby butt-wipes; 1000 uses around camp
[  ] insect repellent (2 oz) – 3M Ultrathon brand lotion; 33% DEET
[  ] liquid hand sanitizer – small (6 oz) bottle
[  ] chemical hand warmers (6 pair) – they keep your fingers from falling off
[  ] sun protection – sunscreen and lip balm; SPF 35 or better
[  ] wristwatch – with alarm; an altimeter is handy, too
[  ] money belt or pouch – save yourself a really big headache by thwarting the bag guys
[  ] traveler’s checks – no larger than 20 US dollars each