Chris Ensoll - Alps Equipment

Chris Ensoll Mountain Guide

Equipment for Summer Alpine Mountaineering

If you don't have any of these items, don't panic! Give us a call for advice on what to buy. Items marked * can be hired from us for Ł5 per item per day. Items marked # are provided free of charge if you don't have your own, and must be replaced if lost.

Boots
Leather mountaineering boots, eg La Sportiva Nepal Top Extreme, are best, but plastic boots (Koflach, Asolo, Scarpa) are also OK. Boots can be hired locally if you don't want to buy them specially for your trip, at around Ł10 per day.

*Crampons
These should have ten or twelve points, and must have front points, eg Grivel G12. They can be clip-on or strap-on, depending on what fits best with your boots. Anti-balling plates are recommended.

*Ice axe/*ice hammer
For general mountaineering, a 55-65cm axe is needed. Climbing requires a shorter hammer and axe (50-55cm), with either an inclined (banana) pick or a drooped pick. A wrist loop should be fitted to all climbing tools, but is not needed on a mountaineering axe.

#Climbing Harness
With adjustable leg-loops, so it can be fitted over thick clothing without removing boots and crampons, eg Black Diamond Bod style

#Climbing Helmet

Gaiters
A neoprene strap is much better than a shoelace to go under the boot.

Waterproof jacket and over trousers
These should be as light as possible. Trousers should have at least a knee-length zip so they can be fitted over boots and crampons, a full-length zip in the legs is preferable. The jacket should have a good hood that will fit over your helmet.

Gloves and Hat
One pair of warm ski gloves or mittens, one pair of thin fleece gloves, one warm hat, one sun hat or cap, and a buff as a spare hat or neck protection.

Rucksack
50-55 litres, eg Lowe Alpine Attack. A strong plastic liner is essential for keeping contents dry.

Rock boots
For valley cragging

Walking poles
Transfer some of the strain from your legs to your arms

#8' sling with screwgate karabiner

#Belay plate with screwgate karabiner
eg Black Diamond XTC.

#Ice screw & stopper
Charlet Moser Laser or Grivel Extrabite

Prussik loops
3 prussiks if you already have them, or 4m of 5-6mm soft cord to make them up when you arrive.

Bivvi bag
Large polythene survival bag

Headtorch with spare batteries and bulb
eg Petzl Tikka

Glacier Glasses
plus spare pair of sunglasses if you have them. Essential to protect eyes against sun and snow glare. Glasses must fit close to your face, or have side panels to prevent light leakage.

First aid kit
Small personal pack including treatment for blisters.

Water bottle
eg Nalgene, or Platypus/Camelback (better if insulated): 1 - 1.5 litres.

Ear plugs
Very useful when sleeping in mountain huts. Can be bought at chemist or DIY shop

Sun screen
Factor 15 minimum for skin, plus total block for lips

Lightweight sheet sleeping bag
For using in mountain huts

Clothing
Should include thermal top & bottom, fleece top(s) (two thin better than one thick), tracksuit trousers or lightweight trousers, walking socks, shorts, t-shirts, etc.

Compass, map, watch
Maps should be weatherproofed in strong clear plastic bag or covered in clear fablon or protected by a map case - Ortlieb cases are excellent. A watch with an alarm is very useful.

Mobile phone

Towel & wash kit

Camera

Current passport and Alpine climbing insurance

Camping equipment
Tent, sleeping bag, cooking equipment etc if you are camping when in the valley

Money
Local currency can be obtained using Visa and debit cards from cash machines. Some mountain huts and telepheriques accept Visa