Author's Note:
Mountaineering and rock climbing can be dangerous. The risk of injury and death can not be eliminated. The author does not recommend participation in outdoor activities without extensive, gradual, outdoor experience, as well as guidance and instruction from a seasoned climber or professional guide.
Use the information contained here at your own risk.
RECOMMENDED GEAR CHECK LIST For those who don�t own gear, I�ve listed an approximate rental price per day next to each item. Make sure to call in advance to make rental arrangements, check availability, and confirm prices. Reserve the item now because you�ll find that gear goes quickly and if you wait until the week of the trip, no one will have gear to rent you, especially during busy weekends in the middle of the California climbing season. A list of Bay Area stores that rent gear is included at the end of the gear list. NOTE: This list is most likely overkill for weekend trips to many California mountains. Edit it depending on your trip, route, and mountain conditions. PERSONAL GEAR CHECK LIST * Internal Frame Backpack (External frame not good for snow travel but works) ($20) * Snow Shoes / Back country skis with skins ($15 s-shoes, $30 skis w/skins) * Adjustable Ski Poles / convertable probes($3.50) * Sleeping bag rated to at least 0 degrees or better ($15) * Sleeping pad ($6) * At least 2 one liter water bottles, but 3-4 is better no rental) - the camel baks seem to be popular also * Personal Climbing Gear * Appropriate climbing shoes * Harness - fits over winter climbing cloths - adjustable leg loops are a plus * Belay Device & Carabiner * Prusiks * Pulleys / Jumars * UIAA rated climbing helmet ($7) * Ice Axe / Tools with leash ($10) - 50cm to 70cm in length * Crampon compatible/waterproof boots ($18) - make sure these fit and are broken in! - plastics are better for longer, wet trips - leather works well for California mtns and shorter, dryer trips * Crampons ($10) - make sure your crampons are fitted to your boots! * Headlamp/flashlight with fresh batteries (no rental) * Low Moisture-absorbing layered under clothing (e.g. polypro, Lifa, synthetic pile) - NO COTTON! * underpants (no rental) * undershirt (no rental) * sweater/pullover ($6) * down/synthetic jacket or vest * socks - at least 2 synthetic pairs - plus 2 pairs liners(no rental) * snythetic hat/balaclava (no rental) * baseball/sun cap(no rental) * mittens/gloves ($6 includes overgloves usually) - one light weight - one heavy weight * Waterproof breathable outerwear (e.g. HellyTech, GoreTex) * Rain/Snow Parka with hood ($15) * Rain/Snow Pants (pile, snythetic, wool) ($12) * Overgloves ($6 - see mittens/gloves above) * Boot gaiters covering boot to at least calf($5) * Avalanche Transceiver * Sun block lotion (no rental) * Lip balm with sun block (no rental) * Personal eating bowl and utensils (no rental) * Personal toiletries (no rental) * A 1 gallon zip lock type Freezer Bag with a grocery bag cut in half - this is your shit bag (no rental) * 2 one gallon zip lock type Freezer Bags to pack out your trash (no rental) * Sunglasses/Goggles (no rental) * Food * Watch with alarm * Itinerary & contact info of closest ranger station left with responsible person * Individual Climbing Permit (if needed) * $0.35 for phone call, or more OPTIONAL PERSONAL GEAR CHECK LIST (Nice, but not always necessary) * Personal first aid kit - especially blister prevention aids (no rental) * Personal supply of toilet paper if you don�t want to use snow (no rental - thank gosh for that!) * Dry and clean clothing to change into when you return to cars * Extra stash of food (munchies!) and water upon return to cars * Base camp shoes - nothing like having dry booties for camp! (no rental) * Camera and film if you want to record your trip * Deodorant (maybe not optional for some of us! :-) * Personal Mess kit, utensils, bowl, cup, etc. * Camp Pillow * Cutting Knife * Walkie-Talkie * Pen & Personal Journal * Extra Batteries * Paperback book * Playing Cards/Game RECOMMENDED GROUP GEAR CHECK LIST For those who don�t own gear, the best thing to do is hook up with someone who owns gear! * Tent(s), Bivy Sack/Footprint * Tent Pole Repair Kit * Stove (1 for every 3-4 people) * Pots/Pans * Cooking Utensils * Snow Shovel (1 for every 3-4 people) * Binoculars (helpful for scoping routes, avalanche danger, etc.) * Climbing Rope * Biners * Ice / Rock Protective Gear / Rack * Snow Anchors * Cordellettes / Cords * Webbing/Draws * Route Book * Duct Tape * Compass * Altimeter * Topo Map * Bear Rope / Container (if needed) * Group First Aid Kit * Water Filter (1 for every 3-4 people) * Directions * Extra group ZipLocs/Garbage Bags * Fuel Bottles * Sanitation Trowel * Extra fuel * Matches/Lighter in ziploc bags * Back Country Permit BAY AREA GEAR RENTAL STORES Marmot Mountain Works 3049 Adeline Berkeley CA (510) 849-0735 Marmot will give you a 10% discount if enough of people rent there (~10 people) REI 1338 San Pablo Berkeley CA (510) 527-4140 (also REI in San Carlos, Cupertino, & Concord) No group discount. Basically, the $15 dollar life-time membership would be worth buying if you need to rent anything because you get a discount as a member. Outdoors Unlimited Coop Adventures UCSF Campus 530 Parnassus Ave San Francisco CA (415)476-2078 G&M Sales 1667 Market San Francisco CA (415)863-2855 Western Mountaineering 840 Town & Country Village Winchester Ave, just north of 280. (408)984-7611 (Also one located in Walnut Creek)
To go to Tips for the Beginning Mountaineer . . . - CLICK HERE -
To go to Mountaineering Trip Organizing Tips . . . - CLICK HERE -