Glacier Travel Course Gear List
Having the proper equipment is essential for a safe and enjoyable trip!
All gear and clothing needs to be in good condition and if new you must ensure that it fits well and you are familiar with its use.
Any soft safety gear (harnesses, slings, prussiks) older than 10 years should be carefully inspected. There should be no obvious wear. Consider replacing soft gear that is more than 10 years old. You may borrow this equipment from me.
Any hard safety gear (helmets, ice axes, crampons, carabiners) must be inspected for cracks and wear; replace it if it is worn. You may borrow this equipment from me.
If you have any questions please do not hesitate to contact me; I may have some of the items you require available for you to borrow.
Climbing gear
Boots
A lighter weight mountaineering boot such as the Scarpa Zodiac or Charmoz, or the Sportiva Trango will work. A heavier boot such as Scarpa Mont Blanc or Sportiva Nepal is also appropriate and may be more waterproof and comfortable for a long day on the glacier.
A stiff, mostly leather, waterproof backpacking boot with full ankle support and a stiff, lug sole is appropriate. Mostly fabric hiking shoes with bendy soles will not work. If you are uncertain that you have the appropriate footwear, please send a photo of your boots and we can discuss. Here is a photo of a typical hiking boot that will work for the glacier travel course.
Soft hiking boots or shoes will not work.
I do not have boots to borrow or rent. Options for boot rental are: Gear Up (Canmore), Wilson Sports (Lake Louise).
Crampons
These need to fit your boot well – when fitted properly they will stick to your boot without the straps or bindings.
I require all clients to have anti-balling plates on their crampons. No exceptions.
For easy and moderate routes, a pair of 10-point crampons are adequate.
I can provide crampons if required.
Ice axe
Any ice axe 50 cm or longer will suffice.
I can supply an ice axe if required.
Helmet
Bring a helmet designed for climbing.
Your helmet needs to be free of damage.
I can supply a helmet if required.
Harness
A sit harness with a belay loop is required
Your harness needs to be free of damage and excessive wear
I can supply a harness if required.
Crevasse rescue kit
I can supply all of this if you need:
2 locking carabiners
2 non-locking carabiners
One 5m length of 6 mm prussic cord
One 120 cm sewn sling
Optional if you have it: 1 Tibloc or equivalent with locking carabiner, 1 Micro-Traction or equivalent with locking carabiner
A belay/rappel device for the advanced crevasse rescue course only.
Other Equipment
Backpack
30-40 L pack
Sunglasses, sunscreen, lip protection
At the very minimum a 30 SPF sunscreen and lip protection is required. Full sunblock for your lips is recommended.
Sunglasses with wrap-around coverage and dark lenses are required.
Small first aid and repair kit
I’ll have a major first aid and repair kit but you should bring some band-aids, blister protection (include blister pads and duct tape), headache pills, head cold/antihistamine medication, cough drops, rash cream, pocket knife.
Water bottle and/or thermos
I usually carry about 1.5 - 2 L of liquids
Extendable walking pole
This should be able to collapse small enough to fit into your pack. I may have extras you can use.
Headlamp
Bring extra batteries, you may be using this for hours every morning.
Personal toilet kit
Include toilet paper, and a baggie for used paper
Hand sanitizer is required
Ear plugs (for sleeping) and wet wipes are recommended
Camera
Consider extra batteries or a portable charging unit.
Clothing systems
Socks, underwear and t-shirts
Bring one or two of each. Synthetic only, no cotton.
Long underwear top and bottoms
I like a zip-t neck for my long sleeved top. I use lightweight long-johns and a medium weight top. Synthetic only, no cotton.
Climbing pants
A soft shell fabric is highly recommended.
Softshell jacket
I like a hooded jacket, but it is not absolutely necessary. I avoid heavy fleece garments, as they are not wind-resistant and too warm for many activities. Rather, in cold conditions I will bring two thinner layers: a lightweight softshell and a second lightweight softshell or fleece.
Insulated jacket
I prefer a synthetic jacket that is lightweight, warm, and compressible. If you don’t bring one of these there is a good chance you will get cold!
Gore-tex jacket and pants
A hooded waterproof jacket and rain-proof pants are required. I prefer the lightweight Gore-tex such as Paclite or Proshell.
Hats
A warm toque
A sun hat (I prefer a Gilligan type hat)
A balaclava for stormy weather and a lightweight toque for use while walking uphill are recommended
Gloves
Warm ski-type gloves
Single gloves are OK for overnight trips but for multi-day trips, gloves with removable inners (easier to dry) are required
A lightweight pair of gloves should also be brought for warm conditions
Gaiters
Close-fitting gaiters are required so your crampons don’t snag them as easily. The shorter type gaiters seem to work well even in deeper snow conditions.
camping
Tent or camping van or rv
Sleeping bag
A bag rated from to about 0 degrees Celsius is generally all that is needed for camping trips in July and August. Down or synthetic are both fine.
Sleeping pad
Any kind will do but I prefer the thicker air mattresses such as the Thermarest Neoair XTherm or Exped SynMat UL for summer.
Street clothes and footwear
Your normal around town clothing is nice to have in the campground. Make sure you have warm layers as it can be chilly.
Cooking gear
Camp stove, pots, eating utensils.
FOOD
You are responsible for your own food.
phone
There is spotty cell coverage at the campgrounds. It is better at the information centre, a 5 minute drive away.
GROUP GEAR
You will be required to carry some of the group gear (rescue equipment, climbing equipment) and you will need room in your pack to do so.
guide gear
I’ll provide…
Communications device (radio and/or satellite messenger)
GPS, map and compass
First aid and repair kit
Emergency shelter and evacuation kit
Group climbing gear (rope etc)