Rock Climbing Gear List

Modern safety gear designed for climbing is required. Equipment such as harness and helmet needs to be in good condition and preferably less than 10 years old. If in doubt please ask if your gear is appropriate.

I can provide helmet, harness, carabiners, belay device and sling at no extra charge if you require. I can arrange for rock shoe rental.

Separate equipment lists for Crag and Sport Climbing, Multi-pitch Climbing, and Alpine Rock Climbing are below. If you are unsure what type of climb you are participating in please ask.

Crag and Sport climbing

Gear required for climbing days that require a short walk to a cliff and single pitch climbs where we return to the ground after every climb. This includes introduction to rock climbing days.

• Backpack that everything below will fit into (helmet is ok on the outside of the pack).

• Approach shoes - good for trails and scree.

• Rock climbing shoes.

• Helmet.

• Harness.

• 2-3 locking carabiners.

• Belay/rappel device.

• Water bottle - at least one liter.

• Lunch that you can eat "on the fly".

• Camera (optional).

• Light rain jacket (waterproof).

• Leather belay gloves.

• Climbing pants.

• T-shirt.

• Long sleeve shirt.

• Soft shell or fleece/windshell combo.

• Depending on the forecasted temperatures you may throw in a lightweight puffy jacket insulating layer and long johns.

• It is best to have synthetic or wool clothing rather than cotton.

multi-pitch climbs

Climbs where we do not return to the ground after every pitch. We usually carry some or all of our gear up the climb with us in our packs. Walking to the climb and back down is often longer and rougher than going to a crag climbing area with single pitch climbs.

• All of the gear listed above.

• A compact backpack that does not interfere with our climbing movement.

• Solid footwear for the approach to the climb. A light hiking shoe is required.

• Rock climbing shoes need to be comfortable so you can wear them all day including standing on ledges for long periods.

• 120 cm long sewn webbing sling or PAS (personal anchor system).

• A lightweight puffy jacket insulating layer is usually a good idea. Long johns and a warm hat that fits beneath a helmet may be helpful especially for climbs in the spring, early summer, and fall.

• Optional: collapsible walking pole - it must be able to fit inside your pack for the climb.

Alpine Rock Climbs

These are mountain climbs with longer and rougher approaches. These climbs are at higher elevation, are longer, and may be subject to harsher weather conditions.

• All gear listed above.

• Solid footwear for the approach to the climb and the descent. At minimum a light hiking shoe is required but a more robust hiking shoe/boot or a light mountaineering boot may be preferred. Please ask what footwear is required for the route in question.

• A lightweight puffy jacket insulating layer is required.

• A warm hat that fits beneath a helmet is required.

• Headlamp is required.

• Collapsible walking pole is required - it must be able to fit inside your pack for the climb.

• Long johns may be helpful especially for climbs in the spring, early summer, and fall.