High Alpine Treks - Equipment Information
ISM
has a large stock of mountaineering equipment which is lent to clients at no
extra charge. Experienced climbers will find it best to bring their own tried
and tested personal equipment. Your Guide / ISM will supply all ropes and any
technical hardware required.
Technical Equipment
which ISM can provide (free of charge)
Rucksack
Ice
axe
Crampons
Harness
Ropes
and technical hardware
Personal Clothing
Dressing properly for the mountains can make the difference between an enjoyable
trip and an uncomfortable one. Clothing should give the right degree of warmth
for the activity, wick perspiration and be easy to ventilate.
Equipment List
Personal
clothing and footwear for
the hotel and valley
Waterproof
jacket (Goretex or
Triplepoint)
Waterproof
trousers (lighter weight.
Full length zips are extremely useful for mountaineering courses ).
Rigid
mountaineering boots (please
see section on boots below). B1 category or B2 (suitable for taking
crampons. C1
crampons are suitable for B1 boots!).
Gaiters (in
breathable fabric, to
wear when on the snowy glaciers)
Warm
Gloves or mitts.
Inner
gloves Thin for hand protection
and warmth whilst using the hands.
Thermal
Top (a wicking base layer,
long sleeves are good to protect the arms from sun).
Mid layer thermal Top (layers are
much more versatile at regulating your body temperature)
Fleece
Jacket
Mountain
trousers (offering some warmth
and wind resistance. Not cotton)
Warm hat
Loop-stitch
socks, and spares.
Map Not
essential, the guide will have the correct map; they can be purchased
during the
course. Maps can be bought form Stanfords:
www.stanfords.co.uk
Compass
and whistle (optional).
Head
torch and spare battery
(lightweight
for hut use only)
Rucksack
45 to 55 litres
Small
personal first aid kit ('Compeed' and
tape for blisters and pain killers such as aspirin or ibruprofen).
Water
Bottle/'Camel pack' (1litre
minimum).
Pen Knife (to
use for packed lunches)
Sunglasses ('glacier' quality,
CE
rated 3 or 4)
Sun cream (factor 25+, total block)
and lip block
Sun
Hat (can be used as a small towel
for the hut as well as stopping your neck getting sunburnt)
Cotton
Scarf (can be used as a small
towel for the hut)
Shorts (for
hut walks in hot weather)
T-shirt (Spare
to wear in the hut)
Toothbrush and
toothpaste
Money (for
drinks) and Passport
(and Alpine Club or BMC card if you are a member)
Trekking
Poles (if you normally use
them) - highly recommended for Treks.
Ear plugs for
hut nights
Camera (compact recommended)
Technical Equipment
(can be provided free of charge by ISM)
Ice axe Standard
curved mountaineering axe such as those made by Charlet Moser, Grivel,
Mountain Tech,
and Simond'. A longer axe is better for High Alpine Treks
(60
to
75cms long,
depending on your height).
Crampons (with
anti balling plates
ideally)
Harness (with
adjustable leg loops
and side gear loops)
Large locking karabiner (HMS, pear
shaped)
PLEASE NOTE that Sleeping bags
are NOT required as huts provide blankets, but some people like to use a light
cotton or silk liner for comfort and hygiene.
Boots and Crampons - guidance notes
