Complete List

This is my complete list of mountaineering supplies. I have divided the list into five subgroups that, in my opinion, would be intuitive categories for any climber preparing for a climb. Additionally, the categories form the memorable acronym P.A.T.H.S. There are four categories: provisions, apparel, travel gear, health items, and special items. I am somewhat ashamed of myself for using the clichéd art of acronym formulation, but I find it both sufficiently useful and memorable to mitigate the pain of associating myself with such a chintzy marketing ploy, but I digress.

Though each climber's list may vary significantly, I believe my own should suffice as an acceptable touchstone. Provisions will vary most significantly. For instance, I am gluten-free. If I were not, I would probably bring three Subway sandwiches and few other foods. I also stick to foods that do not require cooking because I lack the means and the desire to cook on the mountain. Apparel is largely equivalent from climber to climber. Likewise, travel gear shows little variance from climber to climber. Health items include preparations for altitude sickness, skin protection, and high-altitude defecation. Avoid these items at your own peril. Special items include anything non-vital for the expedition. These items can be brought at your discretion. I pack flags and a camera for photos at the top and the traditional shot of Jaegermeister.

Again, this is my personal list. If you put together a list and send it to me, I can post it as another example. We'll talk specifics later, but for now, this will be a good jumping-off point.


PROVISIONS
Cooking Equipment
---Cooking Stove (I don't use one yet.)
---Spork and Knife
Food
---Dried Fruit (Strawberries / Pineapple / Cranberries)
---Nuts (Almonds / Peanuts / Cashews)
---Gummi (Bears(chocolate covered?)/Sharks/Worms/Fish)
---Meat (Sausage / Jerky / Pepperstick / Salami)
---Carbohydrates (Cookies / Wafers / Rice Crispies)
---PB&J Sandwiches
---Honey
Water
---3 Bottles
---Gatorade
---Instant Coffee / Green Tea

APPAREL
Head
---Hat (Beanie / Sun Shade)
---Bandanna / Shemagh
---Sun Glasses
---Ski Goggles
Upper Body
---Base layer
---Long Sleeve Shirt
---Sweater / Fleece
---Coat
Lower Body
---Underwear (Preferrably not cotton)
---Base layer
---Hiking Pants (Convert to shorts)
---Snow Pants (I do, some don't)
Extremities
---Gloves
---Wool Socks (2-3X)
---Hiking Boots

Travel Gear
Beginner
---Backpack
---Headlamp
---Gaiters
More Technical
---Cramp-ons
---Snow Shoes
---Trekking Poles
Most Technical
---Climbing Harness and Carabiner
---Climbing Rope
---Climbing Helmet
---Ice Axe
---Skis and Skins / Snowboard (Optional)
Camping
---Tent
---Sleeping Pad
---Sleeping Bag (Bivy Sack and Sleeping Bag Liner Optional)
---Snowshovel (If camping in the snow)
---Flashlight
Glissading
---Garbage Bag or Snowpants

Health Gear (Survival)
Skin Protection
---Sunscreen
---Skin Cream
---Chapstick
---Anti-chafing method
Toiletries
---Toilet Paper
---Waste Disposal Bag
---Toothbrush
---Advil (altitutde sickness)
Survival
---Knife
---Compass
---Parachute Chord
---Matches
---Spare Batteries
---Phone
---Plastic Baggies

Special Items (Superfluous)
Camera
Flag (I will be packing a Washington flag and an East Malaysia flag.)
Mountain Dew
Tobacco
---Cigar or Pipe
Alcohol
---Small Shot Bottles for Summit
---Beer


Optional (Pre/Post-Hike)
Before and after the hike, it may be useful to have these items onhand.
Aloe Vera
5 gallon bucket for wet clothes or for washing clothes
Cook pot and burner for a hot meal.
Toiletries
Waterproofing Spray for boots, coat, pants, etc.

Why People Really Wear North Face

Executive Eyewear

Spring time approaches and with it comes innumerable photons which mine skin is keen to embrace, but mine eyes, sadly, are not. As we long-forgotten mole-people of winter tentatively emerge from our light-free habitations, we would do well to protect our eyes. And protect them we shall.

In previous postings I have briefly touched upon a few options for mountaineering eye wear, which is one component in the apparel category of my PATHS model for mountaineering necessities. I  continue to believe the tried and true combination of sunglasses and goggles are functionally adequate, refreshingly simple, and financially reasonable, but today I must expand on the the myriad of possibilities. 

 

Russian President Vladamir Putin bought these goggles from the X-Men...or was it the Ж-Mужчины?

Iranian President Ahmadinejad with his friends at Willy Wonka's Chocolate Factory.

Both Putin and Ahmadinejad are wearing goggles with excellent coverage of the eye. Neither Siberian ice, nor Persian sand, will be capable of penetrating their defenses. Tomahawk cruise missiles perhaps, but not snow or sand. Eye coverage is important while mountaineering, since the eyes can be spared the duty of protecting themselves by staying shut. Also, both heads of state have tinted lenses to protect their eyes against any harsh light and CIA hypnosis. This is also an important component of mountaineering eye wear due to increased exposure to the sun and glare from the snow. These goggles, however, are not necessarily advantageous if you are seeking re-election. Putin met with success while Ahmadinejad did not.

Iranian President Ahmadinejad went to a 3D movie and didn't invite the Ayatollah.



Some leaders simply do not have the technology.

On a more African note, there was Moammar Gadhafi: the former Libyan dictator that Hollywood found trendy to despise despite their mutual trendiness. He was the bomb until we decided to bomb.

Gadhafi was well aware of one aspect of the North African environment: the sun is bright...really bright.

Gadhafi's choice was a classic move for several reasons:

1) Sunglasses make their wearer instantly cool.
2) Ray Charles

3) They go well with hats of both traditional and military origins.

4) Stevie Wonder

5) They provide a compensatory role on bad hair days.

6) Professional poker players.

7) The Blues Brothers (Before but not after John Belushi).

Now that Gadhafi is gone we will have to find another world leader to take up the cause of sunglasses under any circumstance. While Putin is busy reenacting the movie Tron and Ahmadinejad is plugging into the Matrix, other world leaders are uncool and squinting.

Pol Pot's #2 opted for sunglasses but could not pull it off. 

Which brings us to our next subject.

 

President Obama appears to have a set of safety goggles that he dusts off before his obligatory outings amongst the proletariat (as seen here on four separate occasions).

You will also notice that for mountaineering they are practically useless. They do not provide the coverage of goggles or the sun-protection of sun glasses.

 

Of course, it is the obvious choice for President Obama as anything with greater coverage would hinder his golf game and anything darker might complicate his utilization of the teleprompter.

The president did, to his credit, find a hardhat. I have yet to purchase a mountaineering helmet, but seeing as how I did not vote for President Obama, I am sure someone will make the argument that I needn't bother protecting that which isn't there. 

Strategery!

Of course...not all of us need eye protection...

Look Good by Pointing

The importance of pointing accurately and repeatedly during any expedition cannot be stressed enough. Pointing facilitates extremely vital functions including identification, navigation, investigation, education, revelation, recommendation, and nasal cavity clearance. As indispensible as hese functions may be, we should also keep in mind that for as long as man has been in the business of exploration, pointing has made him look super cool. Take, for instance, the iconic figures of Meriweater Lewis and William Clark as they blaze a trail to the interior of North America. If they had not pointed with nearly perpetual regularity, we would probably not know their names today.

Clark: You see that? Ten bucks says it's edible.

Lewis and Clark are the Ameican masters of pointing, but what good is their mastery if it dies with them. Good pointers are good teachers, and you will seldom find a good teacher that is not a good pointer. We have reason to believe this is the case since Lewis and Clark taught other members of their expedition to point. They even let the occassional Squaw point out a few things...though they generally disregarded the input because of her non-sensical commentary. A picture may be worth a thousand words, but if the words aren't worth the air required to produce them, you can bet the picture will not be too valuable either.

Sacajawea: If I dropped my papoose, I would check the lost and found over there.

Sacajawea: Is that a man or a woman? I can't tell.

Do you think that Bed, Bath and Beyond is open?

There are individuals in contemporary society that have developed an expertise in the art of pointing, Brendan being the subject with whom I am most familiar. This proficiency was no-doubt acquired over the course of a miliary education, but the same principles translate into civilian purposes.

Military: Fire a sabot round through that tank.
Civilian: We need to run like hell from that tank.

Military: Let's storm this hill.
Civilian: I'm too tired to walk up this hill.

Military: I can't believe they let that guy in the military.
Civilian: I can't believe they let that guy in the military.

Some translations are perfect 1 for 1 translations.

Brendan: I can see my house from here.

Brendan: That is where babies come from.

Amy: I don't want to be right there.

HOW NOT TO POINT

I hate to pick on people (lie), but there is a wrong way to point.

1) The No-Look Point - It lacks any information conveying property of the point.

Kyle: Look at that...whatever it is...I don't know because I'm not looking at it.

Kyle: Look at it! I don't know what the pronoun it refers to in this sentence, but do it anyways!

2) The Cocky Point - Pointing at the camera isn't fun. It is rude.

Mothers always say, "it's rude to point."

 Kyle pointing at a perfect stranger who kindly agreed to photograph us.

Kyle pointing at a guy in a wheelchair on top of Rainier. Shame on you Kyle.

Eventually the ecstacy of Kyle's achievement wears off and he returns to the no-look point.

Kyle: I think that's the way down, but I'm not going to look and make sure.

I don't want to pick on Kyle. After all, I'm as guilty as the next man of the no-look point. In fact, I would say the image below is more condemning because I was blatantly performing the no-look point on purpose. It is own thing to ignorantly perform the no-look point, but I was doing so simply out of rebellion. It's called sin.

Evan is wrist deep in hesitation. Riding the fence. Non-commital.

Evan: Um...uh...which way is down again.

Me: It is right over here

3) Disco Point - Be a man. Don't point with your hand AND your hip.

Mat: There'th food thith way fellath.

Pointing is a powerful tool for being cool.

BUT BEWARE!!! 

You might end up looking like a real dick-tater.

Notice the bag of jerky under his arm. Perpetual grazing AND pointing!

Boo-yah!

---Sean W. Richardson

Travel Gear (What separates man from bears)

Headlamp

 

If we decide to start hiking at 2 AM (called an alpine start) you may need a headlight to see where you are going. Sometimes the full moon is out, but don't bet on it.

The point of an alpine start is to begin climbing the mountain while the snow is still cold and not slushy. The sun melts the snow during the day, and it is better to travel on hard ice than slippery slush. It also allows you to maximize your climbing time and return to camp before nightfall. If my group had not started climbing Mt. Rainier at 2:30 AM from 10,000 ft, we would have been coming back down the hill in potentially far inferior conditions.

Crampons

 Crampons give you the grip needed to walk across ice (or up ice as pictured to the left). They come in several forms, but I have only worn the strap-on crampons pictured to the right. They can be rented from REI, but sometimes they aren't even necessary.

 

Snowshoes

After a bit of investigation, the most popular snowshoe makers appear to be MSR, Atlas, Tubbs, Redfeather, and Crescent Moon. If I pick up a pair, they will be MSR Ascents. I need something with televators in case of hills. Televators are a small platform that makes snowshoeing up a hill more like walking up a flight of stairs.


The link below is a better guide than I could supply.

http://www.snowshoemag.com/first.cfm

http://www.sierratradingpost.com/lp2/snowshoes.html

Hiking Poles

I have hiked Mt. Adams without them twice. However, for the sake of stability and slowing yourself down while glissading, they are nice to have. I now own two pairs. Its nice to have a pair that will collapse down to a manageable size. Sticking long ski-poles onto your pack is not always the most

Sleeping Gear

Sleeping Bag / Pad / Tent / Bivvy Sack / Sleeping Bag Liner

My sleeping bag is a North Face Snowshoe rated to 0 degrees.

It provides plenty of protection from the elements, especially when I'm wearing my baselayer. If things get too cold, I will put on a hat and socks. However, that is a rare occurrence. I have considered making a sleeping bag liner out of fleece sometime in the future just to improve the performance of the bag in the cold. It would be nice, but unnecessary. Think about a buying a mummy bag like mine.

A sheet of egg carton padding works for a sleeping pad. It is light.

Another option is the Imperial Guard Snuggie (as seen on tv).

As far as tents go, I'm going to pick up a light, 3-season, 2-person tent. I would go with REI brand, Kelty, Black Diamond, Marmot, North Face, Mountain Hardware, etc. Its nice to have something simple that can be put up in the dark. The Marmot tent pictured (right) has only 2 poles, which makes it easy to setup. If you come mountain climbing with me, we'll talk tents and make sure everybody has a place to sleep. If we use larger tents, poles and other materials can be divided up amongst the group to inhabit the tent later on. A bivvy sack can be used instead of a tent to protect you from the elements, but they aren't necessary with a tent. Also, bears have easier access to your face.

Glissading Accessories

Glissading is the most efficient way to travel any mountain. Simply put, glissading is sledding down the mountain on your backside. I wear snow pants. Most everyone else jumps into a plastic garbage bag.

Glissading Down Mt. Adams

Glissading down Mt. St. Helens (The Wrath of Brendan)





Apparel (Hiking naked is for bears)

Underwear

Congratulations. You have reached the most racy section of this entire blog. Let me break the ice by illustrating a few examples of mountaineering undergarments that I will not explore.
You, however, are free to experiment.

The standard caveman loincloth is a longtime favorite for its excellent durability and proven track record as an outdoor baselayer / outerlayer / onlylayer. It was first created by God in the Garden of Eden because the fig leaves simply wouldn't cut it (not durable, easily eaten by animals in your sleep, coverage problems). Possible downsides to the loincloth include the possibility of chafing, allergies related to animal hair and dander, and the unfortunate smell that inhabits the material prior to being worn.

Verdict: Keep one tucked away for the apocalypse.

The Borat suspender mankini-thong is a gift from the continent we abandoned. The fabric wicks away moisture and provides unparalleled support. However, the support might actually cause lasting damage to reproductive facilities. Accessibility to the concealed areas is also made impossible, making waste disposal difficult at best. In addition, the Borat suspender mankini-thong sticks to your backside like hippie offspring to Subarus.

Verdict: I can't promise eye-contact if you decide to wear one.

The sumo diaper is a mainstay of Japanese athletics. It is light (relative to its contents), allows for exceptional range of motion and can be taken off simply by loosening a knot. The Japanese have ended the hassle of one-leg-at-a-time undergarment installation. However, they are practically reusable adult diapers and are bound to produce strange and uncomfortable bulges when worn under other clothing.

Verdict: You can make one out of a T-shirt out of desperation.

Every mountain I have ever climbed has been in cotton skivvies. Is that comfortable? Not always. I have considered converting to something that would be ideal for mountain climbing, traveling abroad and general hobo antics. After much research, I have decided to go with the ex-officio give-n-go brief. Tri-state in Moscow, Idaho sells these things...so they can't be all bad. I could get the boxers, but I hear they ride. If I wanted that, I would go with the Borat suspender mankini-thong. Do I like talking about underwear on the Internet? Not as much as some people, but it is necessary.

I forgot commando, but I think I'll leave that for another post.

Baselayer

After you put on your skivvies, the baselayer comes next. The baselayer's primary function is moisture control. If you start sweating, a fabric next to your skin that wicks away moisture is highly advantageous. Don't wear cotton. Don't wear cotton. Don't wear cotton. Wool, spandex, Lycra, synthetics, silk...YES!

I wear a pair of blue spandex long johns made by Hind and a long-sleeve Under Armour thermal shirt. This is also what I use for snowboarding. It is enough to keep me dry and provide that additional level of warmth. One thing that is very important is covering your skin to the wrists and ankles because mountain climbing is a good way to get horrific sunburns (voice of experience talking). A baselayer doesn't have to be as tight as everything pictured above, but it needs to wick moisture and keep the sun off your skin.

Outerwear

Currently, we're wearing underwear and a baselayer. This is when we need to consider layering.

Hows about I just make this simple and tell you what I pack?

1) Under Armor Baselayer
2) Coat (Water Repellent) I wear something made by Mountain Hardware.
3) Long-sleeve Running Shirt (In case the coat is unnecessary)
4) Sweater (In case the temperature drops a bit) You can bring a fleece or whatever. I'm low-tech.

That's really all I pack as far as upper-body clothing.
Sean usually wears a vest.
Brendan wears long-sleeve marathon shirts.
I should wear a burka.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Layered_clothing

Lower Layers

After my long, blue spandex baselayer, I wear a pear of acceptable hiking pants. I bought a pair that can be turned into shorts via a zipper above the knee. If I had to do it again, I would buy a pair that doesn't have pockets directly over the ventral side of my quadriceps. It rubs if I put my camera in there. Side pockets like cargo pants are a better way to go. That's what I get for buying North Face pants instead of going with my gut and buying Mountain Hardware (as Brendan shakes his head, disappointed in my lapse of discernment). I also pack my snowboarding pants. This is mostly for the glissading, but also just in case things turn exceptionally cold. I might also bring an extra pair of long-johns or some fleece sweatpants for the same reason. It might be overkill to wear spandex, pants, sweatpants, and snow pants...but hey...the extra weight doesn't break my back.

My first time up Adams, I wore jeans. The second time I wore running pants without the spandex. The third time I did it in my spandex with a pair of cotton/polyester plaid gray shorts from JCPenny. The moral of my story here is that you will be just fine if you don't wear "special pants" and "special shorts" with "special pockets" and "special buttons that undo the back so you can relieve yourself without dropping trou".

Footwear (Socks and Boots) 

Get two decent pairs of wool socks. You won't regret it. I suggest SmartWool or Wigwam socks. Wool is normally thought of as an itchy fabric, but the socks out there now don't have that problem. They usually cost about $20 a pair for decent socks, but if you are ever out in the cold, wool socks are the way to go. I wore two pairs of wool socks simultaneously for a WSU football game in 2010 and they were barely enough to keep me warm. Buy them. You can thank me later. 

These are my criteria for boots.

1) A Stiff Sole

2) High-cut

3) Waterproof

I ended up buying a pair of Hi-Tec Altitudes. $55. These boots met criteria #1 by not folding in half when I pushed the toe and heel together. They were firm and have remained as such. Stiffness is important because it keeps your foot from wrapping around every little boulder you step on and it provides a better platform for your cramp-ons. Criteria #2 was met when i tried them on and discovered my ankles didn't feel threatened. Criteria #3 wasn't tested until I was on the mountain. By the end of the day, my feet were wet. Fail. I'll buy some waterproofing spray before the next climb. Great success. If I wanted to pick up some nicer boots, these are the brands I would consider: Vasque, Merrell, and Scarpa. I might take a look at Salomon and La Sportiva as well.

Mt Adams doesn't require much...as illustrated below.

Also, God tends to protect us from ourselves, which is nice.

Headwear

Easy. I bring a beanie for the cold weather and a shemagh for the sun. I have also considered making a transition to the traditional Bavarian alpine hat or crocheting myself a ski mask.

Sean likes to wear a trucker hat.

Brendan uses the hood of his coat.

I will wear a bandana from time to time.

Handwear

This is my plan. Bring two pairs of gloves: one pair of thin, light gloves to keep the sun off my hands while hiking and one pair of snowboarding gloves in case of extreme cold and the inevitable glissading. Think about this ----------------------->

Do you want gloves now?

Sunglasses 

We'll probably stop at a gas station. You can pick some up then. I have worn aviators and sports sunglasses. It is really nice to have them. I wouldn't go up a mountain with all that glare from the snow without sunglasses.

Ski Goggles

Goggles are really nice to have when it starts snowing or things get windy and ice is trying to invade your eye parts. This is also something smart to bring along. I might even wear them in decent weather just to keep some of my skin covered. Actually...I think I'll go home, put on my shemagh, add the goggles, and see how it works. I have had the worst sunburns of my life climbing mountains, so fashion takes backseat to potential skin damage. Why do you think I named the blog SPF Infinity?

Gaiters

No ensemble is complete without gaiters. Gaiters keep debris from entering your boots and socks. For our purposes, they keep snow from entering your shoes when hiking and glissading. This is a lifesaver. I bought a pair of mountain hardware gaiters at REI. Outdoor Research (pictured at left) is a bit more expensive, but is very high quality.

When I work out on the farm, they keep weeds from getting into your socks, boots and jeans. I can wade through knee-high thistle with no problem and I never get my socks filled with cheat grass or dirt. Other farmers in the area use them as well. One farmer wears gaiters and shorts all summer long.

Resources

I found a blog post by someone else on mountaineering apparel that might be helpful.

http://blog.mountain-spirit-guides.com/?p=1126