Gear for Climbing Mt. Rainier
Upper Body Layers
Equipment Description/ Comments Example
[  ] Wicking T-shirt Light in color for hot days. Outdoor Research: Sequence T-shirt
[  ] Active sports bra or top (for women) A synthetic top designed for athletic activities. Bear in mind that tents may not be gender exclusive, so a modest top is recommended. Personal preference.
[  ] 2 Long Sleeve Base layers Light synthetic long-sleeved shirt. One may be replaced by the short-sleeved shirt weather permitting. Outdoor Research: Sequence Long Sleeve; Sodo button-up (this is what our guides wear)
[  ] Thin fleece insulating layer This can be a 100 or 200 weight fleece or expedition weight top. This layer may be eliminated based on weather conditions. Outdoor Research: Spector Pull-over
[  ] *Soft-shell jacket. Like the soft-shell pants this layer is really important. You'll spend a lot of time in this layer. Fleece is acceptable but not ideal. Outdoor Research: Mithril Softshell (this is what our guides wear)
[  ] *Insulated parka w/ attached hood Either a down or synthetic puffy jacket. A mid-weight parka works best; it doesn't have to be huge. It should fit over all your other layers. Outdoor Research: Chaos Jacket (this is what our guides wear)
[  ] *Waterproof/breathable storm shell jacket with hood Gore-Tex or equivalent material. This should be a simple shell, not a heavy ski jacket. If the weather is good, this layer probably won't even leave your pack, so make it LIGHT!

Outdoor Research: Foray Pants (this is what our guides wear)
Lower Body Layers
Equipment Description/ Comments Example
[  ] Synthetic boxers or briefs We try to avoid all cotton in our layering system since it does not insulate if wet. Underwear should be synthetic material. Personal preference.
[  ] Baselayer bottoms Light to mid-weight synthetic long underwear bottoms. Patagonia: Capilene 1 or 2
[  ] Soft-shell Climbing Pants You will wear these everyday of your climb. If there's one thing you purchase for your climb this should be it. Non-insulated Schoeller-type fabric. Outdoor Research: Contour or Exos Pant (both are what our guides wear)
[  ] *Waterproof/ breathable storm shell pants Gore-Tex or equivalent material. These pants MUST have FULL side-zips. This will allow you to put on the pants without taking off your crampons and boots. Outdoor Research Foray Jacket (this is what our guides wear)
[  ] Light synthetic shorts or pants If the weather is nice, a light pair of synthetic shorts are great for the approach hike. Zip off nylon hiking pants work well too.

Optional
Miscellaneous Clothing
Equipment Description/ Comments Example
[  ] Wool or fleece hat. Hat should cover your ears. We recommend Wapiti Woolie hats: www.wapitiwoolies.com
[  ] Neck gaiter, Buff, or balaclava Synthetic/ fleece. This will protect your neck and face in stormy weather. A lightweight balaclava fits best under a helmet. Outdoor Research: Option Balaclava
[  ] Sun hat and bandanna Baseball hat or other wide brimmed hat to protect your face and neck. A bandana will help cover your ears and neck Outdoor Research: Sun Runner Hat (this is what our guides wear)
[  ] Light liner gloves Light-weight pair of synthetic gloves. Not a fingerless glove. These will be used a lot for traveling on glaciers at lower elevations. Outdoor Research: PL 150 Glove
[  ] Mid-weight Glove These do not have to be heavily insulated. It is nice is they are wind-resistant or wind-proof. A soft-shell glove works great. You will wear these gloves while climbing at higher elevations. Outdoor Research: Storm Tracker Glove (this is what our guides wear)
[  ] *Heavy insulated gloves or mittens A Gore-Tex glove/mitten with removable liner works best. You will wear these if it gets really cold, while hanging out at camp and the summit or if your other gloved get wet. **Mittens required early season and if weather requires.

Outdoor Research: Alti-Gloves or Alti-Mitts (both are what our guides wear)
Sleeping Gear
Equipment Description/ Comments Example
[  ] *Sleeping bag Should have a comfort rating between 15° and 0°F. There is no need for anything warmer than a 0° bag. Down or synthetic is appropriate. If you choose down, it is nice for the shell material to be Gore-Tex or equivalent. A compression stuff sack helps to fit the bag in the bottom of your pack. Mountain Hardwear: Phantom +15 Bag
[  ] *Sleeping pad We recommend an inflatable, full length pad. Closed cell foam pads work too. For the three day climb only, 2 Ridgerest pads are provided for each person at both camps at no charge. Other routes must bring their own pads.

Cascade Designs: Prolite 4
Footwear
Equipment Description/ Comments Example
[  ] * Plastic double-boots Warm, insulated mountaineering boots with stiff soles designed to be used with crampons. There are also insulated leather boots that are acceptable, especially for climbs scheduled later in the summer. Please see our detailed discussion on boots for Rainier in the Rainier FAQ Â» If you are unsure about your footwear contact us: Asolo: Evoluzione. Tip: Use aftermarket insoles to improve the fit of your boot. Superfeet work great!
[  ] 2-3 pairs of climbing socks Thick wool or wool-synthetic blends work best. No cotton! You might also want to bring a pair of thin synthetic liner socks to help prevent blisters. Smartwool: Mountaineer Sock
[  ] Gaiters Make sure they are large enough to fit over your plastic boots. They should reach to just below your knees. Outdoor Research: Crocodiles (this is what our guides wear)
[  ] Trail Shoes Optional for late season (mid-Aug - September). Carry boots to Pebble Creek the first two miles up and down to save wear and tear on feet.

Comfy running shoes or light hikers.
Climbing Gear
Equipment Description/ Comments Example
[  ] *Internal frame backpack Large backpack, in the 80 liter or 5000 cu. in. range. Make sure it fits well with weight and expect to carry at least 40 pounds. Lowe Alpine: TFX Summit 65 +15
[  ] *Ice axe To size your axe: while holding it down at you side, the bottom of the axe should reach to about your ankle bone. Petzl Snowalker
[  ] *Crampons 10 or 12 point. Make sure they are adjusted to your boots before your climb begins. Petzl Vasak FL
[  ] *Trekking poles Collapsible poles work best. Not required but HIGHLY recommended. Petzl Compact ST
[  ] *Helmet Helmet that meets industry standards Black Diamond Half Dome
[  ] *Harness Harness that meets industry standards

Black Diamond Vario Speed
Miscellaneous Personal Equipment
Equipment Description/ Comments Example
[  ] *Glacier glasses or sunglasses Glacier glasses are specifically designed to protect your eyes from the intense UV radiation that reflects off snowfields and glaciers. They have dark lenses and side shields to keep UV rays out of your eyes. Julbo: Dirt (this is what our guides wear)
[  ] *Goggles (optional) The use of goggles is dependent on the weather forecast. High winds or extreme cold mean goggles are mandatory. Bring them if you have them; be prepared to rent them if you don't. Also, if you wear prescription glasses, dark goggles can be worn over your glasses instead of glacier glasses. Smith: Knowledge OTG
[  ] 2 Water bottles Wide mouth, Lexan 1-liter water bottles with your initials written on them in indelible ink. Nalgene: Wide Mouth 1 Liter
[  ] Plastic bowl, drinking mug and utensils Tupperware or Lexan bowls work well. Lexan spoons work best. A 12 or 20 oz. plastic insulated mug is nice for hot drinks. You can also simply use your bowl as a mug or your mug as a bowl and save weight that way. GSI: Lexan Bowl
[  ] *LED Headlamp w/ extra batteries Make sure your headlamp has a full elastic strap so that you can put it on your helmet. Use a fresh set of batteries. Bring at least one extra set of batteries. Petzl Tikka XP
[  ] Sunscreen and lip balm (with sunscreen) Spf 30 or higher. It's nice to tape your lip balm to a cord and wear it around your neck for easy access. 2oz of sunscreen for 3 days is plenty. Dermatone: SPF 36 with Z-Cote
[  ] 2 large garbage bags The thicker the better. Trash compactor bags work great. You will line your pack with these to keep your gear dry. You can also use one to cover your pack for the night if it is wet out. They can also be used to protect your pants while glissading.
[  ] First-Aid kit Our guides carry full first aid kits, so make yours light. Moleskin, band-aids, aspirin, ibuprofen, personal medications, antacids, small roll of duct tape. Check out Adventure Medical Kits
[  ] Toiletries Keep it to the necessities. Toothbrush, travel size toothpaste, small roll of toilet paper in a plastic bag, foam earplugs. Leave the deodorant, perfume and make-up at home!
[  ] Iodine tablets We recommend all unboiled water be treated. Boiled water will be provided for meals and hot drinks at camp. We will melt snow for drinking water at camp, but we do not boil it. Potable Aqua: Iodine Tablets
[  ] Lunch/Trail Food Snickers, cookies, summer sausage, cold pizza, burritos, meat and cheese wraps, trail mix/ GORP, dried fruit. Anything that has lots of calories tastes good and is easy to eat. Energy bars and Gu are good, but make sure they are appetizing to you. Bring 1,000- 1,500 Calories/day. Click here to read about some guide favorites Â»
[  ] Drink Mix (optional) Drink mix is nice to replenish electrolytes and make water yummy. (Prepackage in plastic bags that will make 1 liter at half strength.)

 

Special Notes For Particular Climbs
Climb Equipment Description
4-Day Emmons Glacier Climb • Bring a total of 3 pairs of socks.

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