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International Mountain Climbing School 2733 Main Street, Rt. 16 P.O. Box 1666 North Conway, NH 03860 PHONE: (603) 356-7064 FAX: (603) 356-6492 EMAIL: guides@ime-usa.com |
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| Winter Gear List for Day Trips | ||||||||||||
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| This is a list of gear you will need to participate in IMCS's winter day courses or guided climbs. Many of the items are absolutely necessary while others are useful options. Weather, duration of the course, current ground conditions, etc. all play a role in determining the gear you will need. Please give us a call if you have questions or concerns about the gear you will need for your climb. Also, check the following weather forecasts to get an idea about the most up to date conditions. | ||||||||||||
| We do have a limited supply of rental clothing. If you need a specific items of clothing let us know and we can put it on hold for you. For day climbs we provide boots, crampons, ice axe(s), harness, helmet and ropes. For an overnight trip we also provide tent, stove, food, fuel and sleeping bag as part of the course cost. | ||||||||||||
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| Clothing | ||||||||||||
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Long Underwear - First layer and the most basic item in the layering system. Bring a combination of different weights. Zip t-necks ventilate nicely. You want to be able to stack these layers if necessary. (no cotton) Polypropelene works best. | |||||||||||
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Insulated Pants - Full Side Zips make it much easier and faster to cool off or warm up. This serves as the outer layer on your legs when taking breaks or when hiking above tree line. | |||||||||||
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Insulated Jacket - More comfortable and functional than a wool sweater. Weight will depend on other items in your layering system. Large pockets are valuable. IMCS guides choice for this layer is the Wild Things Epic jacket manufactured right here in North Conway. |  |
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Shell Parka & Pants - These are your Gore-Tex (or equivalent) shells. Must fit comfortably over underwear and insulated layers. Pit zips are recommended. Pants should have side zips. Know how to adjust hood. | |||||||||||
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Expedition Parka - Valuable during a storm or on a summit day. Compression stuff sack reduces bulk and saves space in your pack. |  |
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Insulated or Fleece vest - Fits well over underwear top and under a jacket. Optional but useful. | |||||||||||
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Hats - Wool or fleece cap, neck gaiter and/or balaclava. Thin polypro balaclavas work surprisingly well. | |||||||||||
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Gloves / Mittens - Liner gloves, ski gloves, and expedition style mitten with shell. An extra pair of insulated gloves is a good idea for a longer trip or a wet day. | |||||||||||
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Goggles & Sunglasses - It's nice to be able to see where you're going. Store in a case or small stuff sack to prevent scratching. Keep clean. If you are going above tree-line you may want to bring 2 pairs of goggles in case one pair ices up. Large well ventilated ski goggles work best (the kind that go over glasses) . | |||||||||||
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Face Mask - Neoprene, great for Mt. Washington ascents where temperatures and winds can make for a severe arctic environment | |||||||||||
| Technical Gear | Top of Page | |||||||||||
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Ice Axe - 45-60cm for ice climbing and 60-80cm for mountaineering | |||||||||||
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Crampons - Flexible or rigid. Step-in binding works best. | |||||||||||
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Harness - Adjustable leg loops recommended for winter use | |||||||||||
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Snowshoes - Select a pair for your size and general use | |||||||||||
| Packs | ||||||||||||
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Alpine day pack - 2,500 - 3,500 cu. in. Used for day trips to Mt. Washington and ice climbing in Crawford Notch or Huntington Ravine. We recommend the Cold Cold World Valdez or Chernobyl. | |||||||||||
| Footwear | Top of Page | |||||||||||
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Double Plastic mountaineering boots - The goal is a comfortable, well-fitting boot to keep your feet warm and dry. Fit is also very important to reduce the occurrence of blisters or "boot bang". |
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Single Leather mountaineering boots - for early season and late season climbing before the temperatures get too cold or for technically demanding mixed routes. Generally easier to walk in than double plastics but not as warm. | |||||||||||
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Gaiters - Alpine-style or supergaiter. Historically, this is one of the most overlooked items by climbers taking our courses or going on our trips. Put some time into making sure you have gaiters that fit over your mountaineering boots properly. Check velcro, metal buckles and zippers. | |||||||||||
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Liner Socks - To wear under mountain socks. Polypropelene works best. Two pairs for day trips. | |||||||||||
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Mountain socks - Heavy wool or wool/synthetic blend; two for day trips. | |||||||||||
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VBL socks - vapor barrier liners. Optional. Keep socks and boots dry; work great when it's really cold; make feet smell. | |||||||||||
| Essential Personal Gear | ||||||||||||
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Headlamp With Extra Battery - If you don't bring it-you will surely need it. | |||||||||||
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Two Water Bottles & Water Bottle Parkas | |||||||||||
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Bandana (to wipe goggles or nose) |  |
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Lip Balm | |||||||||||
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1-2prs Chemical Hand/Foot Warmers | |||||||||||
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Sun Screen (SPF 15+) | |||||||||||
| Optional Personal Gear | ||||||||||||
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Camera | |||||||||||
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Trekking Poles | |||||||||||
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Thermos - for tea/hot chocolate | |||||||||||
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