Winter kit list
Our suggested kit for for winter skills courses and guided winter mountain walks
Essentials
Winter boots - Stiff soles (B2/B3). Click here for winter boot selection tutorial.
Rucksack - Minimum 40ltr with ice axe attachment. Remember that you'll need space for a helmet and crampons!
Dry bags / bin bags - A rubble sack or dry bags do a great job of keeping your kit dry. We recommend.
Ice axe - We can provide. Click here for ice axe tutorial.
Crampons - We can provide. Click here for crampon tutorial.
Helmet - We can provide.
Gaiters - Great to prevent snow filling your boots.
Ski goggles
Sunglasses
Headtorch - With new batteries and spares or take 2.
Whistle - To draw attention in an emergency.
Sun block - High factor 30+ plus lip balm.
Waterproof jacket - Waterproof with in build hood.
Waterproof over trousers - Preferably with full length zips so they can easily be taken on and off.
Extra warm layer - A large synthetic (not down) jacket with a hood is a great option to pull over everything. Or spare warm fleece or jacket that can go under your waterproof.
Walking trousers - Quick drying walking trousers, not denim.
Mid layering - Warm fleece.
Thermal layers - Tops and bottoms. We recommend merino type layers, no cotton!
Socks - Warm winter woollen socks.
Gloves - Take a few pairs as they will get wet. A spare pair of mitts are great at retaining warmth. Hand warmers are a nice optional extra!
Hats - No bobble hats! A buff is also useful.
Food - Enough for a day on the hills, you will burn a lot of calories so additional snack bars are good too.
Drink - At least a litre. A hot flask is great for winter. No bladders as drinking straws can freeze.
Personal items - Anything you would normally take with you for a day in the hills: toiletries, phone, binoculars, camera etc
Optional
Emergency survival blanket - We recommend.
Map - Waterproof case your map isn’t already waterproof. We recommend.
Compass - We recommend.
Snow shovel - For shelter building (we will give advice on this)
Foldable sit mat - Good insulation if sat on snow.
GPS - Instruction on their use and limitations can be given
Watch
Walking poles - Recommended but not essential
Personal First Aid - We recommend.
Waterproof case for mobile phone - We recommend.