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.