CLOTHING
(This you must provide)
Developing a clothing list was getting pretty difficult
with all the choices out there, soft-shells, hard-shells, soft-shells
with and without windstopper, light or heavier hard-shells, many
combinations can be made to work. I didn't want to have a list of
gear that was so specific that people climbing with me got the impression
they needed a whole new wardrobe or a list so generic that it was
useless.
When I think
of a clothing system that I use day to day, I think of a three
part system. First is a next to skin layer that will wick moisture
away. Second is an insulation layer that will resist losing its
insulation properties when it gets damp. Third is a wind and moisture
proof yet breathable exterior. This third layer may need to be
actually waterproof at times, but to be honest that is rare in
a New England winter. Once this three layer system is in place,
you can add what people call a belay jacket which is an insulated
over jacket, and even insulated over pants for times when more
warmth is needed for a short period.. Then there are the accessories
such as hats, gloves, and socks etc.
So the best
way for me to illustrate this systematic approach is to list what
I wear and carry. Now for full disclosure, I am not sponsored
by any companies but I do receive a few pieces of free gear through
the AMGA that is given to those of us that instruct guide courses.
I also receive discounts from most manufactures and distributors
that are afforded to professionals. The bottom line is I use gear
from a wide variety of companies and do not have a contract to
wear or push any specific company.
Here is the
list:
Patagonia
Capilene 2 Long Sleeve Crew Neck
Patagonia
Capilene 3 Bottoms
Patagonia
Capilene 4 Zip T-Neck
Patagonia
Backcountry Guide Pants
Marmot
Super Hero Jacket
Patagonia
Heavyweight Mountaineering Sock
Patagonia
Big Mountain Beanie
Patagonia
Neck Gaiter
Mountain
Hardware Jalapeno Glove
Julbo
Goggles (a must for Mount Washington climbs only)
Petzl
Headlamp
Winter
Day Pack
Water
Bottle or Thermos
In my Cold
Cold World Valdez Pack I carry an extra hat, neck gaiter and
Patagonia
Micro Puff Pants. I also bring a butt pack similar to this
that I can climb with so I can leave the big pack at the base,
in the butt pack I have an extra pair of gloves along with Patagonia
Micro Puff Jacket and a 1/2 liter of Gatorade. For
boots I wear the La
Sportiva Nepal Evo Gtx along with the Petzl
Dart Lever Lock Crampon and my climbing tools are Petzl
Quark Ice Hammers.
If it is
going to be a cold day I may add a polartec
vest like this and go to a Patagonia
Capilene 4 Bottoms to replace the Capilene 3 pair I mention
above. If I think it will be particularly wet or a high wind day
on Mount Washington I bring along an Marmot
Precip Rain Jacket and the Marmot
Precip Full
Zip Pants. I have not been using boot gaiters but if I feel
I will need the wind pants I wear Gaitors
like these because wind/rain pants can catch crampons easily
so I can protect the pants from cramponing and avoid the tripping
hazard that can cause.
As I said
above there are many systems, I hope you find this helpful in
deciding how to build and manage yours.
Equipment
List