Backpacking and Wilderness Skills Equipment List
Below is a complete list of all the equipment required for this course. Most items are clickable and will take you directly to our shop page, where you can view equipment that meets the course requirements. You may purchase items in advance, buy them on the day of the course, or rent them if rentals are available.
Link to a printable version with check-boxes: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1Nuk0uip-g-QyBKs3oxwRnZfES22N49vPUwO97OOMwW4/edit?usp=sharing
This list is designed as a “worst case scenario”, a trip with significant inclement weather. However, if a program does not encounter significant weather, there may be items here that are not used. As you prepare for your trip, it is important to plan for the worst and hope for the best.
On the first day of your program, an AAI Guide and Equipment Specialist will work with you to refine your mountain kit. They will ensure that you bring exactly what is needed. It is acceptable to bring too much clothing and equipment to your initial meeting. It is also fine to bring things that you may have questions about. Any extra equipment can be left behind at our Gear Shop for safekeeping.
The Cascade climbing season is defined as May 1st through October 1st. This list will reference early, mid, and late-season conditions. They are defined as follows:
Early Season: May 1 - July 1
There is usually significant snow both on the ground as well as on the glaciers. You should expect to encounter deep, wet snow during the day and firm conditions at night. Overnight temps range from 15° to 40°F (-9° to 4°C). Daytime highs range from 35° to 70°F (1° to 21°C). Precipitation as snow or rain can be likely.
Mid Season: July 1 - September 1
Temps range from 40° to 50°F at night with occasional dips below freezing. Daytime temps often reach 70°F. You should expect the possibility of freezing temps above 9000ft on summit days throughout the summer. Though mid-season tends to be dryer, the possibility of rain is always there.
Late Season: September 1 - October 1
September is a varied month. Temps begin to drop both during the day and at night. Late in the month, you may encounter an increase in snow and rain.
Please be sure to check the forecast several days before your course to ensure that you are properly prepared. You can view the weather here:
NOAA Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest Weekly Forecast
PROVIDED EQUIPMENT: Climbing rope, anchors, solid waste bags.
RENTALS: Equipment available for rent through the AAI Equipment Shop. These items can be rented on the first day of your course.
You can call or email the Equipment Shop for advice on gear.
shop@alpineinstitute.com
360-671-1570
Clothing
Wool or synthetic. Must fit under a helmet. Easily replaced with hooded layers after the early season.
Ideally fits under a helmet. Ball caps with a button on top are NOT recommended. Visors or athletic hats are more comfortable, vent better, and are easier to clean and dry out.
UPF-rated is highly recommended. Lighter colors are better for warm conditions and darker for colder conditions.
Preferably with UVA/UVB protection.
Bring extra batteries or charger for rechargeable battery style. Ideal range is 200-350 lumens.
Thin, lightweight, wool or synthetic gloves. Size to fit snug but not too tight. Phone-compatible fingertips and palm texture are nice to have. These could be worn alone in temps greater than 25°F when it is dry. UPF rated are ideal.
Waterproof and insulated. If the glove lacks insulation, size it to fit a liner glove inside. Mainly used in wet conditions, cold temps, or when not moving.
NOTE: April-May courses are often much colder and may require more heavily insulated gloves.
Sports Bra
Wool or synthetic. Comfort is key. Avoid bras with adjusters and clasps, as they could get
compressed by your pack straps.
A lightweight, wool or synthetic sun hoody is ideal. UPF 30+ sun protection is best. UPF
clothing works better than sunscreen.
Lightweight “gridded fleece” or lightweight synthetic insulated jacket. Hood preferred. Active insulation weight - 40g/m2. Heavier insulation weight - 60-80g/m2
A softshell jacket is considered an “action layer.” Its materials are designed to stretch and breathe while also maintaining wind and water resistance. This allows the user to leave this jacket on for a wide range of temps and conditions throughout the day without the hassle of constantly changing layers. Similar to windproof jackets, which are lightweight and packable, but lack the breathability and stretchy nature of the softshell. Windproof jackets are ideal for blocking wind and light precipitation during low output activities.
AKA the “puffy”. Down or synthetic. This piece is worn in cold conditions or when not moving. Hood preferred. If choosing down, water-resistant down treatment is preferred to help prevent matting and loss of insulating ability if the jacket gets wet.
Hardshell Jacket (Available to rent)
Non-insulated jacket with a waterproof and breathable membrane. Three-layer construction is recommended. It must have a hood, ideally helmet-compatible. When sizing, make sure it can fit over other layers. Ski jackets are discouraged because they are usually not waterproof and have heavy insulation.
Undergarments
Wool or synthetic. Long, compression-style undergarments can help reduce inner thigh
chafing.
Wool or synthetic. Bring 1 for early or late season. Optional for mid-season (depending on weather).
Thin, weather-resistant, breathable, and stretchy. You will wear these a majority of the time.
Non-insulated, waterproof, and breathable membrane. Full side zips are recommended.
Ideally has at least 1/4 length zipper from the bottom of the pant cuff in order to get pants on and off while wearing mountain boots. When sizing make sure it is able to fit over a base layer and soft shell pants. Insulated ski pants are strongly discouraged due to lack of waterproofness and heavy insulation.
Wool or synthetic socks that are at least mid-calf height.
Lightweight boots can be appropriate for early season programs (mid-June or earlier) when the weather forecast is cold and/or wet. By mid-season many opt for trail running shoes as they are lighter and dry out faster than traditional hiking boots. Be aware that trail running shoes do not offer as much support when traveling with heavy packs. A high stack shoe like a Hoka is not recommended.
Gaiters (Optional) (Available to rent)
Knee or calf height. Best used in early season conditions. Optional for mid and late season. Gaiters do help protect pants from crampon holes regardless of the season.
Trekking Poles (Available to rent)
1 is required, 2 are highly recommended. Poles help with balance while hiking with a heavy pack and increase security during stream crossings. They also decrease the pressure on your knees during steep descents. For early season, poles should have snow baskets.
Camping
Tent (Available to rent)
3 season tents can be used if the rain fly goes all the way to the ground on all sides. A
“bathtub” floor for the inner test is also recommended. This means that the inner tent has a water-resistant floor material that scoops up from the floor 4-12" before changing to mesh. If your tent does not have wind lines, an additional 6-10ft of 3mm accessory cord is needed for rigging your rainfly in a mountain environment. (You can rent a 4-season and it’s possible to share if you would like).
Early Season: Double wall 4-season tent recommended.
Mid Season: 4-season or 3-season tent.
Late Season: 4-season tent recommended.
For your sleeping bag. If it is a down bag, a waterproof compression sack is recommended.
Internal Frame Pack (Available to rent)
50L or more. Mountaineering specific packs, instead of backpacking packs, are a good way to shave weight. Should also have the ability to carry weight well (45 lbs+).
Sleeping Bag (Available to rent)
Synthetic or down. If you bring a synthetic bag, bring one on the lower end of the temp range since synthetic bags tend not to be as warm as down. If you sleep cold, bring a warmer bag than required. If choosing down, water-resistant down treatment is preferred to help prevent loss of insulating properties if the bag gets wet.
Early Season: 0° to 20°F (-18°to 6°C)
Mid Season: 20° to 30°F (-6° to -1°C)
Late Season: 15° to 20°F (-10° to -6°C)
Sleeping Pad (Available to rent)
Early Season: Bring 2. One inflatable and 1 closed-cell foam. The foam pad helps insulate
from the snow and serves as a backup to the inflatable pad.
Mid/Late Season: One inflatable pad or closed cell foam pad.
Stove & Fuel (Available to rent)
Liquid fuel or canister stove. Fuel is available at our Equipment Shop the morning of the
course.
NOTE: Many people choose to share stoves, fuel, and tents to decrease weight. However,
some people prefer to camp in their own tents and use their own stoves. This can be
determined on the morning of the first day of your program.
Bring 1 pot.
Early Season: Bring a bigger pot for melting snow, 1.5L to 2L
Mid/Late Season: 0.5L to 1L
NOTE: If you have a complete stove system like the Jetboil or MSR Reactor and plan on
eating out of your integrated pot, then you do not need to bring another pot.
Don’t forget the official “most forgotten item” - The spoon or spork. Long-handled spoons make stirring hot liquids safer and metal ones tend not to break as easily in cold temps.
Early Season: Bring a plastic bowl or mug, preferably with insulation
Mid/Late Season: Bring a plastic bowl, insulation not necessary
NOTE: If you have a Jetboil or MSR Reactor type stove and plan on eating out of your
integrated pot, then you don’t need to bring a bowl. The same applies if you plan on using commercially packaged dehydrated or freeze-dried meals.
Lighters
Bring 2.
You are responsible for your own food for the duration of the course. Please consult our meal planning page.
A 3L capacity is recommended, though some people need more. A common approach is to bring a 2-3L bladder and a 1L hard-sided bottle. The bottle is important as a backup to the bladder if it gets punctured. A hard-sided bottle may also double as a mug for hot water, though not every bottle is designed to hold boiling water. Drinking tubes must also have a lock on the bite valve.
Water purification of some form is required. The popular tabs that our guides use, Aquatabs, are available at the Equipment Shop the morning of the course. A water filter is highly recommended as well, as water tabs don't function in cold water. Steripens are an acceptable alternative to purification tablets.
NOTE: Pumps can be damaged by silt in the glacial water and can easily freeze at night and crack. However, many of our guides are finding success using some of the integrated
pump/bladders like the BeFree and Quickdraw
Other Essentials
Toothbrush & Toothpaste
Travel size recommended
Required. Used after going to the bathroom and before eating. Wet wipes can be used for the “mountain shower.”
Some form of being able to take notes is nice. A Write in the Rain notebook might be handy.
Toilet Paper
The provided solid waste bags have a small amount of toilet paper with them, but most people do not find this to be adequate. Estimate how much you’ll need for a program of this length and place that in a plastic zip-lock bag. An extra zip lock bag can be helpful for pack-out of used paper.
Pee Cloth (Optional)
A reusable, antimicrobial pee cloth, used in the place of toilet paper or wet wipes.
Pee funnels such as the GoGirl or Freshette.
At least an SPF of 30+, zinc-based is preferred. Small travel-size tubes are recommended so you can put them in a close-by pocket for easy access.
Make sure if is SPF Rated.
- Band aids
- Blister Treatment
- Prescription Drugs
- Ibuprofen, etc
- If you wear contacts, make sure you have spares if you can’t see without them
Repair Kit
- Inflatable sleeping pad patch kit
- Duct tape (can be wrapped around trekking pole or water bottle. Gorilla Tape tends to be the best brand for the mountains).
- Zip ties
- 6-10ft of 3mm accessory cord
- 2 trash bags that are big enough to line the inside of your pack with
Optional Items
These items are not required, although many are nice “luxury” items that can make your expedition more enjoyable. Remember that a few ounces here and there add up to extra pounds on your back and knees during your expedition.
Gaia Navigation App
Optional smartphone app. Please have the Mt. Baker (all aspects) maps downloaded prior to the start of your course.
Map and Compass
Map should be of Mt. Baker Area (Preferably Green Trails Maps #13SX). The compass must have a declination adjustment.
Altimeter Watch
If you have one then bring it. It is a great tool to have in the backcountry, especially for
navigation.
Entertainment
Books, games, cards, music player, kindle, etc. For evenings or rainy days in the tent.
Pee Bottle
Used at night or when the weather is poor so you don’t have to get out of your tent. A 32oz or larger capacity is strongly recommended. Many guides use a bladder instead of a bottle to increase capacity.
Portable Charging Device
Phone charger, battery pack, or solar panel. You are responsible for your alarm clock each morning. If you are going to use your phone, be sure you have enough power to
accommodate this.
Ear Plugs
For defense against snoring and high winds.
Insect Repellent
Biting insects such as mosquitoes and blackflies can be prevalent during different times of the season depending on conditions and location. This is a nice item to have just in case. Sometimes even a headnet is a nice item to have.
Camera
Phone cameras or small point-and-shoot cameras are preferred. SLR cameras are not
recommended due to their size and bulk.
Comfortable Clothing and Footwear
Breathable footwear - like flip flops - as well as some comfortable cotton clothing can be nice to change into after you get back to the van.
Car Charger
Consider bringing an extra battery pack as well, having a lot of people using car charger cables is difficult.
Ice Axe, Helmet, Crampons (Available to Rent)
Dependent on the time of year and location chosen to run the program. Some trails cross snowfields and the use of an ice axe, helmet, and crampons may be required. This equipment can be rented from our shop the morning of your first day.