Beginning Rock Climbing Equipment List
Below you will find listed every piece of equipment you will need for this course. Most of the items can be clicked on and will bring you to our shop page. Here you can find equipment suitable to the course requirements. You can either purchase the items before the first day of your course and pick them up , or rent them day-of.
Link to a printable version with check-boxes: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1TevC8C3_qN8f9PwM941fhNxkYE4hkgRQ1LPoYETtajs/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.
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.
Thin, weather-resistant, breathable, and stretchy. You will wear these a majority of the time.
Hard Shell Pants (Available to rent)
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. Modern boots are designed to insulate your feet, so a thicker sock is not recommended as these tend to lead to blisters and moisture retention. Using a lighter sock allows for a more accurate boot fit. Wearing a “silk-weight” liner sock beneath your hiking sock can reduce friction on the skin and mitigate blister development.
Approach Shoes or Trail Shoes (Optional)
Recommended for the 1-day of rock climbing. Used on good weather approaches for mid and late season and at camp. Early season tends to have too much snow on the ground and it is recommended to hike to camp in your boots. Be aware that trail running shoes do not offer as much support when hiking with a heavy pack. High stack shoes like Hoka are not recommended.
Climbing
Helmet (Available to rent)
Must be UIAA-rated for climbing. Be aware that foam, break-away style helmets like the ones listed below are susceptible to damage if being loaded in a checked bag.
Harness (Available to rent)
Make sure the harness has a belay loop and gear loops. When sizing, it should fit over your clothes when you have multiple layers on. A more robust harness is ideal for this course.
Bring one 48in (120cm) and one 24in (60cm) pre-sewn sling. Slings must be UIAA-rated for climbing.
Bring an auto-blocking device that accepts 2 ropes.
Cordelette
A 180cm-240cm length sling or 18-24 feet of 6mm accessory cord can be used as a cordelette.
Must be UIAA-rated for climbing. Must have:
- 4 large pear-shaped munter-style locking carabiners
- 5 non-locking wire gate carabiners
Strongly recommended but not required. For belaying.
Rock Shoes (Available to rent)
Focus on comfort so they can be worn all day. Avoid technical or aggressive rock shoes with a downturn. Avoid curled toes when sizing. If you decide not to rent or bring climbing shoes for our day of rock climbing, it is often possible to climb in your approach shoes. If you plan on continuing on to Alpinism 2 or AMTL 2, purchasing comfortable, flat-lasted rock shoes that can be worn for long periods are recommended.
Lightweight and breathable glove with a durable leather palm. They protect your hands from rope burn, pinching, and sharp elements.
A 25L to 35L is an ideal size. This will be used during rock climbing and can also be used as a summit pack. Ideally, this pack is frameless so that it can be packed inside your larger pack if you decide to bring it on the mountain.
Trekking Poles (Available to rent)
Two 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.
Rock Climbing Rack (Optional)
If you have it then bring it. Make sure and mark your gear so it doesn’t get mixed up.
Nailpolish is the best way to permanently mark your gear, tape is strongly discouraged as it tends to fall off and become trash.
Chalk Bag and Chalk (Optioal)
Nice to have for hot days.
Crack Gloves (Optional)
More environmentally friendly than using tape.
Camping
Tent (Available to rent)
3 season tents are appropriate for this course’s camp locations.
Sleeping Bag (Available to rent)
Synthetic or Down. 20°F to 30°F (-6°C to -1°C) is an appropriate temperature rating for this course's camp location.
Sleeping Pad (Available to rent)
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 0.5L to 2L pot depending on what you are planning to cook.
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.
Bring 1.
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.
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.
You are responsible for your own food for the duration of the course. Please consult our meal planning page. You should arrive on the first morning of your course with at least 4 days of frontcountry food.
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.”
Alarm Clock
You will be responsible for waking up at certain times throughout the program. While your guide can sometimes be your alarm, there are often situations where tents are far apart. Be sure if you use your phone as an alarm that you have enough backup battery to accommodate for this. If you plan to use a watch, be sure your alarm is loud enough to work for you.
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. If you plan to use wet wipes, be wary of scented or exfoliating types as these can be an irritant for some people.
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.
Menstrual Cup (Optional)
There are many things to consider about backcountry menstruation, click on the link for more information.
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
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.
Optional Items
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.
Entertainment
Books, games, cards, music player, kindle, etc. For evenings or rainy days in the tent.
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.