Mountain climbing is an amazing sport and a great way to enrich your life, but getting all the gear for it can be confusing. I wrote this article to outline every piece of gear you need to climb a mountain!

So, what equipment do you need to bring mountain climbing? The gear you need to bring mountain climbing includes:

• Proper footwear
• Hiking Poles
• A Pack
• Proper Clothing
• Food and Water
• Navigation Equipment
• A Headlamp
• Emergency Supplies

The eight items listed above are the pieces of gear that I bring with me on every single mountain that I climb, no matter what the difficulty or length of it. They help to keep me safe and comfortable, and ensure that I’ll make it back to my car unscathed (for the most part). In addition to this gear, there are some other pieces that you may want to bring such as camping gear (depending on how long the trip is) or technical climbing gear (depending on how difficult the mountain is).

Mountain Climbing Gear Checklist

If you’re wanting to climb a mountain but don’t know what to bring, look no further! Below is my complete list of the gear you’ll need to make it to the summit:

This list is comprised of the equipment that I’ve used over ten years of summiting mountains in the Canadian Rockies and around the world. As you can see, it’s broken up into four different categories:

• Essential Equipment: This is the stuff that I bring with me every time I go. In fact, this gear is so important that I keep it in my backpack at all times. The one time I forgot to bring some of these pieces of equipment, I had to get helicopter lifted off the peak I was attempting.
• Non-essential Equipment: These are pieces of equipment that you can chose to bring with you. Your choice to do so will depend on how difficult the mountain that you’re climbing is and your own personal decisions.
• Rock climbing Equipment: To climb certain mountains, you need to rock climb — the art of pulling yourself up cliff faces using your fingers and toes. To do this safely, it’s important that you bring the right gear with you.
• Alpinism Equipment: Alpinism is mountain climbing when there’s snow and ice involved. To cross these obstacles safely, you need certain pieces of gear that allow you to do so. You should only climb alpine peaks if you have the skills and training necessary!

So, those are the four buckets that I’ve broken my gear down into. As I said, which bucket you use mostly depends on the mountain that you’re climbing.

For example, only a few days before I wrote this article, a friend and I climbed to the top of a mountain so that we could see the sunrise. It was a short, non-technical climb, so I didn’t need to bring any of the rock climbing or alpinism gear (I did bring my camera, though!).

If I’m summiting a mountain that’s farther into the wilderness, though, I’ll bring my camping gear with me so that I can stay overnight. Other times I’m not planning to stay overnight but I still want a warm meal, so I’ll bring my stove. The gear that I choose really depends on which mountain I’m going to climb.

To know what equipment you need to bring, I would consult with guidebooks and trip reports so that you can get an idea of the gear you need to bring! If it’s a relatively straightforward climb, you probably only need the ‘essential’ equipment. If it’s longer or more technical, however, consider looking at some of the other gear!

Essential Equipment Checklist

Now that we’ve gone over the gear and understand mountain climbing a little bit better, let’s go over the essential equipment — stuff that you bring with you every time you climb a mountain.

Proper Footwear

The right footwear is potentially the most important piece of gear that you can bring. Nothing is worse than having to walk for hours on end with sore or blistered feet, so make sure that you pack the right shoe for the job.

Personally, I prefer a pair of medium-ankled hiking boots to get the job done for me. They’re sturdy enough for bushwhacking, are comfortable on my feet, and provide support so that I don’t twist an ankle when I stumble. If I’m climbing a mountain that has technical scrambling elements, I might switch to a pair of approach boots so that my footwork is a little better.

However, boots aren’t for everyone! In the Rockies where I climb, I often have to contend with lots of scree and uneven terrain, where boots are good. For lots of people, though, they might be overkill.

Boots are heavy, which can tire you out extremely quickly. Because of that, many people have been making the switch to hiking shoes, approach shoes, or even trail runners. These are lighter than boots are, so walking will be easier. They also keep your feet cooler.

The best way to get the right pair of footwear is to go into an outdoor apparel store like REI and talk to the staff. Tell them what you’re looking at getting into (you can even mention a specific mountain by name), and they should be able to help you find the right shoe!

Hiking Poles

Not everyone uses hiking poles, but I’ve come to love them so much that I consider them to be essential gear. I’m aware that they make me look like a 60-year-old man, but the benefit they provide outweigh any potential damage that they may do to my ego.

Hiking poles serve two main purposes:

• They help you keep your balance: On steep terrain, narrow ridges, and river crossings, the hiking poles act as a third and fourth point of balance to help you stay on your feet. More than once I’ve been saved from falling by my poles!
• They make you less tired: Hiking poles do wonders for your stamina by taking some of the load off of your legs, especially when you’re descending. They also protect your knees from wear and tear.

I personally use these Black Diamond collapsible poles and I’ve had nothing but good experiences.

A Comfortable Pack

Next to your boots, a good pack is probably the best thing that you can invest your money in for mountain climbing. You’ll have to wear it for up to 12 hours on end, carrying 20+ pounds of gear, so it’s important that you get one that’s comfortable.

It’s essential that you get a backpack with proper hip straps, to that the load off of your shoulders when you’re hiking. Other handy features include a pouch for your hydration package, exterior pockets (for storing stuff like rain gear), and a waterproof cover.

In terms of size, I think 30-40 litres is the perfect amount of storage for a mountain climbing backpack. If you plan on doing overnight trips you might want something a little bigger (50 litres), whereas if you care about speed, you can get away with something as small as 20.

Personally, the Gregory Zulu 40 has served me well for 5 years and over 40 trips.

Clothing

It’s essential that you wear the right clothing while mountain climbing. It will increase your comfort, protect you from the sun, and stop you from overheating/freezing. Clothing can be broken down into different categories:

Socks

Merino wool socks are a staple within the hiking community. They stop your feet from sweating and will help to prevent blisters.

Pro tip: try on your hiking shoes/boots wearing the same pair of socks that you’ll wear hiking, to ensure the most accurate fit.

Pants

I personally recommend wearing pants instead of shorts, because they protect my legs from scratches and help keep me warm when necessary (side note: some people use zip-off pants that convert to shorts. I do not recommend these in the slightest, because they look dumb and feel uncomfortable. I will die of heatstroke before I wear a pair of zip-off pants).

I would recommend buying a good pair of water-wicking, fast-dry pants that give you a full range of mobility. DO NOT buy anything that’s waterproof, though! They will cause you to sweat an insane amount. Lightweight and breathable is the way to go — and whatever you do, don’t wear jeans. Jeans are heavy, inflexible, and will remain damp for days if you get them wet.

Torso

Layering is important for mountain climbing. Personally, I would recommend wearing:

• A t-shirt: Anything light or breathable will do. I’ve recently started using Patagonia’s Capilene Cool technology, and I want to be buried while wearing one of these shirts.
• A light sweater: It should be warm enough to protect you from the wind and cold, but not so warm that you can’t walk uphill in it.
• A warm sweater or jacket: This is for when you stop moving. A solid down jacket is preferred, but those are expensive; a good fleece will do in a pinch.

Head

Protect your head! A good had will keep both the sun and the rain out of your face, so I always make sure to pack one with me. I also recommend bringing sunglasses to shield your eyes.  

Water and Food

Running out of water or food is one of the easiest ways to suffer serious injury or death while climbing a mountain. I actually used up all of my food last year on an overnight expedition, and let me tell you: there’s few things scarier than being stuck 20 kilometres in the backcountry without anything to eat.

Finishing your water is an even scarier proposition, because your body can hardly function without it. To make matters worse, most mountains aren’t going to have anywhere for you to refill, so you need to carry all of your supplies with you.

Personally, I always bring:

• 1 litre of water per 2 hours of walking that I plan to do (max 4 litres)
• One more meal than I plan to need to eat
• 6-8 spare protein bars, just in case.

The idea is to bring more food and water than you expect to use, as this will prevent you from running out.

Navigation Equipment

As someone who recently got helicopter rescued off of a mountain after getting lost and finding myself in some very sketchy terrain, I can attest first-hand to how important it is to bring navigational gear along.

This category can include a few different items:

• A map and compass: these are handy to have, but they’re also difficult to use and require lots of practice.
• A GPS: GPS’s can show you where you are at any given moment. You can also pre-load them with maps and trails to always see where you need to go.
• Your phone: More and more, cell phones are becoming a viable option for navigation, using apps like AllTrails. Watch out for how much it will drain your battery life, though!

Whatever you choose to bring, it’s important that you never go mountain climbing without bringing some form of navigation along with you. In addition, you should read trip reports beforehand so that you know what to expect when you’re on the trail!

A Headlamp

If I had to pick one piece of gear that people don’t bring but should, it would be a headlamp. Headlamps are invaluable for when it gets dark and you need to navigate on your way.

Even if you don’t expect to have to walk in the dark, I would suggest bringing a headlamp in case something goes wrong and you get delayed. A couple of years ago, my friend and I both forgot our headlamps while 4000 feet deep in the Grand Canyon, and we had to stumble our way back to the car via moonlight.  

Additionally, headlamps are both affordable (about $40 for a decent one) and very, very packable, so there’s no excuse to not throw one in your bag when you go mountain climbing.

Emergency Supplies

Finally, when mountain climbing, you should always bring along a bag of emergency supplies with you. These are items that you hope you won’t have to use, but can get you out of a pinch if you find yourself in one. My emergency bag, that I carry with me every time I go into the wilderness, includes:

• An emergency beacon: I personally carry the SPOT Gen 3 on me. If something goes wrong, I can be airlifted from my location within 3 hours, anywhere in the world.
• Spare batteries: For the beacon, my headlamp, and any GPS that I might be carrying.
• Matches and fire starters: The ability to have a fire can be the difference between life and death in an emergency scenario.
• First aid kit: I always have painkillers, bandages, antiseptic swabs, and moleskin with me.

You should tailor your emergency kit towards your own specific needs. If you have asthma or allergies, consider packing some spare medication in your bag. If you’re hiking in cold or wet climates, and emergency blanket could be a great investment. Know where you’re going and back accordingly!

Non-Essential Equipment

With all of the essential gear covered, let’s move onto the non-essential pieces of gear that you might need or want to have with you when you go mountain climbing. While not the equipment that you have to bring every time you go out, this stuff is still extremely useful, and can go a long way in making your trip more comfortable.

A Camera

Although I consider a camera to be optional, lots of people see it as essential gear! Part of the fun of mountain climbing is being able to take in the beauty of nature, and a camera ensures that you get to keep these memories forever!

Now, most people have phones that will serve them just fine for taking pictures (that’s what I use). If you’re going to bring a larger camera, like a DSLR, I have some suggestions:

• Bring a spare lens cap: I once dropped my lens cap while on a sunrise hike and had to spend about 20 minutes looking for it in the dark.
• Make sure your battery is fully charged: Nothing is worse than getting to the summit and finding that you used all of your power already.
• Go for a wide FOV lens: Summit views can get pretty spectacular, and you want to make sure that you’re able to capture them in every direction!

Rain Gear

I thought long and hard about whether or not I should put rain gear — waterproof clothing that keeps you dry— in the in essential gear pile or not. Eventually, I decided not to, for the simple reason that not everyone needs to carry rain gear every time they go mountain climbing.

For example, if you live in a dry climate or an area with predictable weather patterns, you most likely don’t have to bring your rain gear with you all the time. If you’re bagging summits in the Pacific North West, though, it’s a good idea to bring along.

Personally, I always carry at least a rain jacket, because weather in the mountains can change quickly. However, you should use your own personal experience and knowledge of the area you’re hiking in to make a decision as to whether or not you need to bring your own!  

Water Filtration Device

Remember when I talked about how bad it can be to run out of water? Bringing along some kind of filtration device can prevent that from ever happening by allowing you to fill up your water bottle whenever you reach a stream or river.

There are three main ways to do this:

• Filters: Hand-pumped filters will sort any sediment, bacteria, and parasites out of your water. They’ll give you the cleanest water to drink, but they don’t take care of viruses. If you’re looking to go lightweight, check out the LifeStraw!
• Tablets: Iodine tablets that you place in your water will kill viruses, bacteria, and parasites. However, they don’t remove sediment, take about half an hour to work, and they can leave a funny taste in the water.
• SteriPen: This funky little device uses UV light to kill bacteria, viruses, and parasites in less than a minute without leaving any aftertaste. They don’t clear our sediment from the water, though.

Personally, I use a SteriPen for most of my climbs, and combine it with a LifeStraw if I’m concerned about the water not being clear enough.

Water filtration devices are super useful, but only if you’re sure there will be sources of water on the hike. Do your research beforehand so that you’re not carrying dead weight on your mountain.

A Stove

A warm meal can do wonders to lift your spirits. Whether you’re camping overnight or simply want a hot lunch, bringing along a stove to heat up some food can be a great idea on long mountain climbing days.

JetBoil stoves are the lightest and best performing of the bunch.

Camping Supplies

Sometimes to climb a mountain, you need to sleep overnight either at the base or partway up. To do so, you’ll want to bring along camping supplies such as:

• A tent: A lightweight tent will go a long way in keeping your warm and dry overnight. If you’re really adventurous or you want to shed weight, consider investing in a hammock instead!
• Inflatable air mattress: Sleeping on the cold, hard ground is a miserable experience. Getting yourself an inflatable pad will ensure you’re well-rested to send the next day!
• Sleeping Bag: A down sleeping bag can be packed up to a fairly small size and will keep you warm even if the temperatures drop below freezing.

If your mountain requires anything longer than a day trip, I would highly suggest bringing this gear along!

A Knife/Multitool

Having a knife or multitool along with you can be hand in so many different scenarios, such as needing to fix equipment, build a shelter, or even just cut a piece of string.

There are hundreds of articles out there about the best knife for mountain climbing, so I’m not going to weigh in too much on the subject. I would say bring whatever you think is right for you; personally, I always carry a small knife with me, and for longer trips I upgrade to a multitool in case I need to fix any of my gear.

Water Shoes

If your mountain requires any river crossings on it, having a pair of water shoes can be a great way to prevent your boots from getting wet.

Really, any shoe can function as a water shoe, so you might not need to buy something specifically for this purpose. A pair of running shoes will work okay, but they’re going to get extremely wet and will take up a lot of space in your pack. Sandals can also work, as long as they fit your feet tight enough.

A piece of advice: don’t try to cross the river barefoot. You’ll either slip and fall (because the soles of your feet don’t have any grip) or slice your foot on the rocks.

Rock Climbing Checklist

We’ve now covered all of the non-technical gear that you need to climb a mountain. However, there are some peaks out there that require a little more work than simply walking all the way to the top.

Sometimes, you need to rock-climb on steep cliff faces in order to reach the summit. In these instances, it’s essential that you bring the proper gear to catch you if you fall. Make sure to use the following gear if your mountain requires any rock climbing!

Rope

A rope is maybe the most important thing you can bring on any technical mountain adventure. It’s what catches you should you ever make a mistake and fall when you’re climbing, meaning that it could quite literally save your life.

For a rock-climbing rope, I would recommend getting a dynamic (stretchy) rope that’s at least 9.4 mm wide and 60 meters long.

A Harness

To properly attach yourself to the rope, you need a harness that will fit securely around your waist and hold you in place. Most rock-climbing gear companies, like Black Diamond and Arc’teryx, make harnesses suited for this purpose. Personally, I would recommend using a waist harness, as opposed to a chest harness or some kind of full-body variation.

A Belay Device

A belay device is what the rope passes through when someone is climbing. It creates friction and helps to ‘catch’ a climber when they fall; this makes it essential to bring along when rock climbing.

There are tens of belay devices out there to choose from. Personally, I use the Black Diamond ATC, as it can function in both rock-climbing and alpine environments. If you’re a little less experienced, though, I would recommend going with the Petzl Gri Gri.

Quickdraws

Quick draws are made up of two carabiners connected by a piece of webbing, as shown above. With a quickdraw, you clip one of the carabiners into the rock (using a pre-placed bolt or your own protection) and then clip the rope through the other carabiner; in this way, your rope is attached to the wall.

Read a trip report beforehand to figure out exactly how many quickdraws you’ll need to climb the mountain you want! If you’re unsure, I would recommend carrying at least 12.

Protection

In rock climbing lingo, ‘protection’ refers to a piece of gear that you place on the surface of a cliff that attaches you to that cliff. Check out the video below for a more in-depth explanation of what protection is:

Climbing Shoes

Climbing shoes are narrow, rubber-soled shoes that help you step on tiny footholds. If you’re on a mountain where you need to climb, I would consider these to be essential.

There are lots of rock climbing shoes out there built for different purposes (steep overhangs, bouldering, slab climbing, etc). For mountain climbing, I would recommend getting a flat, comfortable shoe as opposed to something with a more downturned shape. This will stop your feet from getting sore when climbing.

Cordelette

Finally, it’s always a good idea to bring some paracord or cordelette (basically a thin, strong rope) along with you when you’re climbing. This can be used to make slings, back up rappels, or even help you with a tagline rappel.

Alpinism Gear Checklist

Finally, let’s talk about alpinism gear. This is the equipment that you use when you have to contend with steep terrain that’s covered in ice and snow. Many mountains, including some of the most famous in the world (like Mount Everest) require alpine gear to ascend. If you’re really devoted to mountain climbing, it may only be a matter of time before you’re using this gear!

Ice Axe(s)

Ice axes are sharp tools that help you stab into snow or ice to gain purchase with your hands. They’re extremely helpful on steep, slippery terrain, and are therefore a must for any alpine climbs you may be doig.

If you know that you’ll have to climb vertical ice on your mountain, I would recommend bringing a dual pair of axes. If, however, you only need it for snow and glacier travel, a single ice axe should do.

Crampons

Crampons are spiked pieces of metal that clip onto the sole of your boot and help you gain purchase when you’re walking across ice or snow. Most mountaineering is impossible without a good pair of crampons.

As with ice axes, the right pair of crampons will vary based on what mountain you’re climbing. Check out my guide here for more info!

Mountaineering Boots

To wear most pairs of crampons, you’ll need a good pair of mountaineering boots. These are stiff-soled, heavy-duty boots that are used by alpinists all over the world. They’re thick enough to keep your feet warm when surrounded by snow, and they’re stiff to help for travel on steep ice.

Snow and Ice Anchors

Just like in rock climbing, you want a way to secure yourself to the mountain when you’re mountaineering. However, there might always not be solid rock for you to place protection.

In this instance, it’s best to bring ice screws and the proper equipment for building snow anchors. These will help you reduce the danger of taking a fall while climbing.

Avalanche Gear

Finally, any time there’s snow around, you want to carry proper avalanche gear with you. This includes a beacon, a lightweight probe, and a shovel for digging out any members of your group who become buried.

Not all alpinists carry avalanche gear, but I would highly recommend bringing it along, especially on climbs where you might be more exposed!