If you enjoy mountaineering, you will often find yourself in quite inhospitable environments. You should be prepared for this. However, you also need to bear in mind that all the luggage you pack will have to be carried to and from this difficult terrain. So only take what you really need.
Clothing
- Mountaineering trousers
- Hardshell jacket
- Insulated jacket
- Gloves (waterproof) two pairs
- Base layers & underwear
- Socks
- Glacier glasses
- Gaiters
- Beanie
- Scarf or neck gaiter
- Crampon-compatible mountaineering boots
Equipment
- Backpack (35-45 l depending on tour)
- Helmet
- Crampons
- Ice pick
- Harnesses
- HMS carabiner, screwgate carabiner
- Cord
- Sewn runners
- Ice screw(s)
- Tube
- Mountaineering poles
- Head torch
- Treated rope
- Crevasse rescue set
- Quickdraws and mobile hangers (depending on tour)
You should always have these with you, too
- Maps
- Compass
- Phone (charged)
- First-aid kit incl. survival blanket and blister plasters
- Bivvy (2 man)
- Sun protection
- Any personal medications required
- Cash
- Any relevant club membership cards
- Water bottles and sufficient water, min 1.5 l
- Pocket knife
- Snacks
- Small garbage bag
- ID
- Tissues
If you are staying overnight in a hut
- Change of clothes, comfortable trousers, t-shirt, jacket, socks
- Slippers
- Hut sleeping bag
- Optional earplugs
- Toiletries bag toothpaste, toothbrush, soap
- Towel
For bivouacking
- Shovel
- Sleeping mat
- Sleeping bag
- Stove
- Walking nutrition
Optional
- Camera
- Binoculars
- Seat pad
You should only go mountaineering if you know what you are doing. If you have not had extensive training, you should definitely seek the help of an experienced mountain guide. They will also be best able to assess the equipment needed for the intended tour.
You should never underestimate the sun. It may not seem so bad at first, but your eyes can be severely damaged if you wear the wrong glasses or no glasses at all. You should therefore always have a pair of glacier glasses with you. Normal sunglasses are not enough on a mountaineering tour.
There are now also ready-made crevasse recovery sets available as an alternative to prusiks and carabiners. It is a matter of taste, which one you prefer. Both are helpful in an emergency, but carabiners and prusiks are more versatile. The set only serves one purpose.
As a general rule, anyone who embarks on a mountaineering tour should be able to realistically assess the weather, their ability and training condition and should take the mountain seriously. After all, it can quickly become dangerous not only for you, but also for others.
