You are an avid hiker or trekker and decided to be a bit more extreme? Changing from normal hiking to mountaineering and climbing requires some adaptations even if the mountains you are about to climb are not technical. It is important to plan ahead, to gain the required knowledge and experience and to hear other experienced mountaineers opinions and tips for what is required to safely and enjoyably complete high altitude treks and mountaineering.
During regular hiking, you might decide to carry heavier items, not so necessary camping items and, indulgence items. It is not the case for mountain climbing.
Unlike normal hiking, climbing a mountain usually means more demanding conditions, a higher level of fitness is required, high altitude aspects might be involved, more risk management, more planing, less place for mistakes, weather instability. Usually, it means carrying only and very specific items.
If the climbing is more technical, either snow or rock climbing (or mixed climbing) of course it means more expertise level is required. You will need to carry a specific gear for the climbing (like camps, climbing nuts, ice screws, different ropes etc). More rescue knowledge is required, more rope techniques experience, and some other factors.
Climbing tips list
Preparations for climbing
Study well your objective- how high is the mountain. What is considered to be a reasonable time to climb it. The level of fitness you need to accomplish it? What are the hazards? where do you sleep and on what altitude, etc. All these will give you the right perspective of what you are about to accomplish, how you should prepare for it and what to bring with you.
Fitness: Plan and work hard to bee with a higher fitness level than required.
High Altitude SIckness- What is the highest point you are about to climb? How many days? Do you have enough days to acclimatize? You should consider carrying Altitude sickness pills, like Diamox (Acetazolamide). High altitude sickness can surprise you. Make sure you are familiar with Altitude sickness topic: prevention and treatment.
Prefer climbing as a group, not alone and if possible, also plan your gear, items, clothes together.
General items
Travel light. Don’t take spare items. Don’t carry camping items. If you need to carry a tent, make sure it is large enough only. No need to carry a tent that is capable to host more people apart of the defined plan.
Carry light backpack no need for extra pockets with extra weight. trekking backpack is not for speed mountaineering for example. The size and weight might impact your climb.
A smaller backpack also means better movement. Less danger that the backpack will get stuck on rocks or will limit your movement.
Use blisters pads over your ankles. preventing aches is easier than treating them.
Sunscreen is a must in the mountains. Especially on snowy mountains. Ski google are also only optional for easy to moderate climbing. They will be in use if you head into extreme conditions. So you can check in advance probabilities for bad weather and decide upon it. Lips protection is an important item as well.
Line the inside of your backpack with a big plastic bag. This way you are likely to keep your items dryer.
Clothing and boots
Have layering clothes from the appropriate fabrics and weight. It will make it easier to regulate body heat, to carry the right clothing weight, and, dry faster and move faster and conveniently.
Use 2 layers of socks. Not only it will keep your feet warmer, but it will also prevent the friction of the shoe on your feet and will prevent blisters.
You might find out you are more sensitive than your friends to the cold. Usually, it means frozen fingers. Be ready with the right gloves systems. thinner layer gloves that can fit inside thicker layer gloves that marked to be suitable for the conditions you are about to climb. This way, you will have the possibility to remove the thicker gloves but still to be covered.
Unlike hiking, for mountaineering, you will probably need dedicated shoes that exactly fits the mountains, and your feet, There are many models from several manufacturers and it can be very unclear of what to choose of. Likely you will need Crampons grade boots. Stiffness level depends on the terrain. For snowy peaks of 6000/7000 meters high, you can end up with boots that include snow covers (Gaiters) like the La-Sportiva G2 SM model. For 4000/5000 meters peaks, you can have La Sportiva Evo extreme or equivalent. Please consult for the right boot for you.
for legs wear for most cases of 4000~6000 metes peak and depends on the season of the climb, you will need under/thermal layer, “heavy” wind block/waterproof pants, and windproof/waterproof over-trousers if conditions are bad.
Above 7000 meters you will probably need heavier down layers or suits.
If you need to carry crampons. Those have sharp teeth. carry them inside a lightweight strong fabric bag.
During the night if sleeping inside a sleeping bag (and not in a shelter/hut), put your gloves and socks inside the sleeping bag to keep them warm or to dry faster.
Bring a buff, or balaclava that can be used as a buff
Make sure you head clothes cover easily the ears.
Food and drink
Climbing requires extensive effort and energy. Fill your pockets with energy sources that are easy to consume like energy bars, dried fruits, or chocolate bars. Don’t use food that tends not to be chewy in cold temperature.
Based on your route and temperature you should consider having electrolytes powder (like GU or others) so you will help recovery and readiness to the next day.
Water: there is a delicate line between the water you will need to carry to much water which is very heavy. usually, for a day of the climb, you will need 1.5L, assuming that you had your water drink in the morning and that by the end of your day you can re-fill water. Make sure to forecast the weather and to estimate how much water you should carry accordingly. Verify in advance, the effort you expect to handle each day. Check if there are water sources on your way and if you need to carry water purificators with you.
During the intensive climb days probably you will not have time to deal with water re-filling from snow or other sources so be ready before the day starts with the water you need for the whole day.
Thermal bottle for hot drinks. It is very individual if for you drinking hot tea in your short break during the climb is more benefit than the weight and volume you need to carry.
Movement
Walking poles are essential items for hiking and climbing. And, don’t just bring one pole. Use the pair of poles and they will support your climb up and down, will keep you stable, will protect your knees and will lower the burden from your legs.
Mentioning movement, This is another topic related to safety, but don’t move from your way disturbing rocks, as this may lead to more falling rocks that can be a danger to other climbers.
Also, you use the Ice-ax, which is necessary for the snowy or iced mountains as a supporting pole. There are different lengths of Ice-ax so for that reason, if expected, don’t pick the shorter Ice-ax’s.
Photography
Yes, today’s phones can extract very good pictures but still, there are key limitations. Light conditions impact high the quality of the phone’s photography. Zooming is not possible and quality is not the same as SLR cameras. Also, sports cameras like GoPro or SJCAM brands are a good option but battery life is short and limiting. No zooming and, many times they are fixed on helmets.
But, weight is a very critical factor.
Take this into account if you bring with you SLR camera with a zoom lens or mirrorless type. You can get much better quality photos but it will be hard in many conditions on the mountains to shoot with the heavier camera and carrying it might limit your movement. If leaving to the mountains as a group you can decide with the colleagues that one will carry the heavy good camera and others can carry other items, for the benefits of the all group.
In all cases, keep in mind camera’s and electronic devices tend to freeze in extreme cold, in the high/snowy mountains. keeping the camera exposed to the cold is not a very good idea. for a small camera, hide it in your external pocket. For a big camera in very cold weather, carry it inside your backpack and use it when possible. In order to avoid fog over the lens and to avoid a cold entering your internal layers try to avoid hiding your camera inside the jacket.
Safety
Consider the following:
Do not travel alone as much as possible. Register yourself in any possible checkpoint, in the city or in the mountains and there are people are aware of your location and destination.
Emergency tracking device.
Shelters for emergency needs-fixed locations or portable
Emergency oxygen supplement for high altitude mountaineering
First aid kit with the common necessities for blisters, headache, open wounds, etc.
Be aware of basic ropes knots, basic rescue means and the possibilities for those in your destination.
Learn your path for crevasses. Are their crevasses potentially? learn crevasse rescue fundamentals, map the danger and precheck how to cross it.
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