What To Look For
Mountaineering can involve travel on snow, ice, rock or all three at once, and doing so with a modicum of safety involves some specialty gear. Whatever range you are climbing in, if there is any chance of snow travel, an ice ax is essential. Axes designed for steeper, more technical terrain are generally shorter, whereas ones for glacier hiking are longer. Crampons, which clamp to mountaineering boots, are essential for travel on ice. The front points can be a horizontal configuration for snow and general use or vertical for technical ice. For a rope for glacier travel, get a single line about 8 1/2 mm in diameter and 60 meters long. Make sure the rope is a dry rope so it as a level of weatherproofness. If you are doing technically demanding routes, a single line 10 mm in diameter or two 8 1/2 mm ropes are needed. For glacier travel, climbers should carry a pulley and snow anchors to enable crevasse rescue techniques. A climbing harness with adjustable leg loops so the loops can accommodate different layers of clothing also is needed. Wear a helmet; mountains are constantly changing, and pieces of ice or rock can fall at any time. A pack that can hold 3,000 to 4,000 cubic inches is necessary, and waterproof-breathable shell fabrics such as Gore-Tex help keep a climber warm and dry.
Common Pitfalls
Make sure boots are crampon compatible and fit well. Also be sure to check the boots are adequate for the climb you are planning. Weight will slow you so try to buy the lightest gear and make sure to carry only what you need. Speed in the mountains equals safety.
Where To Buy
Online sites can be a great place to purchase gear if you know what need. Local shops can give you more specialized recommendations for the ranges nearby.
Cost
Don't skimp when buying climbing gear. It might seem pricey, but good gear can save your life. A pair of mountaineering boots will cost $200 to $400 as of September 2009. A good pack can cost $100 to $400. Ice axes are typically priced at $80 to $200, while crampons are $100 to $200. A harness will run around $80. Protection and a belay device will set you back around $100 to $150. And a rope, if you need to buy one, can run $150 to $250. Finally, a complete set of clothing will probably run $600 to $1,000.
Accessories
A water filter will help you get drinkable water from even tiny puddles and streams on glaciers. A first aid kit that has bandages, trauma dressings and drugs to help with altitude sickness is essential.
Insider Tips
Even if you only plan to do a day trip, bring a bivy sack so if you are slow or something happens and you need to spend a night in the open, you have some protection from the elements.
