Outdoor Rock Climbing Equipment List

This list represents a “worst-case scenario” for trips with significant weather. Some items may not be needed if conditions are mild, but it’s best to plan for the worst.

Provided Equipment

Climbing rope, anchors, and solid waste bags.

Rentals

Equipment available for rent through the AAI Equipment Shop is designated as “available for rent”. These items must be rented and taken care of before the day of your course.

Click each underlined heading to see examples and make online purchases of guide-approved gear from the Equipment Shop.

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-HEADWEAR-

• Beanie/Toque
  • Wool or synthetic. Must fit under a helmet. Easily replaced with hooded layers after the early season.
• Sun Hat
  • 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.
• Buff / Neck Gaiter
  • UPF-rated is highly recommended. Lighter colors are better for warm conditions and darker for colder conditions.
• Sun Glasses
  • Preferably UVA/UVB protection.

-BASELAYERS-

• Undergarments
  • Wool or synthetic. Long, compression-style undergarments can help reduce inner thigh chafing. Sports bras without shoulder buckles or clasps are more comfortable under a pack.
• Base Top
  • A lightweight, wool or synthetic sun hoody is ideal. UPF 30+ sun protection is best. UPF clothing works better than sunscreen.

-MIDLAYERS-

• Active Insulation Top
  • Lightweight “gridded fleece” or lightweight synthetic insulated jacket or pullover. Hood preferred. Active insulation weight – 40g/m2. Heavier insulation weight – 60-80g/m2. Alpha fleece works as well.
• Softshell Pants
  • Thin, weather-resistant, breathable, and stretchy. You will wear these a majority of the time.
• Softshell Jacket
  • A soft shell 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. Windproof jackets are lightweight and packable but lack the breathability and stretchy nature of the soft shell. Windproof jackets are ideal for blocking wind and light precipitation during low-output activities.

-INSULATING LAYERS-

• Insulation Jacket
  • 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.

-HARDSHELLS-

• 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. Not insulated.
• 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.

-FOOTWEAR-

• Socks
  • 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
  • Approach shoes are recommended; trail shoes are optional. Be aware that trail running shoes do not offer as much support when hiking with a heavy pack and don’t offer the stiffness or grip of an approach shoe for rocky terrain. High-stack shoes like Hoka are not recommended.
• 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.

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• Belay Device
  • Bring an auto-blocking device that accepts 2 ropes.
• Helmet (Available to rent)
  • Must be UIAA-rated for climbing. Be aware that foam, break-away style helmets like the ones listed 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, padded harness is ideal for this program.

• Slings
  • One 48in (120cm) and one 24in (60cm) pre-sewn sling. Slings must be UIAA-rated for climbing.
• Cordelette
  • Bring 18-24 ft of 6mm accessory cord, climbing rated.
• Carabiners
  • Must be UIAA-rated for climbing. Must have:
    • 4 large pear-shaped munter-style locking carabiners
    • 5 non-locking wire gate carabiners
• Rappel Backup
  • The Sterling Hollow Block or Beal Jammy are recommended for their heat-resistant properties. A 4ft length of 6mm nylon accessory cord will also suffice.
• Day Pack
  • A 18 to 25L is an ideal size. Ideally, this pack is frameless.
• Snacks and Water
  • Have whatever food and water you will need for the day.

• Hand Sanitizer
  • Required. Used after going to the bathroom and before eating. Wet wipes can be used for the “mountain shower.”
• Pee Cloth (Optional)
  • A reusable, antimicrobial pee cloth, used in place of toilet paper or wet wipes. Note that everything is pack-it-in/pack-it-out for Leave No Trace purposes. If toilet paper is used, it will have to be packed out. This also helps keep pack weight down.
• Urination Device (Optional)
  • Pee funnels such as the GoGirl or Freshette.
• Menstrual Cup (Optional)
  • As with toilet paper, everything in the backcountry must be packed out. Menstrual cups can help with waste needing to be packed out.
• Suncreen
  • 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.
• Lip Balm
  • Make sure it is SPF-rated.
• Personal First Aid Kit
  • Band aids
  • Blister Treatment
  • Prescription Drugs
  • Ibuprofen, etc
  • If you wear contacts, make sure you have spares if you can’t see without them

These items are not required, although many are nice to have with you.

• Chalk Bag and Chalk
• Crack Gloves
• Rock Climbing Rack and Nut Tool
  • If you have these, bring them. Make sure to mark your gear, so it doesn’t get mixed up. Nail polish is the best way to permanently mark your gear. Tape is discouraged as it tends to fall off and leave a residue.
• Assisted Braking Device
  • If you have a Petzl GriGri or similar assisted braking device, bring it with you for front-country climbing.
• Belay Gloves
  • Lightweight and breathable glove with a durable leather palm. They protect your hands from rope burn, pinching, and sharp elements.
• 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. Large cameras and lenses are not recommended due to their size and bulk.

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