Aid Climbing and Big Wall Techniques 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 can be rented before the first 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 with UVA/UVB protection.
• Headlamp
  • Bring extra batteries or charger for rechargeable battery style. Ideal range is 350 or more lumens.

-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
  • Made with a sticky climbing rubber. Used for approaches to and from the rock climbing routes as well as for climbing some of the easier routes.
• Trail Running Shoes (Optional)
• Used by many for approaching mountain camps later in the season. Be aware that trail shoes do not offer as much support when traveling with heavy packs. High stack shoes like Hokas 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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• 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.
• Belay Device
  • Bring an auto-blocking device that accepts 2 ropes.

• Slings
  • One 48in (120cm) and one 24in (60cm) pre-sewn sling. Slings must be UIAA-rated for climbing.
• Cordalette
  • A 180cm-240cm length sling or 18-24ft of 6mm accessory cord can be used as a cordelette. Available for sale by the foot at the Equipment Shop.
• 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.
• Carabiners
  • Must be UIAA-rated for climbing. Must have:
    • 4 large pear-shaped munter-style locking carabiners
    • 5 non-locking wire gate carabiners
• Assisted Braking Device
  • Used for everything from belaying, ascending, rigging portaledges, and hauling. The Petzl Grigri or the Edelrid Eddy are great examples.
• Ascenders
  • Mechanical ascenders with handles. Make sure to get a right and left hand.
• Daisy Chains
  • Bring two. There are many different types and models. All have their pros and cons. Bring a pair of the same model in different colors. Preferably Nylon. Longer is better, around 140cm.
• Aiders
  • Bring two. Again, a pair of the same but in different colors is better. Ladder-style spreader bars are strongly recommended for sustained wall climbing, as are sewn ladders instead of adjustable ones.
• Fifi Hook
  • Bring One.
• Day Pack
  • A 25L to 35L is an ideal size. This will be used during rock climbing and can also be used as a summit pack. Ideally, this pack is frameless so that it can be packed inside your larger pack if you decide to bring it on the mountain.

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While lodging or camping for this course in on your own, there may be a night or 2 that you will stay on a portaledge with the group.

• Sleeping Bag (Available to rent)
  • Synthetic or down. If you bring a synthetic bag, bring one on the lower end of the temp range since synthetic bags tend not to be as warm as down. If you sleep cold, bring a warmer bag than required. If choosing down, water-resistant down treatment is preferred to help prevent loss of insulating properties if the bag gets wet.
    • Early Season: 0° to 20°F (-18°to 6°C)
    • Mid Season: 20° to 30°F (-6° to -1°C)
    • Late Season: 15° to 20°F (-10° to -6°C)
• Compression Stuff Sack 
  • For your sleeping bag. A waterproof compression sack is recommended.
• Sleeping Pad (Available to rent)
  • Early Season: Bring 2. One inflatable and 1 closed-cell foam. The foam pad helps insulate from the snow and serves as a backup to the inflatable pad.
  • Mid/Late Season: One inflatable pad or closed cell foam pad.

-Camp Kitchen-

Link to all camp kitchen items below.

• Stove & Fuel (Available to rent)
• Pot
  • Bring 1 pot.
    • Early Season: Bring a bigger pot for melting snow, 1.5L to 2L
    • Mid/Late Season: 0.5L to 1L
      • NOTE: If you have a complete stove system like the Jetboil or MSR Reactor and plan on eating out of your integrated pot, then you do not need to bring another pot.
• Utensils
  • Don’t forget the official “most forgotten item” – The spoon or spork. Long-handled spoons make stirring hot liquids safer and metal ones tend not to break as easily in cold temps.
• Bowl
  • Early Season: Bring a plastic bowl or mug, preferably with insulation
  • Mid/Late Season: Bring a plastic bowl, insulation not necessary
    • NOTE: If you have a Jetboil or MSR Reactor type stove and plan on eating out of your integrated pot, then you don’t need to bring a bowl. The same applies if you plan on using commercially packaged dehydrated or freeze-dried meals.
• Lighters
  • Bring 2.
• Hydration
  • A 3L capacity is recommended, though some people need more. A common approach is to bring a 2-3L bladder and a 1L hard-sided bottle. The bottle is important as a backup to the bladder if it gets punctured. A hard-sided bottle may also double as a mug for hot water, though not every bottle is designed to hold boiling water.
    • For Camelbak-style hydration bladders, bring a drinking tube insulator, as the tube can freeze up. Drinking tubes must also have a lock on the bite valve. If you choose to use this system, be aware that it requires constant vigilance to avoid freezing. Be prepared to have to pull your bladder out of your pack to drink, as hoses freezing is a persistent issue on programs.
    • Early Season: Bring more water carrying capacity, usually in the form of bladders (4 to 8L) to reduce the number of times you need to melt snow.
• Water Purification
  • Water purification of some form is required. A water filter is highly recommended, as water purification tabs don’t function in cold water. Steripens are an acceptable alternative to purification tablets. Integrated filters like the BeFree and Quickdraw are preferred.
    • NOTE: Pumps can be damaged by silt in the glacial water and can easily freeze at night and crack.
• Food
  • You are responsible for your own food for the duration of the course. Please consult our meal planning page. You should arrive with enough food for the course. There may be time halfway through to restock some items.

>Click here for full camp kitchen items for sale

• Toothbrush & Toothpaste
  • Travel size recommended
• Hand Sanitizer
  • Required. Used after going to the bathroom and before eating. Wet wipes can be used for the “mountain shower.”
• Alarm Clock
  • You will be responsible for waking up at certain times throughout the program. While your guide can sometimes be your alarm, there are often situations where tents are far apart. Be sure if you use your phone as an alarm that you have enough backup battery to accommodate for this. If you plan to use a watch, be sure your alarm is loud enough to work for you.
• Toilet Paper
  • The provided solid waste bags have a small amount of toilet paper with them, but most people do not find this to be adequate. Estimate how much you’ll need for a program of this length and place that in a plastic zip-lock bag. An extra zip lock bag can be helpful for pack-out of used paper. If you plan to use wet wipes, be wary of scented or exfoliating types as these can be an irritant for some people.
• 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
• Repair Kit
  • Inflatable sleeping pad patch kit
  • Duct tape (can be wrapped around a trekking pole or a water bottle. Gorilla Tape tends to be the best brand for the mountains).
  • Zip ties
  • 6-10ft of 3mm accessory cord
  • 2 trash bags that are big enough to line the inside of your pack with

These items are not required, although many are nice “luxury” items that can make your expedition more enjoyable. Remember that a few ounces here and there add up to extra pounds on your back and knees during your expedition.

• Chalk Bag and Chalk
• Rock Climbing Rack
  • If you have it, then bring it. Make sure that it is marked as your gear so it doesn’t get mixed up with others. Nail polish is the best way to permanently mark your gear. Tape is strongly discouraged as it tends to fall off, become litter, and leave sticky residue on gear.
• Progress Capture
  • Modern progress captures like the Tibloc are useful for self-rescue and advanced crevasse rescue systems.
• Belay Gloves
  • Lightweight and breathable glove with a durable leather palm. They protect your hands from rope burn, pinching, and sharp elements.
• Gaia Navigation App
  • Optional smartphone app. Please have the Mt. Baker (all aspects) maps downloaded prior to the start of your course.
• Map and Compass
  • Map should be of Mt. Baker Area (Preferably Green Trails Maps #13SX). The compass must have a declination adjustment.
• Altimeter Watch
  • If you have one then bring it. It is a great tool to have in the backcountry, especially for navigation.
• Pee Bottle
  • Used at night or when the weather is poor so you don’t have to get out of your tent. A 32oz or larger capacity is strongly recommended. Many guides use a bladder instead of a bottle to increase capacity.
• Entertainment
  • Books, games, cards, music player, kindle, etc. For evenings or other downtime.
• Portable Charging Device
  • Phone charger, battery pack, or solar panel. You are responsible for your alarm clock each morning. If you are going to use your phone, be sure you have enough power to accommodate this.
• Ear Plugs
  • For defense against snoring and high winds.
• 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.
• Comfortable Clothing and Footwear
  • Breathable footwear – like flip flops – as well as some comfortable cotton clothing can be nice to change into after you get back to the van.
• Car Charger
  • Consider bringing an extra battery pack as well; having a lot of people using car charger cables is difficult.

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>Click here to print a simple list

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