The following is a list of equipment required for the Four Day Mt. Shuksan Climb. Our philosophy is to prepare for the worst, and hope for the best. We may encounter a variety of weather conditions throughout our climb, including rain, wind, snow, sleet and extreme heat. Skimping on equipment can jeopardize your safety and success, so we want you to think carefully about any changes or substitutions you are considering.

Most of the required equipment is available for rent or purchase from Whittaker Mountaineering in Ashford or online. RMI participants receive a 10 percent discount on new clothing and equipment items ordered from Whittaker Mountaineering (excluding sale items). The Discount Code is RMI 2008 for internet orders. For more information or questions regarding clothing and equipment items call 800-238-5756 or click below.

There are no opportunities to purchase or rent gear in Sedro Wooley. Participants should be confident with the fit and choice of their gear prior to arriving for the program. Please review the list on this page, and call the RMI office to speak with a guide about any gear questions you may have.

PACK & BAG

[  ] BACKPACK: A 4,000-5,000 cubic inch pack is the recommended size for this climb. A separate summit pack is not needed.
Guides’ Pick: JanSport Whittaker L Series or Osprey Aether 85

[  ] SLEEPING BAG: A bag rated to 20° F will keep you warm. A small deviation is fine. You may use either goose down or synthetic. A compression style stuff sack is recommended.
Guides’ Pick: Lamina 20°

[  ] SLEEPING PAD: Full length inflatable or closed cell pad.
Guides’ Pick: Therm-A-Rest Prolite 4 or Cascade Designs Ridgerest

TECHNICAL GEAR

[  ] AVALANCHE TRANSCEIVER: A climb of Mt. Shuksan involves travel in avalanche terrain. A digital transceiver is preferred; analog will work as well.
Guides’ Pick: BCA Tracker DTS

[  ] HELMET: Helmets are required for glacier travel and on the upper mountain.
Guides’ Pick: Grivel Salamander or Petzl Ecrin Rock

[  ] CLIMBING HARNESS: A comfortable, adjustable harness is necessary for training and while climbing on the upper mountain.
Guides’ Pick: Black Diamond Vario Adjustable

[  ] ICE AXE: The length of your axe depends on your height.  Use the following general mountaineering formula: up to 5'8", use a 65 cm. axe; 5'8" to 6'2" use a 70 cm. axe; and taller, use a 75 cm. axe.  If you hold the axe so that it hangs comfortably at your side, the spike of the axe should still be a few inches above the ground.
Guides’ Pick: Grivel Rainier or Black Diamond Raven Pro

[  ] CRAMPONS: The 10 to 12 point adjustable crampons designed for general mountaineering are ideal. Rigid frame crampons designed for technical ice climbing are not recommended on Mt. Adams. If you bring your own crampons, bring the appropriate repair kit/replacement parts and adjusting tools.
Guides’ Pick: Grivel G10 or G12

[  ] TREKKING or SKI POLES: Trekking poles are used on the approach and to provide additional stability in adverse weather.
Guides’ Pick: Leki Ultralite or Black Diamond Spire

[  ]ONE LOCKING CARABINER
Guides’ Pick: Black Diamond Rocklock Screwgate

HEAD

[  ] WARM HAT: A wool or synthetic hat. It should be warm, but thin enough to fit underneath a climbing helmet.
Guides’ Pick: Mountain Hardwear Micro Dome or SmartWool

[  ] BALACLAVA/ NECK GAITER: Required for cold and windy days.
Guides’ Pick: Mountain Hardwear Power Stretch or SmartWool

[  ] BALL CAP: A lightweight ball cap, bandana or sun hat works very well.
Guides' Pick: RMI Ice Axe Hat

[  ] GLACIER GLASSES: A pair of dark-lensed sunglasses with side shields or full wrap-type sunglasses is required.
Guides’ Pick: Julbo Dolgan

[  ] GOGGLES: Amber or rose-tinted goggles are required for adverse weather. Additionally, contact lens wearers may find a clear-lensed goggle very useful on windy, dusty nights.
Guides’ Pick: Smith Rhythm and Smith Monashee OTG

[  ] HEADLAMP: With an “alpine start,” we will travel approximately four to six hours in the dark. We strongly recommend Lithium batteries as they perform well in a cold environment. If you choose alkaline batteries, bring an additional set, and ensure that they are kept in a warm pocket while climbing.
Guides’ Pick: Petzl MYO XP

HANDS

A good glove / mitten combination is important because of the variety of weather conditions experienced throughout your climb. Below are some recommendations. Your glove combination should include three separate layers that work well together.

[  ] LIGHT WEIGHT GLOVE: One pair of fleece or wool gloves.
Guides’ Pick: Mountain Hardwear Kahiltna Glove

[  ] INSULATED GLOVE: One pair of wind/water resistant ski gloves.
Guides’ Pick: Marmot Randonee Glove

[  ] HEAVY WEIGHT INSULATED GLOVE: One extra pair of wind/water resistant, insulated gloves for protection against wind, snow and cold. These serve as emergency back-ups if a glove gets wet, is dropped or lost.
Guides' Pick: Mountain Hardwear Absolute Zero Mitten

UPPER BODY

[  ] BASE LAYER: One long-sleeve, light or medium weight top will be used as your base layer. Light colored tops are ideal, since dark colors absorb heat from the sun, and neck zippers will provide extra ventilation.
Guides’ Pick: SmartWool Next-to-Skin Lightweight Zip-T or Patagonia Capilene 3

[  ] INSULATING LAYERS: A variety of insulating layers work well. Your choice of garment (fleece or soft-shell) and the number of garments (one or two) should be based on how well you do in the cold. Generally speaking, we recommend two layers that work in combination with each other.
Guides’ Pick: Mountain Hardwear Torch: Men | Women and Mountain Hardwear Micro-Chill Zip T

[  ] SHELL JACKET: You will need a jacket made of rain/wind resistant material with an attached hood.
Guides’ Pick: Mountain Hardwear Pinnacle Jacket

[  ] INSULATED PARKA with HOOD: This item becomes of highest importance when we are faced with poor weather. Additionally, this oversized, insulated parka traps heat at rest breaks. The parka may be either goose down or synthetic fill and should have at least two inches of insulation thickness. It should fit over all of your clothing layers, including your wind shell.  We do not recommend wind jackets with zip-in liners or down sweaters as substitutes as they are not warm enough for this climb.
Guides’ Pick: Mountain Hardwear Sub Zero SL Parka

LOWER BODY

[  ] BASE LAYER: One pair light or medium weight synthetic bottoms will be used as your base layer.
Guides’ Pick: SmartWool Next-to-Skin Lightweight Bottom or Patagonia Capilene 3

[  ] INSULATING LAYER: One pair of fleece or windstopper pants is required for the upper mountain. Full-length side zippers are recommended for making quick clothing adjustments, and for ventilating options.
Guides’ Pick: Mountain Hardwear Makalu Pant

[  ] SHELL PANT: A pant made of rain/wind resistant material will be needed for the climb. Full-length side zippers are a great option, facilitating quick clothing adjustments over boots and crampons.
Guides’ Pick: Mountain Hardwear GTX 2.5 Pant

[  ] LIGHTWEIGHT TREKKING PANT or SHORTS - OPTIONAL
Guides’ Pick: Mountain Hardwear Trekking Pant

FEET

[  ] MOUNTAINEERING BOOTS: Insulated plastic boots or a mountaineering specific leather boot are the preferred choices for ascents in the North Cascades. It must provide good insulation as well as a rigid sole for kicking steps and holding crampons. Lightweight hiking boots are not acceptable as they don’t work well with crampons, or in very cold or wet weather.
Guides’ Pick: Plastic Boots: Scarpa Inverno
Guides’ Pick: Leather Boots: La Sportiva Nepal Evo GTX

[  ] GAITERS: A knee-length pair of gaiters, large enough to fit over your mountaineering boots, will be needed. This will protect you from catching your crampons on loose clothing.
Guides’ Pick: Outdoor Research Expedition Crocodiles

[  ] SOCKS: Two pair, either wool or synthetic. Some people find liner socks useful for reducing friction.
Guides’ Pick: SmartWool Mountaineering or Adrenaline Heavy Crew

MISCELLANEOUS ITEMS

[  ] SUNSCREEN and LIP PROTECTION
Guides’ Pick: Coppertone Sport SPF 30

[  ] MEALS and EATING UTENSILS: Three trail lunches, three dinners and three breakfasts are needed. Utensils consist of a bowl, insulated mug and spoon.  See Food Recommendations for suggestions and additional information.

[  ] 2 - 3 WATER BOTTLES: Two or three sturdy one-quart water bottles are required. Wide mouth bottles are ideal since their opening is less likely to freeze. If you bring a hydration system, also bring two one-quart water bottles as back up.
Guides’ Pick: Nalgene

[  ] 2 LARGE GARBAGE BAGS and a 1 GALLON ZIP-LOCK BAG: We recommend lining your backpack and sleeping bag stuff sack with garbage bags to keep items in your backpack completely dry. Please use the Zip-Lock as your personal trash bag.

[  ] TOILET ARTICLES: Toothbrush, toothpaste and a few hand/sanitary wipes. Bring some personal toilet paper for your climb.

[  ] EAR PLUGS: For sleeping in tents.

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[  ] INSECT REPELLANT

[  ] WATER PURIFICATION TABLETS

PROVIDED EQUIPMENT

RMI provides the following group equipment and technical hardware for your climb: tents, stoves, fuel, climbing ropes and anchors, and blue bags (for solid waste disposal).

Every guide on your climb will carry rescue equipment and a first aid kit. Each climb has two-way radios and a cell phone for emergency contact.

GENERAL PACKING INFORMATION

• Duffel bags made of tough material and with a rugged zipper are preferable over suitcases. RMI cannot guarantee the safety of gear left in cars at the trailhead. You may wish to ask your hotel to store your luggage and valuables during the climb.
• Make sure everything fits comfortably in the bag and that all sharp points are covered. Crampon cases, point protectors and duct tape work well to cover sharp objects.
• Protect your clothing, sleeping bag, insulated parka, etc from water by placing them in plastic trash bags inside your duffel on the airline and throughout the trip. Bring several thick, durable trash bags.
• Two lighter or smaller duffels are easier to manage than one large duffel.
• Write your name on the inside and outside of your duffel bag and inventory the contents. Keep this inventory list with your important papers.
• Stuff Sacks are a great way to help organize all of your gear.

PRE-TRIP CHECKLIST

[  ] Purchase trip insurance

[  ] Return Registration Packet to RMI Office

[  ] Reserve hotel accommodations for before and after your program

[  ] Reserve rental equipment

[  ] Arrange transportation to and from the airport

[  ] Be in the best shape of my life!