The following is a list of equipment for the Everest South Col expedition. 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.

PACK & BAG

[  ] BACKPACK: A 6,000+ cubic inch pack is the recommended size for this climb. Equip your pack with straps for adding items. A separate summit pack is not needed.
Guides' Pick: JanSport Whittaker XL Series or Gregory Denali Pro

[  ] DAY PACK: A 2,800 cubic inch pack is used for carry-on items on Antarctica flights.

[  ] SLEEPING BAG: A bag rated -20° F to -40° F will keep you warm.
Guides' Pick: Mountain Hardwear Wraith SL - 20°

[  ] SLEEPING PADS: You will need a ¾-length or full-length inflatable pad, as well as a full-length closed cell foam pad. The additional pad is placed on top of the inflatable. No matter the degree a sleeping bag is rated, it will only be as good as the pad system it rests on.
Guides' Pick: Therm-A-Rest Prolite 4 or Cascade Designs Ridgerest

[  ] COMPRESSION STUFF SACK: A slightly oversized compression stuff sack can hold far more than just a sleeping bag when push comes to stuff.
Guides' Pick: Sea to Summit eVent®Compression Dry Sack XL

TECHNICAL GEAR

[  ] HELMET: We recommend a lightweight climbing helmet.
Guides' Pick: Grivel Salamander or Petzl Ecrin Rock

[  ] CLIMBING HARNESS: We recommend a comfortable, adjustable climbing harness that is easy to put on and take off while wearing gloves.
Guides' Pick: Black Diamond Vario Speed 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. Carry any repair kit/replacement parts and adjusting tools which are specific to your crampons. Test fit at home, especially with overboots. Quick release / attach crampons are best.
Guides' Pick: Grivel G10 or G12

[  ] TREKKING POLES: We recommend a lightweight, collapsible pair of trekking poles.
Guides' Pick: Leki Ultralite or Black Diamond Spire

[  ] 4 CARABINERS: 2 locking and 2 non-locking.
Guides' Pick: Black Diamond Rocklock Screwgate and Black Diamond Oval

[  ] PERLON ROPE: Twenty-four feet of 6 mm perlon accessory cord, and fifteen feet of 7 mm.

HEAD

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

[  ] 2 BALACLAVAS: One heavyweight and one silk or lightweight.
Guides' Pick: Mountain Hardwear Power Stretch or SmartWool

[  ] FACE MASK / NECK GAITER
Guides' Pick: Outdoor Research Gorilla Mask, Mountain Hardwear Power Stretch or SmartWool

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

[  ] 2 GLACIER GLASSES: Two pair of dark-lensed sunglasses with side shields or full wrap-type sunglasses are required.
Guides' Pick: Julbo Dolgan

[  ] GOGGLES: Amber or rose-tinted goggles are required for adverse weather.
Guides' Pick: Smith Rhythm and Smith Monashee OTG

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

[  ] MEDIUM WEIGHT INSULATED GLOVE: One pair of wind/water resistant ski gloves.
Guides' Pick: Mountain Hardwear Serrano Glove

[  ] HEAVY WEIGHT INSULATED GLOVE or MITTEN: One pair of wind/water resistant, insulated gloves or mittens for protection against wind, snow and cold. These also serve as emergency back-ups if you drop or lose a glove.
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: Men | Women or Patagonia Capilene 3 Men | Women

[  ] INSULATING LAYERS: A variety of insulating layers work well. Your choice of garment (fleece, soft-shell, etc.) 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. This should be an expeditionary-type heavy parka that extends well below the waist and above the knees. Goose down is recommended versus synthetic fill. It does not have to be waterproof, but that is a nice feature. The parka is worn primarily in camp, at rest breaks, and on summit day (when it is of crucial importance) . When sizing a parka, allow for several layers to be worn underneath; buy it large. The parka must have an insulated hood.
Guides' Pick: Mountain Hardwear Absolute Zero Parka or Marmot 8000 meter

LOWER BODY

[  ] BRIEFS: Bring several pair.
Guides’ Pick: SmartWool or Patagonia

[  ] BASE LAYER: One pair light or medium weight bottoms will be used as your next-to-skin layer.
Guides' Pick: SmartWool Microweight Bottom or Patagonia Capilene 3

[  ] CLIMBING PANTS: Synthetic climbing pants offer a wide range of versatility. You can wear them alone on hot days, or in combination with the base layer on cold days. The thickness (insulation quality) should be based on how well you do in the cold.
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 required for facilitating quick clothing adjustments over boots and crampons.
Guides' Pick: Mountain Hardwear GTX 2.5 Pant

[  ] DOWN OR SYNTHETIC INSULATED PANTS: A pant and parka combination offers excellent versatility. We discourage the use of full down suits.
Guides' Pick: Mountain Hardwear Compressor Pant

FEET

[  ] MOUNTAINEERING BOOTS: A new breed of composite boot like the Olympus Mons or an expedition-style plastic double boot in combination with a full overboot is mandatory. Price is the best indicator. Though expensive, the function of footwear is of crucial importance. Select a brand’s “top of the line” model and it should be sufficient for Mount Vinson. The boot needs to be roomy enough to allow for good circulation. Anticipate a sock combination when sizing them (single sock, liner and sock, or two heavy socks on each foot). Wear the boots as often as possible before the climb, to determine proper fit, comfort and performance. It is recommended that you keep your boots in your carry-on luggage for all of your commercial flights in case your luggage is mis-directed.
Guides’ Pick: Scarpa Inverno with High Altitude Liner (combined with overboots) or La Sportiva Olympus Mons (all-in-one boot / gaiter)

[  ] OVERBOOTS: Expedition overboots add significant warmth, especially at high altitude. All-in-one mountaineering boots do not need the added insulation of overboots.
Guides’ Pick: Forty Below Purple Haze or Outdoor Research Brooks Ranger

[  ] GAITERS: A knee-length pair of gaiters protect against catching crampons on loose clothing. Gaiters are not needed in combination with the all-in-one boots.
Guides' Pick: Outdoor Research Expedition Crocodiles

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

[  ] BOOTIES: Goose down or synthetic fill. Booties can be worn inside of the overboots while walking around camp, which allows an opportunity to dry out inner boots.
Guides’ Pick: Forty Below Camp Bootie

MISCELLANEOUS ITEMS

[  ] PERSONAL MEDICAL KIT: keep it light but include at least the following items:

[  ] Band-Aids	[  ] Moleskin or blister kit	[  ] Antacids
[  ] Aspirin / Ibuprofen	[  ] Imodium	[  ] Pepto-Bismol
[  ] Small roll of adhesive tape

[  ] PRESCRIPTION MEDICATIONS: We recommend that you talk with your personal physician about obtaining the following for your personal medical kit.
[  ] Antibiotics for traveler’s diarrhea
[  ] Acetazolamide for altitude illness (250 mg. tabs)
[  ] Tylenol 3 for pain

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

UTENSILS:
[  ] Bowl
[  ] Insulated mug with lid
[  ] 2 Spoons
[  ] Lighter
[  ] Pocketknife
Guides' Pick: Buck Whittaker Lumina

[  ] CHEMICAL HAND WARMERS: Bring 6 to 8.

[  ] 2 WIDE MOUTH WATER BOTTLES WITH INSULATED COVERS: Write you names on your bottles.
Guides' Pick: Nalgene water bottles and Outdoor Research Water Bottle Parka

[  ] THERMOS (optional item): We recommend a high quality, lightweight, unbreakable ½ to 1 quart thermos.

TOILET ARTICLES:
[  ] Toothbrush
[  ] Toothpaste
[  ] Baby wipes
[  ] Small container of waterless hand sanitizer

[  ] TOILET PAPER: 2 rolls

[  ] PEE BOTTLE: 1 to 1½ quart size

[  ] SLEEPING MASK and EAR PLUGS for sleeping

[  ] CAMERA

[  ] WATCH with alarm

[  ] AA ALKALINE BATTERIES for avalanche transceiver. Avalanche transceivers are supplied by RMI.

[  ] SEVERAL STUFF SACKS
Guides’ Pick: Sea to Summit Sn240 Siliconised Nylon Stuff Sacks

[  ] 2 DUFFEL BAGS: 3,500 to 4,000 c.i. One will be left in Punta Arenas; the second will travel to Antartica.
Guides’ Pick: Sea to Summit Duffel L or Gregory Long Haul XL or XXL

[  ] PASSPORT (and Visa if required). The following items can be of aid if you lose your passport, airline ticket or luggage.

• [  ] Photocopy of your passport
• [  ] Photocopy of your flight schedule
• [  ] Photocopy of your airline ticket receipt
• [  ] Photocopy of personal equipment inventory
• [  ] 2 extra identical passport photos

[  ] SECURITY/MONEY POUCH: and money, credit cards, etc. We recommend taking $400 - $600 along as travel money. Punta Arenas accepts all major credit cards and has ATMs.

[  ] MEALS: You will need lunch snacks while on the mountain. Bring drink mixes, snacks and items you will enjoy at altitude. Three to four pounds will be plenty. See Food Recommendations for suggestions and number of meals needed.

PROVIDED EQUIPMENT

RMI provides the following group equipment and technical hardware for your climb: climbing ropes, climbing anchors, avalanche transceivers, avalanche probes and shovels.

Every guide on your climb will carry rescue equipment and a first aid kit. Each climb has two-way radios for on-mountain communication.

GENERAL PACKING INFORMATION

• Duffel bags made of tough material and with a rugged zipper are preferable over suitcases.
• 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.
• 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 the Registration Packet to the RMI Office

[  ] Reserve rental equipment

[  ] Arrange transportation to and from the airport

[  ] Be in the best shape of my life!