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Mountaineering, Climbing, and Skiing
In The Canadian Rockies
Mountaineering Semester Gear Lists
Clothing and Equipment List
This is the comprehensive list of all the things you will need to
make your experience on the Semester comfortable and
effective. You will no doubt find it a little overwhelming but do not
despair, as there are ways of outfitting yourself without breaking the
bank. What we would suggest is that you go through the list and make
your own list of everything that you already have and a list of what
you don't have. Some of the items you will obviously want to purchase.
Others can be obtained from friends - purchased, borrowed or even
rented. You do not have to go "top of the line" high tech. Many
outdoor shops often have brand name clothing with their own label on
it for far less than name brand prices.
If you are in doubt about what to buy and cannot get to a good
mountaineering shop, please feel free to call the Yamnuska office for
advice. If you cannot find what you need in your area, you would do
well to come without it and buy it in Calgary, Canmore or Banff. We
recommend that you arrive, a couple of days early if you have a lot of
gear to purchase.
This document is several pages long, we recommend that you download it
for further reference
CLOTHING FOR ALL SEASONS
A clothing 'system' is crucial to your enjoyment, learning and
potentially, your very survival in this program. We are advising you
on our years of learning from experience. A system is based on
layering different kinds and weights of clothing so that you can
easily adjust your body heat - both output and retention - to climatic
and activity demands. You will be dealing with temperature
variations from +30°C to -30°C.
FABRICS
Look for clothing made with polyester synthetics and fiber pile such
as Polar Fleece, Synchilla and Polartec. These products retain warmth
when wet and dry with body heat. Pants and wind clothing should be
polyester or lycra blend. Look for quick dry nylon or four-way stretch
material.
Your Clothing System should:
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Allow you to trap layers of warm, dry air next to the your body.
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Protect these insulating layers from the heat loss caused by wind.
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Control the amount of moisture that gets into this insulation by
shedding rain and snow and by allowing for ventilation of body
moisture.
ITEMS FOR CLOTHING SYSTEM
HEAD AND NECK
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TOQUE OR BALACLAVA - wool or pile only, should be compact enough to
fit under a climbing helmet. Poly-pro or silk balaclavas are good
items to use in conjunction with a toque.
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SKI TUBE or neck scarf - good for covering neck and face.
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BALL CAP or BRIMMED HAT
UPPER BODY
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UNDERWEAR TOP -(2 minimum) long sleeved polypropylene, these come in
different weights (thickness) and styles. For winter it is nice to
have one that has a turtle-neck zip and is expedition weight.
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PILE SWEATERS OR SHIRTS - (2) Polypro turtlenecks, pile fiber sweater
or shirt, or long sleeved wool shirt.
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HEAVIER SWEATER OR JACKET - Pile jacket or pullover. 300 weight
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WATERPROOF/WINDPROOF JACKET - 'Gore-Tex' or nylon shell,
large enough to fit over all your layers. 'Gore-Tex' is a lot more
expensive than nylon. Should be able to breath. Recommend a good
quality jacket.
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PARKA - Warm, synthetic or down parka for those
chilly winter days. This will greatly enhance your experience.
LOWER BODY
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LONG UNDERWEAR - 2 pairs, polypropylene is best.
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PILE PANTS - 1 pair, full zip is useful. 100 or 200 weight fleece.
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SOFT SHELL CLIMBING PANTS - 1 pair. Should be loose fitting and uncoated.
(breathable) 'Mtn. Equipment Co-op Rad Pant' or 'Mammut' pants are
good. "Schoeller" material is very good.
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WATERPROOF/WINDPROOF PANTS - 1 pair, Should be full zip to fit over boots. Gore-Tex
or nylon pants.
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RAIN PANTS - 1 pair, 100% water proof or 'Gore Tex' pants.
HANDS
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WOOL OR POLYPRO GLOVES - 2 pairs, one light one
heavy
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WOOL OR PILE MITTS - 2 pairs
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OVER MITTS - 1 pair, Coated nylon or Gore-tex. Helps to keep hand wear
dry and prevents wear and tear.
FEET
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SOCKS - At least 4 pairs, wool/nylon blend is the best type to get as
the nylon gives strength to the wool.
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RUNNING SHOES - 1 pair, for wear around Town, camp and for stream
crossings.
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Insulated Booties - Excellent for warm feet around camp, huts and in
the sleeping bag at night. For winter use mainly.
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GAITERS - 1 pair, Essential for keeping snow, dirt and rocks out of
your boots. Should be heavy nylon or Gore-tex material with a heavy
duty full zipper or velcro snap combination and a strap underneath. Tube style gaiters are
O.K. but cannot be taken off or put on without removing your boot.
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SUPER GAITERS - Expensive insulated gaiters that fit over the entire
mountain or ski boot. (optional, but great to have if you suffer from
chronic cold feet) winter only
EQUIPMENT NEEDS
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MOUNTAIN BOOTS - This will be the most important piece of equipment
for the course. They should be minimum of 3/4 shank. Take the time and care to insure that you
have a comfortable fit. Double plastic boots are warm and durable
however, many people are now using leather boots. Koflach, Kastinger, Lowa, Scarpa and
Asolo all make good boots. Wear them as much as possible before the
course so that they are broken in.
**WE HAVE PLASTIC MOUNTAINEERING BOOTS FOR RENT- LET US KNOW AS SOON AS
POSSIBLE IF YOU WANT TO RENT**
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HIKING BOOTS - A light weight hiking boot or shoe is the footwear of
choice for daily use.
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ROCK CLIMBING SHOES - Well worth the investment. There are many brands
on the market with a broad range of prices. Best to buy a non
specialized shoe. Buy your rock shoe to fit
small but comfortable as you will be wearing them for extended
periods. These can also be rented from Yamnuska.
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EXPEDITION BACK PACK - This should be a sturdy , well constructed pack
with at least 70 liter carrying capacity. A simple well fitting pack
is best. Try on the pack and load it with weight (20 Kilos or more) to
see how comfortable it will be. It should have a wide comfortable hip
belt which sits on the top of the hips. Shoulder straps should also be
well padded and comfortable. Key words here are comfort, durability
and simplicity.
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DAY PACK - Used on day hikes , rock and alpine climbs. Should be
sturdy and durable with ice axe attachments and large enough to fit
all your gear for the day. Size should be about 30 to 45 liters.
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SLEEPING BAG - A great deal of time will be spent in your sleeping bag
and the majority of this will be in Winter conditions. The big
question is whether to go with Down or Synthetic fill in your bag.
Both have advantages and disadvantages. Down filled bags are very
light and compress easily into a small space. However, they are
expensive and don't work well when they are wet. Synthetic bags keep
you warm when they are wet but are bulkier and heavier than down.
During the Winter it is easy to get your bag wet due to condensation
and body moisture. Therefore synthetic bags are preferable for Winter
conditions. The bag should have a four season rating and a minimum of
2.5 to 3 lbs. of fill. Rating at least -20c. If you already have a
down bag or prefer to buy one , you can winterize it by covering it
with a polar-guard overbag, a 'Gore-Tex' bivi-sac or by getting a bag
with a 'Gore-Tex' shell.
Lighter (>-100C)
bag OK for summer program.
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SLEEPING PAD - This item provides protection from heat loss due to
conduction while you are sleeping. An essential item for camping. The
pad must be a closed cell foam such as polyethylene or Evazote and at
the very least 10mm thick. 15mm is more suited for winter use. If you
want more warmth and comfort look to a 'Therma-Rest' inflatable pad.
These are quite expensive but a nice item for winter and snow camping.
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BIVI-SACK/OVER BAG - Adds warmth and protects your sleeping bag from dirt and
moisture. Gore-tex is the best material for this. (optional)
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STUFF SACKS - Coated nylon bags with draw string. For carrying and
storing your gear. Good to have a few so that you may also store your
clothing and extras.
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HEADLAMP - (w/ spare batteries and bulb) 'M.S.R.' or 'Petzl' brands
are good. This is an essential item. L.E.D. variety are
adequate.
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WATER BOTTLE - One liter capacity, wide mouthed, plastic and a screw
lid. Nalgene brand bottles are good. Having an insulated cover
helps keep your drinks from freezing.
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THERMOS FLASK
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SPOON, BOWL AND CUP - Made of unbreakable plastic. A 2 or 3 cup
plastic measuring cup is perfect.
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POCKET KNIFE - The 'Swiss Army' Knife or 'Leatherman' Tool is best.
Minimum need is for a blade, can opener and screw driver. You don't
need all the gadgets and attachments if price is a limiting factor.
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COMPASS - We recommend the "Nexus Pro" model. If you have a choice get
the model with a clinometer.
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SUN AND GLACIER GLASSES - A very important item to have as your eyes
can burn easily from the intense glare of sun and snow. You should get
a pair that have eye shields and that can cut out 100% of UVA and UVB
rays. If you wear prescription glasses make sure you have a good pair
of prescription sunglasses for the course. Have a good storage case
for your sunglasses. Wrap around glasses work ideally for
glacier travel as well.
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SKI GOGGLES - If you have these bring them.
Be prepared to spend some money on getting a pair with durable lenses
that won't fog up.
winter only
SKIING GEAR winter
only
( two choices are telemarking or Alpine Touring/Randonee. Most use
Alpine Touring/Randonee.)
TELEMARKING
We will be skiing in variable conditions often with heavy packs so
what we recommend is a mountain touring set-up which consists of steel
edged touring skis, with a heavy duty telemark-type 75mm nordic norm
binding with a cable system. Sturdy, warm, double telemark boots.
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SKIS: - 1 pair, Look for a ski that is sold as a backcountry or
mountain ski. Salespersons can help you with sizing your ski. Old soft
downhill skis are a good cheap alternative to expensive telemark skis.
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BOOTS: - 1 pair, Whether a leather or plastic boots, these need to be
sturdy, warm and have good ankle support.
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SKINS: - A must have item. Sticky climbing skins for skis. Synthetic
or mohair, Sized to fit ski. Do not get plastic 'snake skins'.
ALPINE OR RANDONEE
Alpine Touring is touring on downhill type skis and ski mountaineering
boots. The technique is entirely different from telemark skiing.
It is more of the classic downhill style. People who have never
skied before should be on Randonee gear.
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SKIS - Lots of mountaineering skis to choose from. A cheaper
alternative is to buy a used pair of downhill skis and put
mountaineering bindings on them. Look for a fairly soft ski with good
flex for back country conditions.
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POLES - with touring baskets, not small racing
style.
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BINDINGS - Silveretta, Fritschi - Diamir or Dynafit tourlite are all
good bindings. We do not recommend using the Alpine Trekker type
binding with a regular ski and binding system. This will not work for
you.
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BOOTS - Comfort is the important factor here. Most ski mountaineering
boots available are good. We do not recommend using downhill boots or
mountaineering boots.
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SKINS - A must have item. Sticky climbing skins for skis. Synthetic or
mohair, sized to fit your ski. Do not get plastic 'snake skins'.
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SKI TIES
Choosing ski gear can be difficult. If you are uncertain as to which
type of gear you would like to ski on, then contact us and we will
help you to make that decision. We instruct both telemark skills and
randonee depending on what type of gear people show up with.
RENTAL INFORMATION . Rentals can be arranged during the course if on
the Fall Semester but needs to be arranged before if on the Spring.
SKIS, SKI BOOTS, CLIMBING SKINS, POLES & BOARDS can be rented from the
following: (boards are only available from MEC)
Canmore : Gear Up - (403 678-1636)
Banff : Mountain Magic - 224 Bear St. (Tel: 403 762-2591)
Calgary : Campus Recreation, University of Calgary - Phys-Ed Building
(Tel: 403 220-5038)
Calgary : M.E.C. - 830-10 Ave. S.W. Calgary (Tel: 403 363-0122)
YOU ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR ARRANGING YOUR OWN RENTALS AND PAYMENT AS
WELL AS RETURNING ANY RENTALS AT THE END OF THE COURSE. PLEASE HAVE
YOUR GEAR ARRANGED PRIOR TO THE SPRING COURSE. YOU CAN ARRANGE RENTALS
DURING COURSE BREAK ON THE FALL COURSE.
SKI GEAR
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SKI POLES - Metal downhill type poles, adjustable poles or avalanche
probe poles.
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AVALANCHE SHOVEL - A small collapsible shovel.'Voile', Lifelink,
Ortovox or S.O.S.
We can supply the following however, if you own any of these items,
please bring them to the course.
CLIMBING SECTION GEAR
Yamnuska provides all of the following gear. If you have any of these
items please bring them along.
CAMPING GEAR
Yamnuska supplies all of the following gear. If you have any of these
items you may wish to bring them along.
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TENT
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STOVE
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COOKSET
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FUEL BOTTLES
OTHER ESSENTIAL AND OPTIONAL ITEMS
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Writing materials, notebook, pens, pencils.
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Garbage bags for lining your pack and stuff sacks.
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Personal 1st aid kit.
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Sewing and repair kit.- should contain needle, thread, wire, tape,
safety pins,- anything which you think may come in handy.
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Sunscreen - at least 23 rating or zinc oxide (total block) sunburn is
a very real and potentially serious problem on the course. get type
that protects lips as well.
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Lip cream
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Blister kit for feet ( moleskin, second skin, tape ...)
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Lighter, candles.
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Foot powder, vitamins, skin cream, nail clippers.
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*Walkman type tape player, small games, hacky-sac, musical instrument.
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*Books to read. heavy philosophical or trashy.
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*Waterproof watch. cheap casio or timex type w/alarm is good.
One with an altimeter is useful
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*Camera with good protective case. bring lots of film.
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*Thermos
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*Umbrella
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*Poly cotton or silk liner for sleeping bag
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*Journal or diary
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*Backpack liner and cover
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*Bathing suit
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*Flip Flops/Sandals
* optional items
STORAGE SPACE IS AVAILABLE YAMNUSKA OFFICE &
HOTEL
LEARN ABOUT GEAR
During the Semester you will have the opportunity to learn lots about
gear and the proper use of the item. You will probably be much better
informed after the course than you are now, hence you will be in a
much better position to judge what you need and where to get it. That
is why we urge you not to go out and wildly purchase everything on
this list but to be creative in securing what you can from friends,
relatives or garage sales. Renting gear that you may never use again
is a great way of saving. As an outdoor recreationist or professional it
is important to select the proper gear so that you may depend on it.
We suggest taking the time to talk to your local gear shop people and
learning as much as you can about items before you make your purchase.
Feel free to call us at Yamnuska (403) 678-4164 or e-mail us
info@yamnuska.com
and we will try to answer any questions that you may have concerning
gear selection or sizing.
As a participant in the Semester courses we feel that you are entitled
to all the help we can give you. We want this course to be one of the
best experiences possible. So do give us a call if you have any
questions.
MARK YOUR GEAR!
Please mark all of your personal gear so that it can be easily
identified as your own. Mark with permanent ink or with an engraver.
YAMNUSKA RENTAL CLIMBING BOOTS
** PLEASE LET US KNOW AS SOON AS POSSIBLE IF YOU WILL NEED TO RENT
THE MOUNTAINEERING AND/OR ROCK SHOES SO THAT WE MAY RESERVE THEM FOR
YOU.
DAMAGE DEPOSIT FOR YAMNUSKA SCHOOL GEAR
A damage deposit of $100.00 is required from each participant prior
to course start. This deposit will be in place to defray the cost of
repairing or replacing any gear that is damaged or lost through
student misuse or inattention. If abnormal damage or loss does not
occur the deposit will be refunded approximately one week after course
end.
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Yamnuska Mountain
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