Alpine Mountaineering Equipment (Summer)

ISM has a large stock of mountaineering equipment which is lent to clients at no extra charge. Experienced climbers will find it best to bring their own tried and tested personal equipment.

Your Guide / ISM will supply all ropes and climbing hardware, however people taking the Technical Alpin-ISM course are requested to bring a rack of nuts, 6 quickdraws and 3-4 ice screws if they already own them. A gear rack (with 1-2 ice screws) is also useful on our Classic Alpin-ISM course.

Technical Equipment which ISM can provide (FREE OF CHARGE - however we do expect you to replace any items you lose)

Rucksack
Ice axe
Ice hammer
Crampons
Helmet
Harness
Belay device and karabiner
Ropes and technical hardware (the rack)

Personal Clothing note

Dressing properly for the mountains can make the difference between an enjoyable trip and an uncomfortable one. Clothing should give the right degree of warmth for the activity, wick perspiration and be easy to ventilate. You should avoid clothes made from cotton as they become cold and clammy when wet.

Recommended Retailers - We are pleased to recommend retailers who stock a comprehensive range of mountaineering equipment and who give good service to ISM clients. The retailers below can offer expert advice and provide excellent mail order services. Please click on the image to reach their websites.

Equipment List

Clothing and General equipment

Waterproof, breathable jacket (Goretex or similar)
Waterproof trousers (lighter weight. Full length zips for technical courses are extremely useful).
Rigid mountaineering boots (please see Boots section for further details.)
Gaiters (in breathable fabric).
Rock shoes Essential on technical courses, (please see Boots section for further details.)
Warm Gloves
Inner gloves for hand protection and warmth whilst climbing.
Thermal Top (a wicking base layer, long sleeves are good to protect the arms from sun).
Mid layer thermal Top (layers are much more versatile at regulating your body temperature).
Soft Shell or Fleece Jacket.
Mountain trousers - tough, allowing free movement and giving some warmth & wind resistance. Not cotton.
Warm hat to fitunder a helmet.
Loop stitch socks, and spares.
Map Not essential. The guide will have the correct map. May be purchased during the course or in advance form Stanfords: www.stanfords.co.uk
Compass and whistle (optional).
Head torch and batteries
Rucksack 45 to 55 litres A simple design works best for climbing, i.e. with no side pockets or frame.
Small personal first aid kit (‘Compeed’ and tape for blisters and pain killers such as aspirin or ibuprofen).
Water Bottle or ’Camelback’ (1litre or 1 ½ litres recommended). NB. Camelback’s external tubes can freeze in very cold conditions, and sharp items in the pack may burst the bag.
Pen Knife (to use for packed lunches)
Sunglasses (‘glacier’ quality, CE rated 3 or 4)
Sun cream (factor 25+, total block) and lip block
Sun Hat (wide brim to cover ears).
Cotton Scarf (can be used as a small towel for the hut as well as stopping your neck getting sunburnt)
Shorts (for hut walks in hot weather, and for rock climbing at lower altitudes).
T-shirt (a spare to wear in the hut).
Toothbrush and toothpaste
Money (for drinks & sundries), Passport (and Alpine Club or BMC card if you are a member)
Trekking Poles (if you normally use them) - esp. for Trek & Summit weeks but useful generally.
Ear plugs for hut nights
Camera - compact recommended
Training/Approach shoes (for travelling and evening wear)
Spare clothes for wearing in the valley (during away courses we usually have one valley night in which to freshen up).

Mountaineering Equipment which can be supplied by ISM if necessary

Ice axe (55 to 70cms long, depending on your height). Standard curved mountaineering axes such as those made by Petzl Charlet are ideal for summer courses. A longer axe is better for trekking and a shorter one (55cms) better for climbing. Climbing Technology Alpine Tour ice axe.
Ice hammer (45 to 50cms, sometimes needed for ‘technical alpine climbing’ summer ).
Crampons with anti balling plates, e.g. Petzl Charlet or Grivel. Climbing Technology Nuptse crampon range.
Helmet - polycarbonate/plastic helmets seems to be hardest wearing, Climbing Technology free air or Stark helmet range.
Harness - with adjustable leg loops, and gear loops either side. Climbing Technology Ledge Harness
Belay plate with large (HMS, pear shaped) locking karabiner. Climbing Technology Doble V Row or Doble with a Climbing Technology Concept HMS karabiner.

Mountaineering Equipment which you need to bring

Large locking karabiner (preferably HMS) for belays etc. Zero-G Atom HMS Karabiner
Prusik Cord (x2) with snapgate karabiner. Prusik Cord is generally 5 or 6mm in diameter & 130cm in length. The prusik cord is knotted together using a fishermans knot, this tied loop of cord can now be used to make prusik knots.(prusiks are used in crevasse rescue and when ascending ropes which is called prusiking)
Sewn tape sling A 120cm Sewn Dyneema tape sling is perfect for snow & rock belays. Zero-G 120cm Dyneema open sling.

You can buy your climbing hardware on-line and direct from Mountain Works at http://www.mountain-works.co.uk/. Cathy and Paul are happy to help with any questions or enquires regarding equipment found on their website - please tel:017683 62782 or email: info@mountain-works.co.uk
Mountain Works are also offering a 15% discount on any purchases from their website to ISM clients booked onto a course. You will find the 15% discount code on your booking form receipt, which you can enter on-line when making a booking.

PLEASE NOTE - Sleeping bags are NOT required as huts provide blankets, but light cotton or silk sleeping bag liners are recommended and some huts insist on them.

BUYING EQUIPMENT - For a list of other recommended retailers in the UK and discount arrangements, please go to our Links page by CLICKING HERE.

For Boots and Crampons - Guidance notes, please click here