Equipment for Icefall Climbing

If you don't have any of these items, don't panic! Give us a call for advice on what to buy. Items marked * can be hired from us for £5 per item per day. Items marked # are provided free of charge if you don't have your own, and must be replaced if lost.

Boots
Leather mountaineering boots, eg La Sportiva Nepal Extreme Evo or Scarpa Freney XT, are best, but plastic boots (Koflach, Asolo, Scarpa) are also OK. Boots can be hired locally if you don't want to buy them specially for your trip, at around 10-15 euros per day.
*Crampons
These should have minimum twelve points, and must have agressive ice climbing front points, eg Petzl Charlet M10 or Grivel Rambo. Anti-balling plates are strongly recommended.
*Ice axe/*ice hammer
Technical axe and hammer (50-55cm), with an inclined (banana) pick. A wrist loop should be fitted to all climbing tools, unless designed for "leashless" climbing.
#Climbing Harness
With adjustable leg-loops, so it can be fitted over thick clothing without removing boots and crampons, eg Black Diamond Bod style.
#Climbing Helmet
Gaiters
A neoprene strap is much better than a shoelace to go under the boot.
Waterproof jacket and over trousers
Trousers should have at least a knee-length zip so they can be fitted over boots and crampons, a full-length zip in the legs is preferable. The jacket should have a good hood that will fit over your helmet.
Gloves and Hat
One pair of warm ski gloves or mittens, one pair of thin fleece gloves, one warm hat, one sun hat or cap, and a buff as a spare hat or neck protection.
Rucksack
50-55 litres, eg Lowe Alpine Attack. A strong plastic liner is essential for keeping contents dry.
Walking poles
Transfer some of the strain from your legs to your arms
#8' sling with screwgate karabiner
#Belay plate with screwgate karabiner
eg Black Diamond XTC or Guide, must be compatible with 8mm ropes
#Ice screw & stopper
Black Diamond Express
Prussik loops
3 prussiks if you already have them, or 4m of 5-6mm soft cord to make them up when you arrive.
Bivvi bag
Large polythene survival bag
Headtorch with spare batteries
eg Petzl Tikka XP
Glacier Glasses
plus spare pair of sunglasses if you have them. Essential to protect eyes against sun and snow glare. Glasses must fit close to your face, or have side panels to prevent light leakage.
First aid kit
Small personal pack including treatment for blisters
Water bottle/flask
eg Nalgene, or Platypus/Camelback (better if insulated): 1 - 1.5 litres. Small stainless steel flask.
Ear plugs
Very useful when sleeping in mountain huts. Can be bought at chemist or DIY shop
Sun screen
Factor 15 minimum for skin, plus total block for lips
Lightweight sheet sleeping bag
For using in mountain huts
Clothing
Should include thermal top & bottom, fleece top(s) (two thin better than one thick), tracksuit trousers or lightweight trousers, walking socks, t-shirts, duvet jacket, etc.
Compass, map, watch
Maps should be weatherproofed in strong clear plastic bag or covered in clear fablon or protected by a map case - Ortlieb cases are excellent. A watch with an alarm is very useful.
Mobile phone
Towel & wash kit
Camera
Current passport and Alpine climbing insurance
Money
Local currency can be obtained using Visa and debit cards from cash machines. Some mountain huts and telepheriques accept Visa