Equipment for Scottish Winter Guiding

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
For mountaineering and introductory climbing, stiff-soled leather boots (eg Scarpa Fitzroy) are OK. For harder climbing, a plastic boot is needed (Koflach, Asolo, Scarpa). Boots can be hired from a local outdoor shop, at approx £5 per day, if booked in advance. Please check your size by trying on a pair in a climbing shop (no half sizes available for hire).
*Crampons
These should have ten or twelve points, and must have front points, eg Grivel G12. They can be clip-on or strap-on, depending on what fits best with your boots. Anti-balling plates are recommended.
*Ice axe/*ice hammer
For general mountaineering, a 55-65cm axe is needed. Climbing requires a shorter hammer and axe (50-55cm), with either an inclined (banana) pick or a drooped pick. A wrist loop should be fitted to all climbing tools, but is not needed on a mountaineering axe.
#Climbing Harness
For climbing only. With adjustable leg-loops, so it can be fitted over thick clothing without removing boots and crampons, eg Black Diamond Bod style
#Climbing Helmet
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. Lightweight waterproofs are inadequate in severe winter conditions.
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
Gaiters
A neoprene strap is much better than a shoelace to go under the boot.
#8' sling with screwgate karabiner
Not need for walking.
#Belay plate with screwgate karabiner
eg Black Diamond XTC. Needed for climbing only.
#Ice screw & stopper
Charlet Moser Laser or Grivel Extrabite. For climbing only.
Rock boots
Bring if you have them - useful for a climbing wall session in bad weather.
Gloves
Three pairs are essential to allow for drying, eg Dachstein or other woollen mitts, ski gloves, and thin gloves.
Bivvi bag
Large polythene survival bag
Headtorch with spare batteries
eg Petzl Tikka XP
Ski Goggles or Sun Glasses
Useful for protecting eyes against wind, spindrift, and possible sun.
First aid kit
Small personal pack including treatment for blisters
Water bottle
eg Nalgene, or Platypus/Camelback (better if insulated): 1 - 1.5 litres. eg Nalgene, or Platypus/Camelback (better if insulated): 1 - 1.5 litres. A flask is great for hot drinks on the hill.
Sun screen and lip salve
It could be sunny!!
Clothing
Should include hat x2, thermal top & bottom, fleece top(s) (two thin better than one thick), tracksuit trousers or lightweight trousers, walking socks, etc.
Compass, map, watch, whistle
Maps should be weatherproofed in strong clear plastic bag or covered in clear fablon or protected by a map case - Ortlieb cases are excellent. Sheets 41 & 34, 1:50,000. A watch with an alarm is very useful.
Camera