Clothing and Equipment for Mountain Walking
The following kit list of clothing and equipment for mountain walking should be useful in deciding what to wear/take in summer conditions (i.e. no snow or ice is present in any quantity). (If you are going on a mountain challenge event then you will probably want to carry less, so here is a different kit list for an event such as the Yorkshire Three Peaks Challenge.)
Main Clothing
- Base-layer top (Synthetic or synthetic/wool blend. Never cotton – “cotton kills”)
- Trousers (such as light-weight soft-shell)
- Insulation layer – combination of fleeces and/or Primaloft jackets
- Windproof layer – can be a separate jacket or part of another garment, such as a Pertex outer on a Primaloft jacket
- Hard-shell waterproof jacket (with a good range of large pockets)
- Waterproof over-trousers (with side zips if possible)
- ***Emergency Jacket. This is not part of the insulation layers that you will wear during the day. This is an additional jacket that you do not plan on wearing, but which will save your life as you shiver away the night hours waiting for a Mountain Rescue team to reach you. Climbers may also know this is as a ‘belay jacket’. It should be a good Primaloft jacket with a water resistant outer (Primaloft performs better than down when wet). A jacket such as the Mountain Equipment Citadel is a good example.
Footwear
- Socks
- Boots (or approach shoes/trail runners depending on experience and ankle strength)
Head and Hands
- Hat
- Fleece buff or scarf
- Thin thermal gloves (to wear on the high-output approach or ascent)
- Thicker waterproof/insulated gloves (but not ski-gloves, which have no dexterity)
Equipment
- Head-torch plus spare batteries
- Map (Harvey maps are definitely recommended but OS Landranger 1:50000 and/or Explorer 1:25000 are also fine)
- Compass
- Whistle
- Mobile phone and waterproof case (optional, but ubiquitous)
- Rucksack 20-35 litres (depending on activity)
- Dry-bags for packing stuff in
- Bivi bag/survival bag/group shelter
- Simple repair kit (cable ties, sticky tape, superglue)
- Personal medication (and simple treatments, eg blister kit)
- Thermos flask and/or water bottle
- Lunch snacks
- Notebook & pen
- WAG Bag for toilet waste
- Trekking poles (optional – if you prefer them)
If camping:
- Sleeping bag
- Sleeping mat
- Tent
- Stove
- Cooking equipment – pot, mug, cutlery etc
- Food
- WAG Bag for toilet waste
- Rubbish bags
Recommended reading:
- http://www.mountain-training.org/publications/hill-walking
- http://www.mountain-training.org/publications/navigation
- http://www.mountain-training.org/publications/rock-climbing
