Gran Paradiso and Mont Blanc
The following checklist should help you with your packing. As a general rule, you should always try to keep the weight of your equipment to a minimum.
You must bring the following items:
Mountain Boots (see notes below)
Gaiters (long or short)
Socks – technical walking socks are best (2/3 pairs)
Warm mountain trousers/pants
Waterproof over trousers (with leg zips)
Trekking trousers (not cotton)
Long johns
Underwear
Shorts (for non-glacial travel)
Thermal Base Layer x 2 (one with long sleeves for glacier travel)
T-shirt or casual shirt
Fleece jacket or warm jumper
Waterproof jacket (with hood)
Extra warm layer/ duvet jacket – (prima loft or lightweight down)
Sunhat
Warm hat and balaclava
Eyewear – sunglasses – category 3/ 4.
Ski goggles (for snowy/windy conditions)
Thin gloves – leather or thermal
Warm and waterproof gloves/ski gloves
Climbing Rucksack – 35-45 (MAX) litres (no external frame)
Trek Bag (KE)
Head torch – with new battery
Sun Protection (high factor for skin)
Lip salve – with sunscreen
Water bottle 2x 1 litre
Trekking poles x 2 (with baskets)
Small Wash kit
Plastic Bag to keep essentials dry
Sleeping bag liner/sheet sleeping bag (silk is lightest)
Basic First Aid Kit
Mountaineering equipment:
Crampons – MUST be fitted with anti-balling plates
Crampon bag
Ice Axe
Helmet
Mountaineering harness
1 x screw gate karabiner
The following items are optional:
Travel Clothes
Travel Shoes
Earplugs (particularly if you are not the one snoring!)
Camera
Penknife
Small Padlock (for trek bag)
Equipment Notes
Mountaineering Boots: Recommended boots for this trip are comfortable, warm and stiff - to take a crampon securely/deal with cold conditions. Either a B3 or B2 boot will be suitable, but NOT a B1
Crampons: Modern strap on crampons are perfectly acceptable for this climbing trek and will fit any boot. All crampons MUST be fitted with anti-balling plates. ‘Grivel’ crampons - G10 or G12 with a strap system/or semi-strap/heel clip are excellent and they come fitted with anti-balling plates. Make sure they are compatible with your boots.
Equipment hire / rental: The following equipment can be hired from KE: Crampons (with anti-balling plates) and crampon bag; Climbing helmet; Harness (with karabiner); Ice-axe. This can be reserved either when you book your trip or closer to your departure but we advise booking hire equipment as soon as possible to ensure availability. We do not hire mountaineering boots, but there are several shops in Chamonix/Argentiere renting boots that are suitable for this trip.
Sleeping bags/extra shoes: These are NOT required as bedding and hut shoes/slippers are provided at mountain refuges. However, you must bring a sheet sleeping bag
Online advice
PHD Gear Advisor: PHD specialise in cold weather equipment, from the world’s lightest right up to the most protective for Everest or the Poles. It’s a large range. So to help you choose what you need to keep you warm, PHD have listed the gear that is appropriate for this expedition.
>> Click here to go to the PHD Gear Advisor for Mont Blanc Ascent
Needle Sports: Needle Sports is the English Lake District's foremost specialist climbing shop supplying mountaineering, rock, ice, alpine and expedition equipment worldwide. Internationally recognised as among the very best of the UK's top technical climbing gear retailers. They have a good range of equipment appropriate for this trip and offer knowledgeable advice both on their website and in store. View >>http://www.needlesports.com/
