Kit List

Suggested Kit List and Club Gear

The following kit list is adapted from various sources, including "Mountain Leader Training Handbooks - Volume 1" by Steve Long, and is very comprehensive. Please do not let this list put you off coming on a meet, in may cases you will be able to borrow gear, or there are some things that you might be able to do without. If in doubt speak to one of our members and they will advise you, or email the committee.

Items for all Mountaineering Days:

• Rucksack (for a day meet a bag of roughly 30 litres should be fine, for a bothy meet a second bag of roughly 70 litres will probably be required)
• Rucksack liner, a sturdy bin bag will do

Clothing

Base layer

to wick moisture away from your skin

• Breathable base layer t-shirt (long or short sleeved)
• Longjohns (thermal leggings) – only needed in the depths of winter

Mid layer

Insulating layer which may additionally have wind-proofing properties:

• Fleece or similar warm top
• Trousers (no denim!)

Outer layer

Waterproof and windproof layer.

• Strong walking boots with a good, deep tread sole, the stiffer the better especially if you're going to be using crampons
• Waterproof jacket (ideally breathable)
• Waterpoof trouser (ideally with side zips to put on over boots)
• Hat or balaclava
• Gloves (+ at least one spare pair)
• Socks, one pair for each day (with liners)

Miscelaneous kit

• Headtorch with spare batteries (LED recommended) – Longer walks can finish in the dark, so this is quite important
• Whistle
• Map, Compass (know how to use these or ask a commitee member)
• Personal medication and blister kit (Compeed recommended)
• Water bottle (1+litre)
• Watch
• Survival bag

Food

At all times on the hill keep an emergency ration. This needs to be high energy food, fruit will not do. A couple of Mars Bars or Lion Bars might be ideal; clearly these aren't part of your pack lunch and are to be eaten in the event of an emergency. For lunch bring bread and filling for a sandwich, plenty of fruit, chocolate bars, pork pies, hot soup and cakes etc. Remember you will have to carry this so think of the weight of the food you are going to bring.

For overnight trips (i.e. camping or bothying) some suggestions might be:

• Breakfast: Cereal with milk, cereal bars or fruit.
• Supper: Pasta, pre cooked casserole or curry are always popular choices.

Fluids

Whenever you are on the hill always try and take a hot drink which becomes very welcoming if the weather turns dire. For overnight trips there will generally be a supply of fresh water available. When taking water from a stream you should boil it for three minutes before using to kill bacteria and germs or use purification tablets. In practice we generally don't.

Additional items required for overnight trips

• Roll mat
• Sleeping bag (minimum three season recommended)
• Toilet roll (almost certainly will be provided but better safe than sorry!)
• Cutlery (generally only needed if camping, if unsure check with committee)
• Mug (generally only needed if camping, if unsure check with committee)
• Something to eat in - mess tins are ideal (generally only needed if camping, if unsure check with committee)
• Tent (obviously only if camping)
• Stove (generally only needed for camping trips - check with committee if not sure)

Additional items that may be required if conditions are wintry

The club can provide these items, see below

• Helmet
• Crampons
• Ice axe/s

Optional Items

• Camera
• Mobile phone
• Sunglasses and sun cream
• Money for chips/pint at the end of the day

Club Gear

Below is a list of gear which can be borrowed if you talk to the Gear officer, at least a few days before you need it

General Equipment

• 1 Group shelter (The Infamous Livi Bivi)
• 2 Large First Aid Kits
• 1 Sleeping Bag
• 4 Roll Mats
• 1 Car Jack (?!?)

Climbing

• 10 Helmets
• 11 Harnesses
• 3 50m, 10mm single ropes (for outdoor leads)
• 3 50m, 10.5mm single ropes (for top roping only)
• 2 sets of 50m, 9mm half ropes

The Club Rack

• 8 60cm slings
• 4 120cm slings
• 2 240cm slings
• 1 set of rocks on wire
• 5 Quickdraws (12cm)
• 5 ATC Belay Plates (with HMS screw gates)

Winter Gear

• 1 set Technical Ice Axes
• 10 Walking Axes
• 4 pairs crampons

St Andrews University Mountaineering Club Site
http://staumc.co.uk/staticpages/index.php/KitList