Glacier Climb Packing List | Miyar Adventures


Glacier Climb Packing List


Below is an overview of the Glacier climbing packing items participants should bring for a Mount Baker, Mount Shuksan, Mount Olympus, Glacier Peak, Mount Rainier or similar glacier climb in the Pacific Northwest during the summer months. Please note these are generic suggestions and may change depending on weather, route conditions or other factors.

PLEASE NOTE: The products linked below are recommendations/examples of items that work well for the trip/course but sometimes they may be out of stock. Please reach out to store@miyaradventures.com for alternative recommendations or visit our retail store Ascent Outdoors. The Ascent Outdoors staff are very knowledgeable and can help find you an equivalent product that will work well for your trip!

All trip members get 20% discount on gear purchased from Miyar Adventures online store Or Ascent Outdoors retail store in Ballard. Discount code will be sent out in the confirmation email after trip registration.

Climbing Gear for Glacier Climb Backpacking

EQUIPMENT DESCRIPTIONGuide Recommended
(CLICK TO BUY/VIEW ITEM)
  • Crampons (make sure these fit with your boot type)
  • Petzl Irvis
    		•
  • Ice Axe
  • Petzl Summit Evo
  • Petzl Glacer Ice Axe
  • Black Diamond Raven Ice Axe
    • Climbing Gear
  • Climbing Harness
  • Petzl Tour
  • Petzl Altitude or
    		•
  • Hiking Poles (Recommended)
  • MSR Dynalock Backcountry Poles
  • (3) Three locking carabiners -or-
  • 1 tripple-action locking carabiner and 1 screw-gate
  • 1 Petzl Sm'D Triact Lock
  • 1 Petzl Sm'D Screw
  • (1) 5 ft. piece of 5mm Sterling brand nylon cord to tie a prusik loop.
  • 5mm Sterling Accessory Cord
    		•

    Backpacks for Glacier Climb Packing List

    EQUIPMENTDESCRIPTIONGuide Recommended
    (CLICK TO BUY/VIEW ITEM)
    Backpack
    • 55-70 liter backpack for 2 to 3 day trips
  • 65-75 liter backpack for 4 to 5 day trips
  • Deuter Air Contact Lite 65+10
  • Deuter Aircontact Pro 70+15

    • Pack liner or Contractor bag to waterproof the inside of your pack.

  • Osprey Ultralight Packliner
  • Husky or Hefty Brand, 3 mil, 44 gallon
    		•

    Sleeping Bags for Glacier Climb Backpacking List

    EQUIPMENT DESCRIPTIONGuide Recommended
    (CLICK TO BUY/VIEW ITEM)
  • 800 or 850 fill down sleeping bag rated to about 20F
  • Thermarest Hyperion 20 -or-
  • Big Agnes Torchlight UL 20 -or--
  • Big Agnes Torchlight UL 20 Womens
  • Thermarest Hyperion 20 -or-
    • Sleeping
  • Sleeping bag compression sack
  • Outdoor Research Ultralight Compression Sack
    		•
  • Sleeping Pad (Inflatable is best by far)
  • Thermarest NeoAir Xlite

    • Tent for Glacier Climb Backpacking List

    EQUIPMENTDESCRIPTIONPRODUCT RECOMMENDATION (CLICK TO BUY/VIEW ITEM)

    Miyar Adventures provides tents for trip members. A rental code will be provided near the start date of your trip and you will pick up your rental at Ascent Outdoors. If you prefer to buy & bring your own tent here are our recommendations:

    Three or four season tents will work as long as they can withstand wind to 35mph and are waterproof. No tarps, bivi bags, or floorless shelters please. Avoid non namebrand tents, as these often leak or are destroyed by wind. If you are not sharing your tent you can still use a 2-person tent and place your backpack inside the tent. A two-person tent should weigh less than 5 lbs. MSR Access 1 or 2 (good for larger people)

    Tents
    • Tent
    • 2 to 3mm Cord for tying the tent to rocks (stakes usually do not work). Attach 5 ft. pieces of cord to all tie-outs and stake loops before leaving home.
    • Large stuff-sack or garbage bag for stuffing the wet tent into your bag

    See note above

    • 2 to 3mm Cord for tying the tent to rocks (stakes usually do not work). Attach 5 ft. pieces of cord to all tie-outs and stake loops before leaving home.

    Shoes for Glacier Climb Backpacking List

    EQUIPMENTDESCRIPTIONGuide Recommended
    (CLICK TO BUY/VIEW ITEM)
    • Mountaineering Boots with a rigid sole (crampon compatible)
  • Optional: Liner Socks (very thin synthetic or wool)
  • Medium weight hiking or ski socks (3 pairs)
  • Smartwool Pro PhD Mountaineering Socks
    		•
    Feet
  • Gaiters
  • Outdoor Research Crocodile Gaiters Women's
  • Outdoor Research Verglas Gaiters Women's
  • Outdoor Research Crocodile Gaiters Men's
  • Outdoor Research Verglas Gaiters Men's
    		•
  • Crampons (also listed under "climbing equipment")

    • Head Gear for Glacier Climb Backpacking

    EQUIPMENT DESCRIPTIONGuide Recommended
    (CLICK TO BUY/VIEW ITEM)
    • Headlamp (at least 300 lumens)
  • Climbing Helmet (also listed under climbing gear)
  • Petzl Sirocco Helmet
    		•
    Head
  • Fleece hat/beanie that fits well under a helmet
  • Smartwool Merino 150
  • Arc'Teryx Rho LTW Beanie
    		•
  • Buff/Neck Tube
  • OR Echo Ubertube
  • Glacier Glasses
  • Julbo EXPLORER 2.0 Sunglasses
  • Julbo Shield
  • Julbo Montebianco 2 Sunglasses
  • Glacier Glasses to go over prescription glasses
  • Cocoons Black Polarized Sunglasses

    • Gloves for Glacier Climb Backpacking

    EQUIPMENTDESCRIPTIONGuide Recommended
    (CLICK TO BUY/VIEW ITEM)
    Hands
    • 1 pair hand warmers
  • 1 pair softshell gloves with good dexterity
    		•
  • 1 pair heavy gloves or mitts (should be waterproof)
  • Outdoor Research Mt. Baker Modular Mitt
    		•

    Baselayers for Glacier Climb Backpacking

    EQUIPMENTDESCRIPTIONGuide Recommended
    (CLICK TO BUY/VIEW ITEM)
    • Short Sleeve synthetic TShirt (1)
  • Long Sleeve hooded sun shirt (1)
  • Outdoor Research Echo Hoody
    • Baselayers
  • Briefs/Undergarments/SportsBra
  • Mid weight Long Johns top (1)
  • Smartwool Merino 250
  • Mid weight Long Johns bottom (1)
  • Smartwool Merino 150

    • Out Layers for Glacier Climb Backpacking

    EQUIPMENTDESCRIPTIONGuide Recommended
    (CLICK TO BUY/VIEW ITEM)
    • Soft Shell Mountain Pants
  • Grid Fleece Hoody
  • Mammut Aconcagua Light MI Jacket
  • Arc'teryx Delta Lt Hoody Men's
    		•
    Outer Layers
  • Puffy Jacket or Parka- Synthetic or Down
  • Mammut Meron Hooded Jacket
  • Outdoor Research Women's Helium Down Hoodie
  • Outdoor Research Men's Helium Down Hoodie
  • Waterproof Jacket
  • Outdoor Research Helium II
    		•
  • Waterproof Pants (side zippers recommended)
  • Outdoor Research Foray Pants
    		•

    Water Bottles for Glacier Climb Backpacking

    EQUIPMENTHydration (3 liter capacity minimum)Guide Recommended
    (CLICK TO BUY/VIEW ITEM)
    • Collapsible waterbottles with a three-liter capacity (total). Ex: Hydrapak flux or seeker. These are compatible with a BeFree Filter and can accept hot liquids.
    Hydration (3 liter capacity minimum)
  • Water filter (recommended). We will provide chemical water treatment for those who choose not to filter. Our favorite filter system is a Katadyn BeFree Filter cap combined with a Hydrapak flux or seeker bottle. Do not bring a BeFree collapsible bottle (commonly sold with the cap) as these are very easily punctured and seldom survive a trip.
  • BeFree Filter Cap (cap only)
    		•

    If you decide to use a hydration bladder rather than collapsible water bottles you increase the risk that your water will leak inside your pack. It is also difficult to refill from streams along the route. If you still prefer this we suggest an MSR drom or dromlite bag with a hydration hose (sold separately as a hydration kit). These bladders are more resistant to leaking when backpacks are packed tightly.

    Eating Equipment for Glacier Climb Backpacking

    EQUIPMENTDESCRIPTIONGuide Recommended
    (CLICK TO BUY/VIEW ITEM)
    • Light-weight bowl (this will double as a cup for hot drinks)
    Eating
  • Light-weight spoon (long spoons are good for dehydrated meals)
  • Spoon
  • 8 to 12 Liter stuff sack (for storing food in your tent)
  • Sealline Blockerlite Dry Sack
    		•
  • Lighter for stoves
    • EQUIPMENT DESCRIPTIONGuide Recommended
    (CLICK TO BUY/VIEW ITEM)
    Pooping
    • One human waste disposal bag (poop bag) is required per day of the trip- even for day trips. We will carry-out all of our human waste and trash. CleanWaste Go Anywhere bags are available for purchase from our shop in Redmond.

    Cold Weather Clothes for Glacier Climb Backpacking

    EQUIPMENTDESCRIPTIONGuide Recommended
    (CLICK TO BUY/VIEW ITEM)
    • Fleece pants or expedition weight long johns
  • Extra down jacket or vest that layers under a larger puffy jacket
  • Arcteryx Atom LT
  • North Face Stretch Down Jacket
    • If low temps are expected to be 20F or lower also bring:
  • Balaclava
  • Outdoor Research Option Balaclava
    		•
  • 1 liter thermos bottle
  • GSI Microlite 750

    • The thermos bottle can count toward your 3-liter water capacity.

    Personal Care Items for Glacier Climb Backpacking

    Personal Care Items
    • Sunscreen (1 oz to 2 oz tube)
    • bug spray and possibly headnet
    • Lip Balm with sunscreen
    • Lighter
    • Headlamp (also listed under "head")
    • Extra Batteries (lithium batteries last longer in cold)
    • Water purification tablets
    • Small First Aid Kit/Blister kit
    • Ibuprofen, Excedrin, Tylenol, Asprin
    • Cell Phone - Make sure it's fully charged
    • Cell Phone Charger & Car Adapter
    • Directions to trailhead
    • Personal Locater Beacon (Optional)
    • GPS (Optional)
    • Toilet Paper (only what you need for the trip)
    • Small hand sanitizer bottle
    • Three ziplock bags for packing out toilet paper and trash
    • Small Toothbrush/Toothpaste tube
    • Ear Plugs (Optional)
    • CleanWate Go Anywhere Bags for human waste disposal
    • Zip Lock bags for waterproofing small items
    • Camera
    • Waterproof camera case
    • Spare camera battery (charged)

    Food Item Ideas for Glacier Climb Backpacking

    Food

    A meal plan for a three-day climb includes 2 breakfasts, 3 lunches with snacks, and two dinners. Adjust this plan according to your trip schedule.

    The following are suggestions, not requirements

    • Breakfast
    • Tea/Coffee with powdered milk and sugar
    • Granola with nuts and powdered milk
    • Instant oatmeal with nuts and powdered milk
    • Croissants with brie and prosciutto
    • Freeze Dried (Alpine Aire, Mountain House)
    • Lunch
    • 2 Energy Bars/Day. 3 to 4 for summit day.
    • Energy Gu or energy chews (2 for summit day)
    • Electrolyte powder like gatoraid (3 servings)
    • High Calorie Trail Mix
    • Dried Fruit like dried mango
    • Sour gummy candies like gummy bears
    • Turkey Jerky
    • Dinner (this should only require hot water for cooking)
    • Freeze Dried (Backacpkers Pantry, Mountain House)
    • Tasty Bites and rice/couscous
    • Chocolate or cookies for dessert
    • Hot chocolate and powdered milk