Gear & Equipment Guide

Layering lets you manage heat and sweat across a huge temperature range — from hot glacier afternoons on the approach to deep cold on summit night.

• Base layers: merino or synthetic tops and leggings, two sets.
• Mid layers: a fleece or light synthetic jacket for active warmth.
• Shell: a waterproof, breathable jacket and trousers.
• Insulation: a heavy down jacket for camp, plus a full 8,000m down suit for the upper mountain.
• Extremities: layered glove system (liners, softshell gloves, down mitts), balaclava, warm hat and sun hat.

Buying guidance

Spend on the down suit and mitts — frostbite risk concentrates in the hands and feet. Try everything on together to make sure layers fit over one another without restricting movement.

• 8,000m boots: triple-layer boots with integrated gaiters, rated for extreme cold.
• Trekking boots: broken-in, waterproof boots for the approach march.
• Camp footwear: insulated booties and sandals or light shoes for base camp.
• Socks: several pairs of liner and thick wool socks.

Buying guidance

Fit high-altitude boots with the socks you will climb in, and allow room for swelling at altitude. Train in them for several months before departure — boots are not something to break in on the glacier.

• Climbing harness that fits over your down suit.
• Crampons compatible with your high-altitude boots.
• Mountaineering ice axe and climbing helmet.
• Ascender (jumar), belay/rappel device, locking and non-locking carabiners, slings and a cow's tail.
• Glacier glasses (category 4) and ski goggles.

Buying guidance

Check crampon fit on your actual boots, and practise clipping and jumaring in thick mitts. Everything on this list is personal kit you bring yourself. As the team, we supply the shared climbing equipment — fixed ropes, high-camp tents and stoves — and, where your expedition includes it or you request it at booking, supplemental oxygen with masks and regulators. Your expedition page lists exactly what is included for your peak.

• Expedition sleeping bag rated to extreme cold, plus a second bag for base camp if required.
• Inflatable sleeping mat plus a closed-cell foam mat.
• Expedition backpack (for the upper mountain) and a large duffel bag for porter loads.
• Headlamp with spare batteries, insulated water bottles and a pee bottle.
• You don't need to bring tents or stoves. We set up base camp with dining and kitchen tents, run the kitchen with our own cooks, and provide the group tents and stoves used at the high camps.

• High-SPF sunscreen and lip balm — UV exposure on glaciers is intense.
• A personal first-aid kit with blister care and any prescribed medications.
• Hand and toe warmers, water treatment, toiletries and a small repair kit.
• Copies of your passport, visa, permits and insurance documents.

Discuss any altitude or prescription medication with your own doctor before travel — this guide does not give medical or dosage advice.