IMG Elbrus Climb Gear List
This equipment list is meant to help you compile your personal gear specifically for our Elbrus expedition. Most items are required. Please consider each item carefully and be sure you understand the function of each piece of equipment before you substitute anything. Despite the reputation Elbrus has as one of the more straight-forward of the Seven Summits, the weather on summit day can be severe, cold and challenging. Cutting corners on your gear can have significant impacts on your summit experience and chances. We're happy to help you make selection and purchase decisions as you pull together the list below.
| Item | Examples/Notes | |
| [ ] | Climbing Backpack, minimum 40L | |
| [ ] | 2 duffel bags | |
| [ ] | Small carry-on/travel bag | |
| [ ] | Ice Axe (50-60 cm) | |
| [ ] | Crampons | |
| [ ] | Adjustable trekking poles | |
| [ ] | Lightweight Climbing Harness | |
| [ ] | Climbing Helmet | |
| [ ] | 1 locking and 1 non-locking carabiner | |
| [ ] | Sleeping bag rated for 20°F or lower | |
| [ ] | Inflatable sleeping pad | |
| [ ] | Double mountaineering boots | |
| [ ] | Gaiters (optional if wearing boots w/ integrated gaiter) | |
| [ ] | Light hiking shoes | |
| [ ] | 2 sets of wool socks (fit these well with your climbing boots) | |
| [ ] | Short sleeve lightweight hiking shirt | |
| [ ] | Long sleeve lightweight hiking shirt | |
| [ ] | Light hiking shorts | |
| [ ] | Light hiking pants | |
| [ ] | 2 Pairs of synthetic underwear | |
| [ ] | 2 sports bras (ladies) | |
| [ ] | Synthetic base layer for legs (long underwear) | |
| [ ] | Soft-shell climbing pants (medium weight soft shell) | |
| [ ] | Waterproof Gore-Tex pants with full-length leg zippers | |
| [ ] | 2 Synthetic upper body base layers | |
| [ ] | 1 or 2 medium weight insulating layers | |
| [ ] | Soft-shell jacket | |
| [ ] | Heavy weight insulated parka (must have hood) | |
| [ ] | Waterproof Gore-Tex jacket | |
| [ ] | Wool/fleece beanie hat that fits under your helmet | |
| [ ] | Light weight gloves | |
| [ ] | Medium weight gloves | |
| [ ] | Heavy weight gloves | |
| [ ] | Buff | |
| [ ] | Glacier glasses | |
| [ ] | Goggles | |
| [ ] | Sunscreen and lip balm (at least 30 spf) | |
| [ ] | 2 wide-mouth Nalgene water bottles | |
| [ ] | Water bottle insulating sleeves | |
| [ ] | Headlamp with extra batteries | |
| [ ] | Camera | |
| [ ] | Power outlet adaptors | |
| [ ] | Toiletries | |
| [ ] | Personal first aid kit:
| Consult with your doctor to acquire high altitude medications and to complete the Physician's Certificate in the application package. |
| [ ] | 2 Large plastic compactor bags | We will use this to line our backpacks to protect our gear from precipitation. |
| [ ] | Pocket knife | Victorinox Swiss Army Wenger |
| [ ] | Alarm wrist watch | ideally an altimeter watch (Casio and Suunto make nice models) |
| [ ] | Casual clothes | Make sure to bring some comfortable clothes for hanging out and going out to dinner. Leave the black tie/dress at home, but classier attire is appropriate at some of the restaurants where we will be dining. |
| [ ] | Bathing suit | For the Russian saunas |
| [ ] | Snack Food | Energy bars, etc, for summit day and while hiking. Bring some snack food you like to eat while climbing!
|
| Ski Expedition Climbers will also need: | ||
| [ ] | skis and bindings with touring mode (preferably Dynafit) | |
| [ ] | instead of double climbing boots: AT or telemark boots (must have walk mode) | |
| [ ] | climbing skins | |
| [ ] | ski crampons | |
| [ ] | avalanche transceiver | |
| [ ] | avalanche probe | |
| [ ] | collapsible shovel | |
| [ ] | day pack (with ski attachment points) | |