TREKKING POLES

Collapsible skiing/trekking poles. Three section, adjustable-height models are preferred.

FOOTWEAR

HIKING SOCKS

Four or five pairs of midweight to heavyweight hiking socks. Choose wool or synthetic socks. Newer socks offer increased loft, warmth, and padding than older socks. Your socks must fit comfortably over liner socks if you choose to use liner socks. Plan to dedicate one pair of socks to use around camp and when sleeping on very cold nights.

GAITERS

Waterproof gaiters sized to fit your boots snugly. Tall mountaineering gaiters or shorter trekking gaiters are both sufficient.

CRAMPONS

Crampons are made of steel alloy, light weight aluminium, or a combination of the two. Lighter weight crampons are best for hiking expecially through the summit zone.

HIKING BOOTS

Waterproof hiking boots designed for hiking in cool to cold conditions. Modern, lightly insulated boots with room in the toe box and good support should be stressed. Models like the Scarpa Terra GTX are ideal.

SHORT UNDERWEAR

Two to three pairs. Synthetic or wool fabrics only; bring a comfortable athletic style for any top and bottom underwear.

HIKING SHIRTS

One or two short-sleeved outdoor t-shirts for hiking on warm days. "Tech tees" work well for this, as they are synthetic and quick-drying.

BASELAYER BOTTOM

Non-cotton baselayer bottoms that should fit snugly without constriction.

HEAVY BASELAYER BOTTOMS

Heavy, expedition-weight baselayer bottoms designed to be used while climbing in very cold conditions. Fabrics such as Polartec Power Stretch, Capilene 4, and Polartec Power Dry will work well.

BASELAYER TOP

One to two long-sleeved baselayer tops. Baselayers must be constructed of a non- cotton material such as merino wool or polyester. Note that light-colored, hooded baselayers are strongly recommended for sun protection, and are worn by most guides.

MIDLAYER TOP

A midweight, form-fitting, lightweight fleece layer for use over baselayers. Hoods are optional but recommended.

TREKKING PANTS

Bring one or two pairs of lightweight nylon trekking pants for the hot portions of the climb. Some prefer to bring zip-off styles, while others bring a pair of trekking shorts instead of a second pair of trekking pants. These also work well on safari!

SOFTSHELL PANTS

Stretchy, comfortable, non-insulated softshell pants that should fit comfortably with or without your baselayer bottoms. Please note that "zip-off"-style trekking pants are too light to be considered softshell pants.

SOFTSHELL JACKET

This breathable but wind-and-weather resistant jacket is a key part of a mountaineering layering system. We recommend a hooded model. This layer must fit well over your midlayer top and baselayer top.

HARDSHELL PANTS

Non-insulated, fully waterproof shell pants that must fit comfortably over your baselayer bottoms and softshell pants. Full-length separating size zippers are strongly preferred; shorter side zippers are allowed if you can put on and take off your pants without removing your footwear.

LIGHTWEIGHT INSULATED JACKET

We recommend a lightweight insulated jacket to serve either as a layering piece or as stand-alone insulation when appropriate. This may be filled with down or synthetic insulation.

INSULATED DOWN PARKA

This jacket or parka should be heavily insulated with high-quality down fill. We recommend an overall parka weight between 1.5 and 2.5 pounds. For warmth, a hood is required. Down sweaters or light puffy jackets will not be sufficient.

INSULATED SYNTHETIC PANTS

A synthetic insulated pant with full-length separating side zips. Ski pants are typically not appropriate for this layer.

LIGHTWEIGHT LINER GLOVES

Very lightweight wool or synthetic liner gloves that offer a snug, comfortable fit. Lighter colors absorb less sunlight while still offering UV protection. Black or dark- color gloves are also acceptable.

SOFTSHELL GLOVES

Midweight, lightly insulated gloves for use when mittens are too warm and liner gloves are not warm enough. Leather-palm construction is always ideal for the sake of durability.

INSULATED MITTENS

Waterproof shell mittens with removable insulating liners. We recommend that your liner gloves can fit inside the mitten system as well.

BUFF

A must-have for all outdoor activities, the UV Buff is a versatile replacement for the bandana and serves a multitude of purposes.

SUN HAT

Any style of lightweight hat for shading the head and the back of the neck will work well.

BALACLAVA

One mid-to-heavyweight balaclava for face protection in very windy or stormy conditions. Choose a model that will fit comfortably over your head. Models with nose and mouth coverage can be nice, but a scuba-style opening can also suffice.

WOOL/SYNTHETIC SKI HAT

A non-cotton wool or synthetic hat that covers the head and ears comfortably.

SUNGLASSES

High-quality, UV-blocking sunglasses with good all-around protection are recommended. A good fit is critical for comfort- try on glasses to check for a comfy fit and good light blockage. Keep in mind that high-quality lenses are an absolute must due to mountain sun.

HEADLAMP

A modern outdoor LED headlamp offering 90-200 lumens of output. Freshly installed batteries plus spare batteries. Weather-resistant models are strongly preferred

BOUNDARY BAG

Traditionally used for whitewater activities, these burly, roll-top waterproof bags are required for protecting your gear. Be sure your bag is approximately 115 liters in size, and has backpack-style shoulder straps for ease of carriage.

SMALL PACK

An internal frame climbing/trekking pack of approximately 32-40 liters in carrying capacity. Emphasize simple, lightweight designs

SLEEPING BAG

Whether filled with down or synthetic insulation, your sleeping bag should be rated to approximately 0-degrees Fahreheit and feature a collared hood for warmth. Be sure to include a compression stuff sack. Weather conditions and your body temperature needs may effect what rating of sleeping bag you require. Please call with questions.

SLEEPING MATTS

WATER BOTTLES

Two to three one-litre capacity bottles. Bottles should be wide mouth made of co- polyester (BPA free plastic). No water bag or bladder systems (they freeze or are hard to fill) and no metal bottles (they have a tendency to freeze).

SMALL DUFFEL

This item can double as carry-on luggage for your flight, and is used to store any items you do not plan to take into the mountains. Think light and simple, with 40-50 liters of total capacity. Bring a travel lock for peace of mind.

TOILETRY BAG

Include toilet paper (stored in a plastic bag), hand sanitizer, toothbrush, toothpaste, floss, and wet wipes. Choose a quantity appropriate for the length of your trip, and call the Gear Department with any questions about these items.

SUNSCREEN

One to two ounces of SPF 30+ sunscreen. Varieties with zinc-oxide are more protective! One ounce is typically sufficient per week, but several small tubes can offer insurance against lost or exploded tubes. Sunscreen loses SPF rating over time; we strongly recommend brand-new sunscreen.

LIPSCREEN

Several tubes of SPF 30+ lipscreen. As with sunscreen, be sure your lipscreen is new.

HAND AND TOE WARMERS

Bring three sets of each. Please note that toe warmers are different than hand warmers. They are formulated to work in a lower oxygen environment, like the inside of a boot, they also burn out more quickly.

For those joining us on the extended Lemosho itinerary, we recommed bringing a total of 4-6 pairs of socks, 5-7 pairs of underwear, 3 short-sleeved baselayer tops, and 3 long-sleeved baselayer tops. This small number of extra items will allow you an additional change of clothing.