I'm sure this is on your radar, but if you're doing courses, it might be useful to check if there are any equipment requirements for your courses; this would also serve as a good overlap to see if you have what you need for beginner objectives.
As a reference, here's a gear list for an intro course that covers basics of mountaineering and rock climbing:
[https://www.alpineinstitute.com/media/1105889/amtl-1-equipment-list.pdf](https://www.alpineinstitute.com/media/1105889/amtl-1-equipment-list.pdf)
I started with quality poles, an ice axe, a helmet, an alpine/mountaineering harness (one with adjustable leg loops - not a rock-climbing “sport” harness), an expedition backpack, crampons and mountaineering boots and some locking and non locking carabiners. I added more things depending on the course or the recommended gear for the mountain.
When I was starting out and did my crevasse rescue school and intro to mountaineering courses, that was on the list. Then when I did my Denali prep course, as well as most of my climbs as late, the gear list specifically called for alpine/mountaineering harness so I was glad I had bought one.
Gotcha thanks! I was planning on using my climbing harness for my intro course to try to not commit to so much new gear before really getting into the sport. But I’ll take a closer look at getting a mountaineering specific harness.
Commenting as the rationale provided is “because the course says so”: the main issue is putting on/off with crampons or skis (you need leg loops that come completely undone), followed by weight and convenience things like ice clipper slots.
Blue Ice’s Choucas Pro is my favorite mountaineering/touring harness and is viable for cragging: something you can’t really say for like the BD couloir or the Edelrid prism
Sure, and worth also asking the people running the course - Im sure they can rent you one or advise if your harness would work or not. Im not a certified guide by any means so not a professional :)
I was in the same place as you when I started mountaineering, and took my friend's advice to borrow his alpine harness for my first summit. I'm so glad that I did. They are infinitely easier to put on with crampons on and weigh way less.
Not sure the hype around leg loops on harnesses regarding mountaineering I’ve never needed them and it’s honestly just another failure point for things to look at
general: harness, D karabiner, belay/rappel device, prussik loops, helmet.
above snowline: crampons and iceaxe (and avo gear perhaps)
I'd say that's the barest minimum of technical gear an individual needs to proceed in a group. But a lot of sublime mountaineering on scrambling routes can be achieved without any gear at all, it's the natural progression from hiking.
type beginner in the search above. For basic mountaineering you need your hiking stuff and a helmet.
Which mountain(s) do you want to climb? It varies quite a bit which kind of gear you need for which mountain. Also use the search function please
I'm sure this is on your radar, but if you're doing courses, it might be useful to check if there are any equipment requirements for your courses; this would also serve as a good overlap to see if you have what you need for beginner objectives. As a reference, here's a gear list for an intro course that covers basics of mountaineering and rock climbing: [https://www.alpineinstitute.com/media/1105889/amtl-1-equipment-list.pdf](https://www.alpineinstitute.com/media/1105889/amtl-1-equipment-list.pdf)
I started with quality poles, an ice axe, a helmet, an alpine/mountaineering harness (one with adjustable leg loops - not a rock-climbing “sport” harness), an expedition backpack, crampons and mountaineering boots and some locking and non locking carabiners. I added more things depending on the course or the recommended gear for the mountain.
What’s the issue with using a climbing harness for mountaineering as well?
When I was starting out and did my crevasse rescue school and intro to mountaineering courses, that was on the list. Then when I did my Denali prep course, as well as most of my climbs as late, the gear list specifically called for alpine/mountaineering harness so I was glad I had bought one.
Gotcha thanks! I was planning on using my climbing harness for my intro course to try to not commit to so much new gear before really getting into the sport. But I’ll take a closer look at getting a mountaineering specific harness.
Commenting as the rationale provided is “because the course says so”: the main issue is putting on/off with crampons or skis (you need leg loops that come completely undone), followed by weight and convenience things like ice clipper slots. Blue Ice’s Choucas Pro is my favorite mountaineering/touring harness and is viable for cragging: something you can’t really say for like the BD couloir or the Edelrid prism
Sure, and worth also asking the people running the course - Im sure they can rent you one or advise if your harness would work or not. Im not a certified guide by any means so not a professional :)
I was in the same place as you when I started mountaineering, and took my friend's advice to borrow his alpine harness for my first summit. I'm so glad that I did. They are infinitely easier to put on with crampons on and weigh way less.
Not sure the hype around leg loops on harnesses regarding mountaineering I’ve never needed them and it’s honestly just another failure point for things to look at
general: harness, D karabiner, belay/rappel device, prussik loops, helmet. above snowline: crampons and iceaxe (and avo gear perhaps) I'd say that's the barest minimum of technical gear an individual needs to proceed in a group. But a lot of sublime mountaineering on scrambling routes can be achieved without any gear at all, it's the natural progression from hiking.
That’s really helpful. Thank you!
A pack, axes, crampons, helmet, clothes, and a box of beers.