If you’re getting ready for a mountain climbing trip, you’ve probably already packed the essentials. But there are certain tools that you’ll want to ensure you have before heading out. Here are some of the different tools every mountain climber needs in their pack before they head out.
Crampons
You probably already have a solid pair of mountaineering boots, but you might not have thought about crampons. Crampons, made of about a dozen tiny spikes, attach to the bottom of your shoes. The tips come out of the front and bottom to give you a larger surface area for gripping dirt or ice. They’re not as practical for standard rocks, though.
Ice Axe
Obviously, this is another tool that’s best for ice, but it can have a multitude of purposes regardless, which makes it an essential item to bring along. Climbing with one of these is much easier on your fingers and can save you from a nasty fall. Plus, you can easily attach it to the outside of your backpack, which will help you maximize the space for stuff inside.
Small Snacks
You likely already have some meals packed, but it’s a good idea to bring some smaller snacks as well. Be sure to put these in an easy-to-access spot because you never know when you’ll need the boost of energy from a protein bar to make it up to the next level of the mountain.
Sleeping Gear
Even if you intend for your climb to be a day trip, something might occur that necessitates spending the night on the mountain. It can get quite cold up there at night, so bringing a tent or, at the very least, a warm sleeping bag that will protect you from the harsh temperatures you’ll be facing.
Map and Compass
Everybody has GPS these days, but you can’t always rely on that. A broken phone or loss of signal can leave you in the middle of nowhere without access to your digital navigation tools. That’s when you’ll be wishing that you had a map and compass. While these can be a challenge to use and are by no means ideal, they can save your life in a dire situation.
Extra Batteries
When it comes to different tools every mountain climber needs, extra batteries are a must. Losing a flashlight, heat lamp, or some other vital electronic due to a dead battery is the worst, so you need to ensure that you have some extras lying around. If you don’t want to have to worry about bringing them, buy solar-powered devices or ones that you can recharge with a solar bank.
