Footwear: Clothing: Running shoes: For travel and easy walking. Sport sandals: Useful for the sauna, and for around the hut on Elbrus. Lightweight hiking boots: Leather or fabric/leather with sturdy mid-sole and a Vibram sole. Climbing boots: Plastic double boot. Booties: Down are synthetic with a thick foam sole. Optional luxury. Lightweight socks: Two to three pairs synthetic/wool blend Mid-weight socks: Two to three pairs synthetic/wool blend Thermal underwear top: 2 pairs Quick Wic tops: 3 pairs. Zip T-neck design is good. Light colors are better for tops because they are cooler when hiking in direct sunlight and just as warm as dark colors when worn underneath other layers. Thermal underwear bottoms: 2 pairs Trekking Pants : 2 pairs. Dark colors are preferable because they do not show dirt. Underpants: Four pairs synthetic or cotton. Running shorts also work well for underwear. Short-sleeved shirts: Two synthetic; most nylon running shirts or athletic shirts work. Jacket synthetic or fleece: Synthetic jackets or pullovers are a great alternative to fleece because they are lighter and more compressible. Polartec 200 fleece is recommended. Fleece pants: 1 pair. fleece pants Polartec 100 or 200 Down insulated jacket w/ hood: Be sure that the fill is at least 700 or 800 fill, baffled. Waterproof breathable jacket & pants: Jacket must have hood, pants must have full-length side zips.
Head & Hand Gear Accessories Climbing Equipment: Liner gloves: 1 pair Lightweight synthetic Windstopper fleece gloves: 1 pair Waterproof Mittens w/ pile liners: 1 pair Bandana: Two or three traditional cotton style Sun hat: Any lightweight hat with a good brim or visor. Wool or fleece hat - Any brand of warm hat that can go over ears Balaclava: At least one. Some people layer a very thin balaclava under a thicker fleece one. Sunglasses #1: For high altitude. One pair of high quality 100%UV and 100%IR with a minimum of 80% light reduction, side shields such as those found on glacier glasses are not recommended, but size and shape of lens should offer maximum protection from bright light on snow. Sunglasses #2: One pair high quality 100%UV and 100%IR, for safari and lower elevations, also as a backup. It is important to have a spare pair of sunglasses. Ski Goggles: 1 pair Gaiters: 1 pair Headlamp w/ spare bulb: AA or AAA battery powered (Petzl or Black Diamond) Spare batteries: For headlamp and other gadgets you bring. Ice axe: General mountaineering axe. 60 cm length is good for most people but it does depend on your height. Shaft should be straight, not curved. You will need a leash to attach your axe to you harness as well as a wrist loop. Crampons: 12 point step-in (Grivel, Black Diamond) Harness: Alpine style, you should not have to step through leg loops to put it on and off. It should be lightweight and fully adjustable. (Black Diamond)
Carabiner: Large locking pear shaped style. (Black Diamond, Petzl) Perlon cord: 20 feet of 6mm perlon which is also known as static accessory cord. (don t cut it, bring in one piece) Camping Gear Medical & Personal Backpack: (50 to 80 liters), internal frame. Top opening mountaineer s rucksack style is best. Avoid large zipper openings and excessive outside pockets. Larger packs are better than smaller, because they are easier to pack with cold hands and they distribute loads more effectively. Small day pack: Optional but very useful, should be small and simple, can double as stuff sack or organizer, useful for airline carry-on and for while touring in cities. Pack cover: Recommended. To protect your gear on rainy or snowy days Sleeping bag: 0(-23 to -17C). Blue Wolf First Ascent Water bottles: Two - liter, leak-proof wide-mouth (Nalgene or Lexan bottles) Lightweight steel thermal bottle: Optional, but very nice for that spot of well deserved tea. Pee bottle: One 1-liter, leak-proof wide-mouth (Nalgene Poly or Lexan bottles) Pee funnel for women: yummy Trekking poles: Adjustable length in two or three sections, easier to strap on to your pack when not using them. Swiss army knife: Remember not to leave in carry-on bags for any international or domestic flight. Sunscreen: SPF 30 or higher, non-oily Lipscreen: SPF 30 or higher, any brand Toiletry kit: Toothbrush, toothpaste, skin lotion, alcoholbased hand sanitizer, soap, comb/brush, shave kit, (bring travel size bottles to keep your kit small).
First-aid kit: Ibuprofen/Aspirin, assorted band-aids, moleskin, Neosporin-type suave, small gauze pad, roll of adhesive tape, tweezers, safety pins. Include any prescription travel meds that might be prescribed by your doctor (antibiotics, Diamox, sleep aids). Zip-loc bags: always useful Baby wipes Ear plugs: Very useful in noisy lodges and tents. Available in most hardware stores and drug stores. Water purification tablets: Such as Potable Aqua brand iodine tablets. You will be given plenty of purified water during your climb and at your lodge in the Caucasus, but one bottle of backup purification tablets is always a good idea for your travels. They are especially useful in hotels in Russia. We do not recommend you drink untreated tap water anywhere in Russia and bottled water in some rare cases might not be available. Travel Items Expedition duffel bag: (130+ liters). Small travel bag: Useful for storing things in St. Petersburg, most soft sided carry-on type bags work well. You might also use an extra large stuff sack. Nylon stuff sacks: Several different sizes, light colors preferable for labeling. They will be used for storing items in huts and hotels, as well as organizing your travel bags and backpack. Lightweight long sleeve shirt: cotton, comfortable Hiking shorts and/or skirt/sarong: One pair. Synthetic material is preferred for fast drying and wicking moisture ability. Lightweight pants: One pair. Synthetic material is preferred for fast drying and wicking moisture ability.
City clothes for St. Petersburg and Moscow: Casual, two or three changes. We will be in museums and restaurants in the city. In St. Petersburg you will see most Russians dress up to go out to dinner. Consider bringing some nice travel clothes. You will have the opportunity to store items in Moscow while we are in the Caucasus. Small padlocks: for locking duffel bag(s) Book(s) Journal Camera with extra batteries: Digital and/or film camera. Bring plenty of extra batteries, and memory cards for your digital camera. If you recharge your batteries power will be available at our lodge in the Caucasus. Adaptors to fit the outlets in Russia can be purchased in St Petersburg or Moscow. Digital video camcorders are very useful. They allow you to record sounds and still images as well as video.