What to Bring on a Mt Shasta Climb

• Gear (usually rented or borrowed)
  • Mountaineering Boots - these are special boots that are rigid enough for use with crampons and are also especially abrasion resistant and waterproof.
  • Crampons - metal spikes that attach to the bottom of your mountaineering boots for better traction in the snow and ice.
  • Ice Axe - used as a walking stick and a safety device to perform a self-arrest if you should slip or fall.
  • Climber's Helmet - Most climbers using the Avalanche Gulch Route do not wear a helmet. But, after being downhill from a rockslide once, I think that it is a good idea to wear one.
  • Backpack (you may own this already) - Must be big enough to carry all of your stuff and should have an ice-axe loop and tie-downs. Internal frame packs are much preferred over external frame packs for this type of climb. I use an enhanced version of a day pack that has almost no frame but has side pockets for water jugs and it also has the ice-axe loop and tie-down.
• Clothing - stay away from cotton, denim, or wool. You are best off with synthetics, such as polypropylene, Polartec Fleece, etc. You are also better off with breathable wetherproof shells, such as Gore-Tex, rather than simple nylon.
  • Hiking shorts
  • Long pants
  • Wind Pants (if your long pants are not wind/rain proof)
  • Wind Jacket (if your top layers are not wind/rain proof)
  • Short sleeve shirt
  • Long sleeve shirt
  • Medium-weight jacket / Polartec
  • Polypropylene or silk long underwear or equivalent
  • Winter jacket - warm, tough, lightweight, possibly with hood
  • Balaclava or similar knit cap for the head, neck and face
  • Mittens or gloves
  • Hiking Socks (at least one, possibly two pair)
  • Liner Socks (at least one, possibly two pair)
  • Legionnaire's hat or similar (baseball cap with hankerchiff attached)
  • Sunglasses with side-shields or snow-goggles or similar
  • Gators (optional, helps keep snow out of your boots)
• Food & Water
  • 2-4 one-quart/litter bottles or similar for water
  • sandwiches or similar for 2 - 3 low-overhead meals
  • snacks, fruit, carrots, etc. (NB: avoid Powerbars and the like unless you are used to them)
• Other
  • Sunblock - SPF 50, the sun is brutal at 10,000+ feet!
  • SPF Lip balm
  • Swiss Army Knife
  • Toilet paper
  • Tissues
  • Advil / Asprin / Tylenol
  • Utensils if required for your food
  • Iodine tablets for your water if they help you feel better about spring water
  • Small flashlight
  • Bandaids or small first aid kit
  • Eye glasses holder strap (if you wear eye glasses)
  • Spare glasses (if you wear glasses)
  • Camera - optional (of course), I find the disposable ones to be decent, lightweight, and expendable (should you fall or bump something)
• Add this stuff for an overnight trip
  • Tent
  • Shovel or similar for clearing your tent site of snow
  • Sleeping bag
  • Thermarest pad or similar
  • Additional food
  • Climbing stove and pot - if you want to heat your food or drink
  • Additional toiletries
  • Additional clothes - underwear, socks, etc.
  • Medications if needed