Haute Route Equipment List

April 27, 2011

Here is a list of what I took on the haute route. We were a group of 6 without a guide and shared the safety equipment between us.

Generally go as lightweight as possible with everything on the list. Get the lightest possible as in the end it makes your skiing a lot more enjoyable and your skinning easier. Light is right.

Dynafit Bindings seem to be the way to go.

Technical Equipment

• Skis (w/Dynafit TLT Speed)
• Boots
• Poles
• Skins
• Tranceiver – Fresh Batteries
• Shovel
• Probe
• OMM 35L Pack (Maybe 40L would be better)
• Straps for skis
• Harness (Black Diamond Couloir)
• Ice Axe (As light as possible)
• Crampons (Lightweight Aluminium)
• Ski Crampons
• 3 locking carabiners
• 2 non-locking carabiners
• 1 Ice Screw
• Prusik cords (2 times 5m length of 6mm cord)
• Belay device
• 1x dyneema sling (120cm)
• 1x dyneema sling (50cm)
• First aid (blisters, duct tape, sports tape roll (important for blister prevention), plasters)
• Ear plugs
• Wee Headtorch – Fresh Batteries
• Survival Bag
• Compass
• Maps (Martigny, Arolla 1:50000, Missed 1:25000 maps would be good to take these)
• Route Guide (Scan and print out relevent parts from Peter Cliff’s Book)
• Watch
• Victorinox Knife
• 500CHF – get from Geneva Airport
• Toothbrush + Paste
• Mobile Phone
• Silk sleeping sheet (wool covers and pillows are provided by the huts)
• Passport
• Sun Glasses (Category 4 Important)
• Sun screen and lip protection
• Goggles
• 1 liter Water bottle.
• 500ml mineral water bottle
• Pen + Wee Book
• Medication (if applicable)
• Lunch and Snacks – Day 1
• Insurance Docs
• Zip-lock bag for wallet etc.
• Camera

Clothing

• Shell Jacket
• Waterproof Trousers
• XC Ski Bottoms
• Pertex Windproof
• Primaloft Insulation Jacket
• Light Fleece
• Down Vest
• 3 x thermal tops (1x synthetic, 2x merino)
• 1 x thermal bottoms
• Insulated Mitts
• Light semi waterproof gloves (use these most of the time)
• Liner gloves
• Buff x 2
• Sun hat
• Hat x 2
• 2 x Thick Socks (Merino)
• 1 x Thin Socks
• 3 x Boxers

Group

• Skin wax
• Stove + Pan
• Rope x 2