A satisfactory climbing experience requires adequate technical training as well as being in excellent physical form. But, before you embark on your first climbing adventure, you should make sure you have the proper equipment and apparel. Here in this article, we will concentrate on the sort of Mountaineering and camping equipment you are probably going to need.
If your starting new and don’t want to commit to buying all the essential gear for a beginner’s trip, you can generally get away with borrowing other people’s equipment if you’re going out with a group. However, some gear is required individually and it’s good to have one of your own to contribute. Plus, you might like the option of going on light solo trips.
Complete List of Mountaineering and Camping Equipment
A 40-liter backpack is sufficient for mountain hikes where you stay overnight. But for several days of hiking, you will need a larger backpack. Get a waterproof cover for your backpack to keep your hiking gear safe from water. Prepare tents for the number of people in the group. Be sure to get clips and nails that will keep your tent firmly in place and prevent it from falling. Use cloth covers to prevent your tent from getting wet in the rain. Some tents have mats, but be sure to bring another mat with you.
If you’re planning a mountaineering trip to Iran make sure to check out our Mount Damavand Tours for more information.
How Many Clothes do We Need?
You will need three sets of clothes—one for going up, one for staying in the camp, and one for coming down. You can also reduce it to 2 sets of clothes, one set for going up and the other for use in the environment and going down. If the weather gets cold in your camp environment, be sure to bring a comfortable jacket and pants with you. For multi-day trips and rainy ascents, you can also have two sets of clothes, special rain covers for hiking, and dry and warm covers for camping.
Waterproofness of Climbing Equipment:
Make sure all your hiking gear (especially your clothes) is protected from the rain. For this purpose, you don’t need expensive waterproof backpacks; just put your clothes inside a plastic bag. Nevertheless, the use of waterproof climbing equipment is very practical. Use Gore-Tex technology fabrics for your hiking jackets, jackets, and boots that come with a waterproof label. Otherwise, a poncho or a raincoat will help you in these situations. Also, choose clothes that dry very quickly and do not become heavy due to the penetration of water and rain, and it is precisely for this reason that denim covers should not be used in any way!
Protection Against Cold:
You have two choices: wear more coverage or less coverage but with standard thick fabrics.
Fabrics that are resistant to cold are not suitable for rain and snow, such as down jackets or thick winter jackets. So for cold winter weather, the best thing to do is to have a warm inner cover and a waterproof outer cover to protect from the rain. Cover-ups, gloves, socks, and absorbent underwear are good choices in this weather. Since each person’s cold tolerance is different, only by experiencing these climbs can you know how many layers of clothing you need on your hike. Although, 3 or 4 layers of clothes are the average of these covers in the cold.
Use light, long-sleeved covers or “rash guards” to protect your skin from thorns and insects. Rash guards, like leggings and tights on your underwear (shirt), are also used. Use your shirt. Although these coatings also have advantages against sunlight, we recommend using a high SPF 30 sunscreen in sunny environments.
Other Climbing Equipment:
Other climbing equipment such as sunglasses to protect your eyes from sunlight at high altitudes and climbing sticks (2 pcs) are extremely useful for rough and steep paths. The trekking pole may not be of much use to you at the beginning of the trek, but it will become a valuable tool if you experience severe muscle cramps or twist your leg along the way.
Climbing Equipment Needed in This Section:
Backpack/rain cover
Tents/underlays/insulated mats
Sleeping bag
Hiking boots/comfortable sandals and slippers
Hiking pants/light pants
Under warm/linen/woolen shirts
Long sleeve shirts and dresses
A jacket
Windbreakers
Poncho/raincoats
Spare covers
Gloves/hats/thick socks
Sun/brimmed hats
Climbing sticks
Toilet in The Mountain Environment and Sanitary Ware:
Undoubtedly, meeting each person’s personal needs is unavoidable, even in mountainous environments. The first tool required is a shovel (one for each group). With this shovel, you make a hole in the ground to bury your waste. The rest are self-explanatory. Shampoos, soaps, and towels may not seem useful to you at the beginning of climbing, but they are practical and enjoyable when taking a shower after climbing. If you need more information in this field, read the article on toilets in the mountains.
Climbing Equipment Needed in This Section:
Shovel/paper towel
Soap/shampoo
Toothbrush/toothpaste
Disinfectant alcohol
Mirror
Gadgets and Communication Equipment for Mountaineering:
Just like computer games that simulate climbing, in reality too, you can use various gadgets as you are climbing. The simplest of them are flashlights, headlamps, and cameras. Almost everyone has a digital camera; of course, the best for nature photography cameras are DSLR ones. Bring your GPS/altimeter watches for orientation and acceleration. These two items are one of the most vital climbing equipment. If you can’t get them, a simple compass will do. Always carry an extra pair of batteries with you because the cold weather drains the batteries faster.
Climbing Equipment Needed in This Section:
Flashlight/headlamps
Digital camera/binoculars
Mobile phone / two-way radio phone (walkie-talkies)
GPS / altimeter clocks
Compass / topographic maps
Extra battery / memory
Self-protection in Emergencies:
I always carry a notebook with a pen to record my climbing experience. This notebook and pen are also very efficient when necessary. You can mark your climbing route with several ribbons on unknown routes and use a whistle to make your voice known to other members or people in the area. A single rope is very useful on steep trails and for crossing rivers. The first aid kit is the most important of them. If you have a disease like asthma, don’t forget to bring your medicines and medical equipment with you! Be sure to write down a contact number and your blood type on a piece of paper so that if someone finds you unconscious, they can help you quickly.
A swiss army knife can be helpful in our climb for many reasons. Our other suggestions include thick adhesive tapes (for sealing tents and bags) and a multi-layer string (these strings are very thin and can be used to make a rafter for members).
Climbing Equipment Needed in This Section:
Pen/paper/ribbon/whistle
Insecticide sprays/sunscreen creams with SPF above 30
First aid kit/personal medicine
Thick sticker tape
Swiss army knife
ID card with a contact number of relatives / insert blood type on paper
Lastly,
If you are interested in exploring another form of an iconic Iranian landscape check out our Iran desert tours where we explore vast desert lands and dunes.
