Welsh Winter Mountaineering Kit List
Here is a list of all the kit you may need during your course. Our comprehensive stores department can provide many items you may not have.
The kit we have in stores is marked with an asterisk (*). The rest we ask you to bring.
Clothing
- Waterproof Jacket: a robust breathable and waterproof jacket that fits over several layers. It should have a permanently attached hood that is large enough to go over a helmet
- Waterproof Trousers or Salopettes: robust, breathable, and waterproof, ideally with long side zips, crampon patches, and braces
- Insulated Jacket: a large warm jacket to wear whilst stationary, ideally with synthetic insulation
- Base Layers: a couple of lightweight synthetic thermal tops, short or long sleeved
- Mid Layers: a couple of mid-weight layers, ideally fleece, for flexibility in temperature management
- Trousers: softshell trousers are great for blocking wind; thermal trousers can be useful on cold days
- Hat: fleece or wool, suitable for wearing under a helmet
- Waterproof Gloves: at least two pairs; dexterous enough for handling crampons. For example, Mountain Equipment Guide
- Thin Gloves: fleece gloves for approaching hills. Example: Mountain Equipment Touch Screen Glove
- Socks: thick warm socks, with optional thin liner socks
- Winter Mountaineering Boots*: B2 or B3 boots are necessary. Bring your own or use the provided options during the course
Personal Kit
- Ice Axe*: a walking/mountaineering axe, such as the DMM Cirque (55–60cm length recommended)
- Crampons*: ensure compatibility with boots. A model like the Petzl Vasak with anti-balling plates is ideal
- Gaiters: prevent snow/scree entering boots and keep feet warm (e.g., Mountain Equipment Trail DLE gaiter)
- Crampon Bag: tough nylon to protect rucksack contents from sharp points
- Climbing Helmet
- Snow/Ski Goggles: essential for winter conditions, budget pairs with dual-layer lenses suffice
- Rucksack: larger capacity than summer, with a waist belt
- Rucksack Liner/Dry Bags: waterproofing for rucksacks using dry bags or rubble bags
- Flask/Water Bottle: small flask and water bottle; avoid hydration systems with tubes in winter
- Maps: OS 17 Snowdon & Conwy Valley 1:25000 (laminated recommended)
- Compass*: SILVA Expedition 4 for navigation
- Mobile Phone Case: waterproof protection is essential
- Whistle: a cheap emergency item
- Headtorch*: plus spare batteries; quality models like Petzl Tikka or Actik recommended
- Small First Aid Kit: include blister plasters and personal medication
- Emergency Food: high-energy sealed snacks (e.g., chocolate or muesli bars)
- Sun Block and Lip Salve: UV and wind protection
- Sunglasses: essential in sunny, snowy conditions
- Trekking Poles: collapsible poles are helpful for walking and slopes
Boot and Crampon Advice
Winter footwear needs to deal with a very different environment than our summer boots, so what we wear on our feet is very different. Our boots are heavier, so they are durable and warm. They are also stiffer so we can kick steps in hard snow and wear crampons.
Boots
Boots have a B rating, from B0 to B3. The four boots below are rated B0, B1, B2, and B3. The rating relates to how stiff the boot is and their crampon compatibility. The boot on the left is rated B0, is flexible and not designed to take a crampon. The boot on the right is rated B3, is rigid and is designed for winter climbing.
In general, winter walking and mountaineering is done in a B2 boot, and winter climbing in a B3. Good quality leather/synthetic boots are best. Plastic boots are warmer but more cumbersome, and the warmth offered by high-altitude boots is unnecessary. Larger-sized boots will flex more than smaller sizes, so if you have large feet, go for a more rigid boot. You will be less likely to slip out of your crampons.
Our advice is to buy a quality boot that fits your foot well. Be careful to ensure they are not too small as constricted feet get cold. It is worth the extra expense, and a quality boot will last many years. Be prepared to spend some time ensuring the size and fit is correct and visit a mountaineering shop. It is important to wear your boots in. Initially, place tape on your heels and any ‘hot spots’. Spend time walking around locally, even around the house, before attempting anything more adventurous. Most staff wear either one thick sock or a thin and thick combination. Buy good quality socks and bring several pairs.
For most winter mountaineering courses, our staff use footwear from the excellent range by Scarpa.
Crampons
Crampons are also rated from C1 to C3 and, like boots, relate to stiffness, with C1 being the most flexible and C3 being the stiffest.
As a rule, a C2 crampon such as the Petzl Vasak would be used for winter walking and mountaineering, and a C3 crampon such as the Petzl Lynx for climbing. However, for starting winter climbing, C2 crampons will suffice as you don’t need specialist climbing crampons. Climbing crampons are only necessary from Grade IV.
Crampons and boots need to be matched. B2 boots can be used with crampons rated C2 or lower. C3 boots can be used with crampons rated C3 or lower. But B2 boots cannot be used with C3 crampons as the crampon may come off due to the boot not being stiff enough.
It’s best to have your boots with you when you buy your crampons to ensure they fit well together. Take your boot with you when you buy your crampons and fit them to the boot in the shop to ensure a good fit. Buy a 12-point crampon with a general mountaineering configuration and anti-balling plates. Be aware that with small feet (size 6 or under), certain types of crampons are best avoided—get crampons fitted by the shop.
