Our own personal recommendations of what we think you should be taking
We recommend the following gear for the various trips we run. This is meant purely as a guide to assist in your planning for any trip. Please email for any further details or if you have any questions regarding this list. If you think we have missed something out please inform us!
We can hire out some specialist equipment and this is noted in the text. The link to the manufacturer is what we personally use and recommend. It is personal taste!
Gear for Rental - if you want to save airline weight. Check our course details because gear rental is included with most courses.
List updated October 2012
The "essentials" for all trips
- Map - Penebetica 1:40000 or Editorial Piolet 1:25000
- Compass
- Torch or headlamp - Petzl
- First aid kit
- Eye protection - Adidas
- Suncream and lipcream - P20
- Water (minimum of 3L for summer and 2L for winter) - Nalgene, Camelbak
- Hill food and energy snacks
- Spare clothing
- Knowledge of the Weather Forecast in the Sierra Nevada!
Communications and Tech Gear
Mobile phone signal is getting better but there are still large areas with no coverage. All our own trips take the following:
Summer Day Walking Sierra Nevada
In addition to the "
Essentials" and "
Communications" sections listed above are:
- 35 to 50 litre rucksack - Deuter
- Sun hat - Salomen
- Lightweight trousers (shorts not recommended due to sunburn and spiky terrain!) - TrangoWorld (Spain)
- Lightweight boots - Scarpa
- Lightweight waterproof and windproof jacket - Paramo
- Thermal base layer - Patagonia
- Trekking Poles - Leki
- Socks - Thorlo, Smartwool, Bridgedale
- Lightweight fleece or vest - Mountain Hardware, Berghaus
- Thermal gloves (yes, even in summer we have needed these up high!) - Marmot, Extremities
5 day Main Ridge Traverse or Multi-Day trips
In addition/replacement to the "Summer Day Walking Sierra Nevada", "
Essentials" and "
Communications" sections listed above:
- 60 to 70 litre rucksack (WE CAN SUPPLY) - Deuter, Macpac, POD
- Karrimat or Thermarest (WE CAN SUPPLY) - Karrimat, Thermarest
- Lightweight tent or bivvy bag (WE CAN SUPPLY) - Terra Nova, Bibler, Hilleberg
- 3 season sleeping bag - PHD Designs
- Warm fleece or down jacket - RAB
- Stove (we prefer gas to fuel burners) (WE CAN SUPPLY) - Trangia, MSR
- Gas (Screwtop cannisters 250cc can be supplied by Spanish Highs if booked in advance)
- Cooking pan and utensils - Trangia, MSR
- Warm headware - North Face, Berghaus
- Entertainment? - Sony MP3 or Kindle
- Toilet paper
- Toiletries
- Rubbish bag (all rubbish and packaging must be taken out)
- Food for 5 days (we dehydrate our own food and find this tasty, filling, cheap and light).
Winter Mountaineering Sierra Nevada
In addition/replacement to the "Summer Day Walking Sierra Nevada", "
Essentials" and "
Communications" sections listed above:
- 50 to 60 litre rucksack (WE CAN SUPPLY) - Grivel, Deuter, Osprey
- Warm fleece or down jacket (we love windstopper fabric) - Mountain Hardware, North Face
- Warm headware (facemask or balaclava optional) - North Face, Bask
- Boots - 4 season boots best. Need boots that take crampon (minimum Scarpa SL) - La Sportiva, Scarpa
- Winter Gloves - Hestra, Izard
- Mountaineering Jacket - Paramo, Berghaus
- Winter trousers (thermal) - Paramo Cascadas
- Extra base layers - Icebreaker
- Crampons (WE CAN SUPPLY) - Grivel, Climbing Technology
- Ice Axe - basic walking or mountaineering axe (WE CAN SUPPLY) - Grivel, DMM
- Helmet (WE CAN SUPPLY) - Petzl, Camp, Grivel
- Harness (WE CAN SUPPLY) - Black Diamond Alpine Bod, Petzl
- Snowshoes (WE CAN SUPPLY) - TSL, Tubbs
- Rope, protection gear if required
- Ski Touring gear if required incl skis, skins, poles, avalanche transeivers, shovel
