The following checklist should help you with your packing. As a general rule, you should always try to keep the weight of your pack to a minimum.

You must bring the following items:

• Mountain Boots (see notes below)

• Crampons – MUST be fitted with anti-balling plates*

• Crampon bag* (when hiring crampons a bag is automatically included / can not be hired separately)

• Ice Axe*

• Mountaineering harness*

• Screw gate karabiner x 1*

• Helmet*

• Trekking poles x 2 (with baskets)

• Gaiters

• Socks – walking socks are best (2 pairs)

• Trekking Trousers (i.e. not cotton)

• Waterproof overtrousers (with full leg zips)

• Underwear

• Thermal Base Layer x 2 (one long sleeved for glacier travel)

• Fleece jacket or pullover

• Waterproof jacket (with hood)

• Extra warm layer – (lightweight ‘primaloft’ or down jacket)

• Sunhat

• Warm hat

• Sunglasses – category 3 or 4

• Thin gloves – leather or thermal

• Warm and waterproof gloves gloves or mittens

• Sleeping bag liner/sheet sleeping bag (silk is lightest)

• Rucksack (30 - 40 litres should be sufficient)

• Rain cover for Rucksack

• Head torch with new battery in it

• Sun Protection (high factor for skin)

• Lip salve – with sunscreen

• Water bottle - minimum 1 litre x2 (we encourage re-filling water bottles rather than single use plastic)

• Water purification tablets

• Small, lightweight wash kit and pack towel

• Dry bags(s) for daypack/kitbag contents (to ensure they keep dry)

• Basic First Aid Kit including: Painkillers for headaches and blister treatment (zinc oxide tape and 'Compeed'). Plus an personal medication.

The following items are optional:

• Thermal baselayer - leggings

• Shorts (for non-glacial travel)

• Earplugs (particularly if you are not the one snoring!)

• Camera

• Travel Clothes (can be left at your hotel)

• Travel Shoes (can be left at your hotel)

• Reusable cloth bag for shopping (to avoid plastic bags)

Notes

Mountaineering Boots - Recommended boots for this trip are comfortable, warm and sufficiently stiff to take a crampon securely (a sturdy B1 or a ‘worn in’ B2 boot is ideal). Rigid B3 boots are not neccessary for this trek - however if you already have B3 boots and are comfortable in them, they can be used on this trek (GPW). 

Crampons: Modern strap on crampons (often referred to as 'New-Matic') are perfectly acceptable for this trek and will fit any boot. All crampons MUST be fitted with anti-balling plates. Grivel Crampons - G10 or G12 with a strap system are excellent and they come fitted with anti-balling plates. We do not recommend semi-automatic crampons for use with softer boots since with this system, the pull on the heel can lead to blisters.  Aluminium crampons are not suitable for this trip (they are not strong enough over mixed terrain).

Equipment Hire: Equipment marked with a *can be hired from KE. This can be reserved when you book your trip or closer to your departure but we advise booking hire equipment as soon as possible to ensure availability - equipment hire must be booked through the KE office prior to your departure. Any hired equipment will be collected on arrival from your guide, we do not hire mountaineering boots, but there are several shops in Chamonix renting boots that are suitable for this trip.

Sleeping Bags are NOT required as bedding and hut shoes/slippers are provided at mountain refuges. However, you must bring a sheet sleeping bag.

Needle Sports (specialist mountaineering equipment shop)

Needle Sports is the English Lake District's foremost specialist climbing shop supplying mountaineering, rock, ice, alpine and expedition equipment worldwide. Internationally recognised as among the very best of the UK's top technical climbing gear retailers. They have a good range of equipment appropriate for this trip and offer knowledgeable advice both on their website and in store. View >>http://www.needlesports.com/