Technical gear
- A 30 liter (approximate) backpack
- A mountaineering helmet*
- Ski poles with powder baskets (telescopic poles will not work for skiing)
- Properly-tuned skis (waxed bases, sharp edges, and correctly-adjusted bindings)
- Climbing skins fit to skis and in good condition
- Ski crampons
- Transceiver, shovel, and probe*
- Headlamp with fresh batteries
- Depending on the route, a harness, crampons, and ice axe*
*Gear we can provide if necessary. Please let us know before the outing what gear you need.
Personal gear
- Backcountry ski touring boots
- Warm hiking or ski socks (no cotton!)
- Waterproof mountaineering or ski pants
- Base layers – expedition weight – top and bottom
- Waterproof hard shell jacket (Gore-Tex or other)
- Insulated down parka
- Fleece jacket or warm insulated jacket
- Fast-wicking t-shirt base layer
- Two pairs of gloves (1 lightweight, 1 warm)
- Fleece/wool hat (which ideally covers your ears)
- Baseball cap or sun hat in the spring
Neck warmer/balaclava - High altitude sunglasses (Level 4 UV protection)
- Ski goggles
- Sunscreen and lip balm
- 1.5 liter water bottle or 1 liter thermos, depending on the weather. In spring you will need at least 1.5 liters of water!
- Snack and lunch food, including energy bars
- In a Ziploc bag: cash, credit/debit card, 2 or 3 checks (huts rarely take debit/credit cards), health insurance card, proper identification
- Lightweight survival blanket
- Compact camera
For overnight trips
- Spare base layer t-shirt
- Spare pair of hiking socks (not cotton!)
- Lightweight sleeping sack (blankets provided at hut)
- Toothbrush and toothpaste
- Fully charged mobile phone
- French Alpine Club (CAF) or other alpine club (CAI, BMC, AAC, etc.) membership card if you have one, a couple of checks or cash (huts rarely accept debit/credit cards).
- A small personal first-aid kit with aspirin or acetaminophen/paracetamol, ear plugs, tissues, and Compeed® for blisters. There is no need for anything else unless otherwise specified by your doctor.
- Some huts have showers. Ask us ahead of time, and if there is a shower make sure you bring a lightweight travel towel and a small amount of soap.
