Winter Climbing Kit Lists

We caught up with Kev Shields and Mike to find out that all-important question climbers want to know: Whit’s in yer bag?

As autumn slowly disappears and we head into winter, both Kev and Mike are spending their free time doing one of two types of outdoor activities; Outdoor Winter Climbing or New routing on Local Crags.

This is Kev and Mike’s ideal kit list for an Outdoor Winter Climb:

Photo fro Kev’s Blog – Kev on an Ice Climb on Mega Route X -Pic.

In the ( 28-38 litre) bag:

• A map, compass and the knowledge of how to use both
• Synthetic/Down jacket
• Gore-tex trousers
• Gore-tex Jacket
• Helmet
• Crampons
• Ice Axes
• 2 x ropes
• Spare Gloves
• Spare thin layer
• Hand warmers to help with the cold after putting on and taking off crampons
• A head torch
• Harness
• Goggles
• Winter rack ( screws/mixed gear)
• Survival bag or shelter, just in case.

Food:

• Sandwiches (Mike’s sandwich filling of choice is peanut butter and lettuce!!??)
• Flask of Hot Ribera (Top Tip from Mike: add a smidgen of sliced ginger to your hot Ribena for optimum taste)
• Energy bar

This is Kev’s Kit list for New Routing on local crags:

For spotting and clearing the route

• Binoculars – having a good pair of binoculars is essential for spotting good crags to climb. It can save you an hour or more which can be better spent climbing!
• A shovel
• 1 axe to hack away any shrubbery in the way of the route
• Heavy duty construction gloves

For climbing

• Static rope ( at least 50m long)
• A Gri Gri belay device
• Wire brushes
• A full rack (nuts, quick draws, slings, cams and more)
• Harness
• Chalk bag
• Helmet
• Warm Jacket
• Outdoor trousers