Equipment Checklist

Below is a list of necessary equipment for our Mont Blanc courses; items marked with a (*) can be rented from us at a small additional cost (Approximately £90 per person per week for boots, axe, crampons, helmet, harness).

Mont Blanc Guides are reviewing several UK retailers who, in our opinion, will provide expert advice and service for all your equipment needs. These are listed at the bottom of the page with links to their on-line stores.

Mont Blanc Equipment

• Ice axe* (classic mountaineering style, i.e. a gently curved pick and straight shaft, at least 55cm long; remove wrist loop if possible)
• Crampons* (must include well fitted plastic anti-balling plates)
• Mountaineering boots* – these must be either plastic (preferable) or high-end insulated leather – type (eg La Sportiva Nepal Extreme) with rigid enough soles to take a crampon securely. If buying new boots for the trip, try to get a couple of days out in them before arriving.
• Helmet*
• Gaiters (check compatibility with boots if buying new)
• Harness* (type which can be put on without removing boots)
• Telescopic walking poles (optional, nice to have descending rocky paths from huts)
• Headlamp (to fit over helmet; LED type ideal) + spare battery
• Sunglasses(high protection, slightly “wrap-around” style to avoid light entering around the edges)
• Ski Goggles (in case of high wind / blowing snow)
• 40 litre rucksack (no bigger than 60 litres)
• Water bottle (at least 1 litre; Camelback – type systems can be used but they often freeze up on Mt Blanc and frequently leak as well)
• Sun block / lip salve (factor 20+)
• Thin gloves
• Thick gloves (preferably which allow thin gloves to be worn underneath)
• Waterproof and windproof overtrousers
• Waterproof and windproof jacket
• Fleece (windstopper recommended as works as an outer layer if windy but dry)
• Additional insulating layer for top and bottom (e.g. pile)
• Warm hat
• Balaclava
• Sun hat
• Small blister kit (inc. some tape and/or “Compeed” patches)
• Three pairs thick socks (if worn with very thin socks underneath, provides extra blister protection; consider also "Thousand Mile" anti-blister socks)
• Three pairs thin socks
• Change of clothing for valley
• Earplugs for huts (very useful!)
• MP3 Player. (good for passing the time in huts and even on the mountain)

 Equipment Vendors

Mont Blanc Guides are reviewing a number of equipment vendors who can provide expert advice and service for your equipment needs. Please visit the stores below: