While staging out of the historic Silcox Hut provides a refined alpine basecamp experience, the upper crater of Mount Hood demands the exact same technical security as our standard summit pushes. This list specifies the precise balance between overnight hut requirements and mandatory high-altitude climbing hardware. Stiff, crampon-compatible mountaineering boots and professional steel traction systems remain non-negotiable for all summit attempts.
Use this equipment list for the following trips: Intro to Alpine Rock, Mount Washington, Three Fingered Jack, and the NW Ridge of Broken Top.
You must have all the items on this list at your climber orientation regardless of season or forecast. Please call us if you have any questions. Your guide will not let you climb if you don’t have appropriate gear. Please arrive at the trailhead dressed for the activity. There will be time for questions and adjustments.
Clothing
- Underwear – Wool or synthetic (ex: Men’s Ortovox Base Layers, Women’s Ortovox Base Layers )
- Socks – 2 pairs of wool or synthetic. Some people like a thinner wool sock with a liner sock underneath. (ex: Men’s Ortovox Socks, Women’s Ortovox Socks)
- T-shirt – Synthetic, quick-drying (ex: Men’s Ortovox T-Shirts, Women’s Ortovox T-Shirts)
- Lightweight Fleece Top (ex: Men’s Ortovox Hoodies and Fleece Jackets, Women’s Ortovox Hoodies and Fleece Jackets)
- Softshell Top (ex: Men’s Ortovox Softshell Jackets, Women’s Ortovox Softshell Jackets)
- Hiking Pants (ex: Men’s Ortovox Lightweight Pants, Women’s Ortovox Lightweight Pants)
- Waterproof-breathable Pants – Waterproof, breathable pants without insulation; full-length side-zipper highly recommended for putting on over boots when the weather gets severe. Gore-Tex is one such material used by many manufacturers. (ex: Men’s Mammut Nordwand, Women’s Mammut Nordwand, Men’s Ortovox Hardshell Pants, Women’s Ortovox Hardshell Pants)
- Waterproof-breathable Jacket – Waterproof, breathable jacket without insulation; requires a helmet-compatible hood. (ex: Men’s Ortovox Hardshell Jacket, Women’s Ortovox Hardshell Jacket)
- Insulated Jacket – Required, with a helmet-compatible hood and either down or Primaloft insulation. (ex: Men’s Ortovox Swisswool Piz Duan Jacket, Women’s Ortovox Piz Duan Jacket)
- Gloves – Leather gloves for rope-handling and wind-resistance (ex:Ortovox Mountain Guide Glove, Petzl Cordex)
- Warm Hat – Wool or synthetic, and snug enough to wear under a helmet. (ex: Men’s Ortovox Hats and Neckwarmers, Women’s Ortovox Hats and Neckwarmers)
- Buff, or Balaclava – Protection from wind, cold and sun. (ex: Men’s Ortovox Neckwarmers, Women’s Ortovox Neckwarmers)
- Sun Hat – The more coverage the better. Baseball caps or packable sun hats will work (ex: Outdoor Research Hats)
Personal Gear
- Lunch/Snacks – 1 lb per day of a variety of tasty, high energy foods
- Water Bottles – Two 1-liter bottles required. (ex: Nalgene)
- Sunglasses – Should be high-quality, and high coverage (ex: Julbo Sunglasses)
- Sun Block – SPF 30 or higher
- Lip Balm – SPF 15 or higher
- Toilet Paper – Just in case! Blue bags will be available at most trailheads.
- Headlamp – Always have this in your alpine climbing pack! (ex: Petzl Headlamps)
- Personal First Aid Kit – Moleskin, ibuprofen, aspirin, antacids, personal prescriptions, band-aids
Technical Gear
- Boots, approach shoes, or trail runners – A hiking boot or shoe with good ankle support
- Rock climbing shoes – comfortable for all-day wear
- Climbing Harness – Alpine-style (ex: Edelrid Harnesses, Petzl Harnesses)
- Belay Device – tube-style with two slots for rappelling (ex: Petzl Reverso,
- Climbing Helmet – (ex: Edelrid Zodiac, Petzl Boreo)
- Climbing Pack – 20-30 liters (ex: Ortovox backpacks)
- Trekking Poles – (ex: Leki Trekking Poles, Black Diamond Trekking Poles)