Mountaineering Gear List for Multi-Day Summer Climbs

This complete mountaineering gear list covers everything you'll need for a guided multi-day summer climb in the Mountain West — from approach shoes and layering systems to packs, glacier hardware, and bivy essentials. The recommendations below are curated by our AMGA-certified guides and reflect what actually works on objectives like Gannett Peak, Granite Peak, Wind River Range traverses, and other multi-day alpine routes between July and September.

The Mountain Guides supplies all technical climbing gear, so this list focuses on the personal clothing, footwear, and accessories you're responsible for bringing. Product picks are from our gear partner Black Diamond and footwear partner Scarpa.

Which Trips Does This List Apply To?

This is our canonical multi-day summer climb gear list — use it as your starting point for any guided multi-day mountaineering trip with The Mountain Guides, including:

Gannett Peak (Wyoming's highest peak — 13,809' in the Wind River Range)

Granite Peak (Montana's highest peak — 12,807' in the Beartooth Wilderness)

Wind River Range climbs and traverses (Cirque of the Towers, Titcomb Basin, and other multi-day objectives)

Beartooth Wilderness mountaineering (Granite Peak and surrounding objectives)

Multi-day alpine rock routes in the Tetons and Wasatch

Custom multi-day mountaineering trips across our Mountain West range

Some of the peaks above (Gannett, Granite) have dedicated peak-specific gear lists that include additional notes — use the peak-specific list if one exists for your trip; otherwise, this list is your reference.

For single-day climbs, see the Single Day Summer Climbing Gear List instead.

What to Expect on a Multi-Day Summer Climb

A typical multi-day guided summer climb involves:

A backcountry approach — anywhere from a few miles of trailhead-to-basecamp travel to multi-day backpacks for remote objectives like Gannett

Establishing a high basecamp where you'll sleep and stage summit attempts

Alpine starts on summit day — typically 3-5 AM departures to beat afternoon weather

Variable terrain — rock scrambling, snow travel, glacier travel, and short technical climbing sections depending on your objective

Afternoon thunderstorm risk — common across the Mountain West in July and August; your guide will time summit attempts accordingly

Long days — 10-16 hours from basecamp to summit and back is typical for serious objectives

Your guide will provide a detailed trip plan and personalized gear-check ahead of departure.

What's Included vs. What You Bring

The Mountain Guides supplies all technical climbing equipment, including:

Rock climbing rack and rope systems

Climbing harnesses, helmets, locking carabiners

Belay and rappel devices

Crampons and ice axes (when required for your objective)

Rentals are available through our Jackson office for backpacks, mountain boots, approach shoes, rock shoes, and sleeping bags — coordinate in advance for sizing.

You provide all personal clothing, footwear, layering, sleeping kit, water treatment, and food (detailed below). You're welcome to bring your own technical equipment if you prefer — please coordinate with the office for a pre-trip gear check.

Footwear

Footwear choice depends on your specific objective and trip dates. Your guide will confirm what's required for your climb during pre-trip planning. Scarpa footwear is available for rent through our Jackson office.

Sticky-Rubber Approach Shoes – required for all mid-summer climbs (mid-July through September) when objectives are largely dry Guide Pick: Scarpa Crux (Men's / Women's) — available for rent

Crampon-Compatible Mountain Boots – required for most trips before July 15 and all Gannett Peak climbs Guide Pick: Scarpa Zodiac Tech (Men's / Women's) — available for rent

Rock Shoes – for technical rock routes — available for rent

Lightweight Wool or Synthetic Socks – 2-4 pairs, sized for your boots; blister prevention is critical on long approaches

Upper Layers

Long Underwear Top – synthetic or merino wool Guide Pick: Black Diamond Lightwire LS Tech Tee (Men's / Women's)

Sun Hoody – synthetic or wool, long-sleeve (alternate to long underwear top depending on conditions) Guide Pick: Black Diamond Alpenglow Hoody (Men's / Women's)

Synthetic T-Shirt Guide Pick: Black Diamond Distance SS Tech Tee (Men's / Women's)

Lightweight Insulating Jacket – fleece or synthetic Guide Pick: Black Diamond Coefficient LT Hybrid Hoody or Solution 2.0 Hoody (Men's / Women's)

Waterproof Rain Jacket with Hood Guide Pick: Black Diamond Fineline Stretch Shell (Men's / Women's)

Bottom Layers

Long Underwear Bottoms – synthetic or wool Guide Pick: Black Diamond Coefficient LT Pants (Men's / Women's)

Hiking Shorts or Pants – for the approach Guide Pick: Black Diamond Pursuit Shorts (Men's / Women's)

Synthetic Climbing Pants Guide Pick: Black Diamond Alpine Pants (Men's / Women's)

Waterproof Rain Pants Guide Pick: Black Diamond Fineline Stretch Pants (Men's / Women's)

Head & Hands

Warm Hat – lightweight to mid-weight, sleek enough to fit under a helmet Guide Pick: Black Diamond Reversible Beanie

Sun Hat – also helmet-compatible Guide Pick: Black Diamond 5-Panel Synthetic Cap or Desert Mullet

Two Pairs of Gloves – one lightweight, one mid-weight (synthetic or fleece). If your route involves snow travel, add a shell glove Guide Pick: Black Diamond Crag Gloves and Midweight Softshell Gloves

Backpack & Sleeping System

Alpine Climbing Pack – internal frame only, 45–50 L for a 2- to 4-day trip (sized larger for longer trips). Large enough to fit all your personal gear plus 10 lbs of food and water Guide Pick: Black Diamond Speed 40 or Mission 55 (both available for rent)

Sleeping Bag – synthetic; temperature rating dependent on trip dates and elevation. (Available for rent — confirm sizing and temperature rating with the office)

Sleeping Pad – closed-cell foam or Therm-a-Rest (required on some trips — please inquire with the office to confirm whether yours requires one)

Hydration, Water Treatment & Food

Water Bottles – 2-3 liters of capacity, or hydration bladder

Water Treatment – Steripen, in-bottle filter, or chemical drops

Lunch & Snacks:

Day-1 lunch can be more robust (deli sandwich) — keep trash minimal since you'll be packing it out

Subsequent days are graze-style: bars, jerky, cheese, crackers, dried fruit, candy, PB&J. Mix sweet, salty, fat, and protein

Find a balance between calorie density and weight/volume in your pack

Electrolyte Drink Mix

Summit-Day Treats – save some favorite snacks for summit day; the morale boost matters

Other Essentials

Dark Sunglasses – glacier-rated (Category 4) recommended for trips with snow travel

Extra Contact Lenses or Prescription Glasses

Sunscreen – 35+ SPF

Lip Balm with SPF

Headlamp with fresh batteries; alpine starts are guaranteed Guide Pick: Black Diamond Spot 400 Headlamp

Small First Aid Kit – blister care, analgesic, personal medications (guides carry a full kit)

Stuff Sacks or Zip-Lock Bags – for organization and waterproofing

Misc Personal Items – minimal: light knife, bandana, camp suds, washcloth

Recommended & Optional Items

Trekking Poles – highly recommended for long approaches and exit days Guide Pick: Black Diamond Pursuit Carbon Z Trekking Poles or Trail Cork Trekking Poles

Custom or Aftermarket Insoles – worth their weight on a multi-day trip

Camera with batteries and a spare memory card

Closed-Toed Camp Shoes – lightweight relief at basecamp after a long day

Long Camping Spoon – for eating from freeze-dried meals

Insect Repellent (Ask the office whether your trip dates require this)

Headnet (Ask the office whether your trip dates require this)

Cold Weather & Shoulder-Season Considerations

Early-season (mid-July) and late-season (early September) trips can run cold, especially at altitude on summit day. Consider adding:

Extra Down Vest or Jacket Guide Pick: Black Diamond Access Down Hoody (Men's / Women's)

Expedition-Weight Long Underwear

Extra Gloves – Alpine Softshell Gloves

Buff or Neck Gaiter Guide Pick: Black Diamond Neck Gaiter

Related Trips & Resources

Mountaineering programs — full directory of guided peak ascents

Climbing programs — single-day and multi-day rock climbing trips

Gannett Peak Equipment List — peak-specific list for Wyoming's highest peak

Granite Peak Equipment List — peak-specific list for Montana's highest peak

Grand Teton Equipment List — peak-specific list for Wyoming's iconic Grand Teton

Single Day Summer Climbing Gear List — for single-day guided climbs

Questions About Gear?

We're here to help. Contact our office with any questions about gear requirements, rental availability, or trip-specific considerations for your multi-day summer climb — including footwear choice, sleeping bag temperature ratings, and personalized layering guidance based on your specific objective and dates.