Climbing Kit List
Although we will supply all of the technical kit (e.g. helmet, harness, ropes) on our outdoor climbing experiences, you will still need…
Compulsory items are listed at the top - you must have these items with you to begin your activity with us.
The compulsory items are selected for your safety, which is of paramount importance to us at Large Outdoors. Each participant should have the items listed. Your guide or activity leader makes the final decision in regard to your suitability to complete the activity and can refuse to let you participate if they feel your safety (or the safety of the group) is being put at risk. Please refer to the ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF RISK AND APPROPRIATE FITNESS/EQUIPMENT section in our Terms & Conditions.
Underneath these compulsory items we have listed recommended / optional kit that should help make your experience more enjoyable.
If you are unsure about anything, from kit to the expected fitness level for the experience you have booked, please contact us.
COMPULSORY
Footwear - Walking boots, training shoes or approach shoes which provide good grip for walking into the climbing locations. Climbing shoes will be provided for use during your experience - if you happen to have your own please do feel free to bring them along too.
Rucksack / Backpack - Please bring all of your kit in a rucksack/backpack or suitable bag for ease of movement between sites, if required, and to avoid it getting mixed up with anyone else’s things.
Warm Clothes (layers advised) - Climbing days tend to involve a bit of standing around as others climb or as new climbs are secured by instructors, so please make sure you bring extra layers to keep warm. Trousers - Make sure the trousers you are wearing are light-weight and flexible, with freedom of movement for climbing.
Waterproof Jacket & Trousers - These items ensure you are comfortable when walking to/from climbing sites. Waterproofs can range from very cheap to very expensive, but when shopping make sure you buy items that are ‘waterproof’ rather than ‘water-resistant’ - there’s a big difference in a downpour!
Hat & Gloves - You need to keep your head, hands and neck warm - a hat paired with a buff and some gloves (for when you’re not climbing) is ideal.
Food & Lots of Fluid - Don’t forget to pack your lunch* and whatever snacks will help keep you fuelled up. In terms of water, most participants find 2 litres of water is suitable.
* If you are attending a Large Outdoors Multi-Day Experience we might provide a packed lunch - please check the What’s Included section on the relevant webpage. Please ensure you bring a lunch box or dry bag for your packed lunch - to reduce waste, we do not supply cling film or sandwich bags.
Survival Bag & Whistle - We hope you’ll never need these - but they are essential for your safety. Check out our blog on how to use a survival bag and whistle and see the FAQs below.
Personal First Aid Kit - Whatever personal medication you need, as well as some blister plasters/lip salve/painkillers (hopefully not needed!). All of our guides/activity leaders are first-aid trained.
Head Torch - An essential piece of kit throughout the year - why?, see FAQs below. Please also bring spare batteries. This must be a head torch, not the torch on your mobile phone!
Mobile Phone - If you need to leave the group for any reason, we ask that you contact your guide by text message when you have returned to the meeting point or alternative agreed location safely, as a courtesy. Plus, it’s always good practice to have your mobile phone with you when exploring the outdoors, in case of emergency.
Money (mix of card and cash advised) - If for any reason you need to leave the group (e.g. in case of injury or emergency) you may need to arrange a taxi or public transport back to the meeting location/to your accommodation/for onward travel. Plus, you’ll be grateful to have some pennies with you if we pass a tempting pub, tearoom, or souvenir stop! It’s useful to have both cash and a credit/debit card with you.
RECOMMENDED / OPTIONAL
Sun Cream - The Great British weather can be changeable and sunburn can occur even on cloudy days - especially at higher altitudes and on/near the sea.
Midge Spray - A bottle in your rucksack can save a day from turning into a swat/scratch fest if these wee beasties turn up. See FAQs below.
Sit Mat - A lightweight, foldable, and waterproof mat that helps you stay dry and comfortable if you need to sit on wet ground for lunch or a break. Top tip alternative: if you pack your lunch in a dry bag, you avoid soggy sandwiches if it rains and you can avoid a soggy bottom by sitting on the bag when you stop for lunch (although it’s not going to be as comfy as a sit mat!).
RECOMMENDED Residential Kit
Wash Bag / Toiletries - The majority of accommodation we stay at does not provide toiletries, so ensure you pack what you need. Don’t forget your toothbrush!
Towel - Depending on the accommodation you’re staying in, a towel may not be included - please check the What’s Included / Accommodation sections on the relevant webpage, but if in doubt bring a towel.
Ear Plugs - These might be useful if you’re sharing a room and/or you’re a light sleeper.
Evening Clothes - Something to change in to after returning from climbing, to relax in the evening (comfy/casual attire is absolutely fine).
FAQs
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These are absolutely essential for your safety - we hope you never need to use one, but would advise you always have one with you when walking, especially up in the hills and/or when walking in exposed or remote areas when the temperatures can be substantially colder and emergency help will take considerably longer to reach you should you need it. We do insist on them for all Large Outdoors participants booking an experience with this Compulsory Kit List requirement.
We sell survival bags & whistles for £12.50 per participant - THESE MUST BE ORDERED AT LEAST 10 WORKING DAYS BEFORE NEEDED, to ensure we have time to post them out to you. They are also available online/in shop from any good outdoor equipment retailer.
You can add a survival bag & whistle to a Large Outdoors order when you book online, or you can contact us via hello@largeoutdoors.com to order if you’ve already made your booking.
NB: Survival bags can also prove extremely useful as make-shift rain shelters and sun shades!
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We hope you wouldn’t need it on a planned daytime activity, but we’d advise you always have one with you in case of a situation which leaves you out for longer than expected. If you have to return in the dark because of an unforeseen delay (e.g. an injury or yourself/a fellow participant requiring assistance or evacuation, which you may have to wait some time for), or you need to signal for help in an emergency, a head torch can be invaluable.
Here’s some additional advice to help you pick something suitable.
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Weather forecasts are not always correct and weather can rapidly change unexpectedly.
If yourself or a fellow participant were injured or involved in an emergency situation and you needed to wait for help, compulsory Kit List items like your survival bag, additional clothing and waterproofs will help to reduce the risk of exposure.
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Yes - these are also required for experiences in the summer months or if the weather forecast is good, as conditions can be changeable. If you need to stop for longer than expected, keeping your head and hands warm and dry makes a huge difference to keeping your core body temperature at a safe and comfortable level.
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Midges exist all over the UK, but Scotland has a bad reputation for them and we often get asked if midges will be a problem on our experiences which run in Scotland. Midges tend to be encountered more often in Scotland as the midge favours the damper climate and habitats found there. The usual season for midges is May to September. Certainly for most of our swimming, coastal and Scottish isle trips, there is often enough of a breeze to keep them away (they can't fly once the wind speed is above a few miles per hour).
Overall, midges are generally not a significant issue on our trips, but we'd advise you to be prepared. A bottle of repellant (there are some great natural options) or suitable clothing to cover up stashed in your rucksack can save a great outdoor experience from turning into a swat/scratch fest if these wee beasties turn up!