Winter Walking Kit List
Are you joining Large Outdoors on one of our amazing winter walking trips? If so, then here is the lowdown on what you need…
This kit list is relevant for the following trips only:
Summit Ben Nevis in Winter
In winter the mountains change totally. Snow, cold, and limited daylight. A fantastic time to walk in the mountains, but your kit has to be more robust.
If you look through and need to discuss something (or everything!) in more detail regarding walking in winter, don’t hesitate to get in touch! You might also read it and think you have to spend lots of money but please check the trip details as on some trips the gear is included or we can offer a hire service.
It’s well worth printing off a copy and bringing it with you to check you have everything each morning.
If you have any of the ‘Desirable’ items then please bring them, though they are not essential for you to own. It is normally possible for you to rent ice axes and crampons near where we’ll be running the walking trip.
Essential Kit list:
Backpack - ideally with a volume of around 45 litres.
Waterproof Jacket and Trousers - with a Goretex/eVent or similar waterproof layer. Cheap plastic waterproofs are not acceptable for winter mountain walking.
Thermal baselayer - made from merino wool, synthetic fibre or bamboo, and rated to keep you warm. A top is definitely needed, and you may also want thermal leggings.
Warm layers - these keep you warm, and you should have two layers, a thin and thick fleece, or a thin fleece and an insulated jacket filled with primaloft/down.
Walking trousers - a pair of trousers you would usually walk in – robust and light-weight, and not jeans.
Gaiters - waterproof ‘sleeves’ that close the gap between trousers and boots and stop snow/water/dirt getting into the top of your boots.
Gloves - warm waterproof gloves are essential, and you may also want a thin pair of gloves to wear underneath them/on their own if it’s a warm day.
Buff - something to keep your neck warm; a scarf will also do.
Hat - thick woolly hat without bobbles (they make helmet fitting difficult)
Sunglasses and suncream - for glare from the snow.
Head-torch - ideally over 80 lumens and with spare batteries.
Socks - several pairs of thick warm walking socks.
Boots - bring your usual summer walking boots in case there’s little or no snow, but it’s likely we’ll need more robust mountain boots for winter walking. If you have some, bring them. They’ll be ‘B’ rated - either B1s, B2s or B3s. If in doubt and you want to buy some, please contact us before you get boots as they can be quite expensive and we want you to get it right! It might also be possible for you to rent some winter boots from somewhere near our walking location.
For a description of what we mean by B-rated boots, please see our blog here.
Personal first aid kit - your own medication plus some blister plasters/painkillers/plasters/lip salve that you think you may need. The leader will carry a comprehensive first aid kit.
Survival bag - just in case.
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. A waterproof case for your mobile phone is recommended for our winter experiences.
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.
The below kit is provided by us if you are joining any of our trips.
Goggles - vital for visibility in the snow and wind.
Crampons - make sure they are suitable for your boots
Ice Axe
Climbing Helmet
Desirable Kit
Map and Compass - purely for your interest should you want to follow where we’re walking.
Camera
Flask for hot drinks
Walking poles