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The kit you take on Kazbek depends on the particular route and on where you will be sleeping. The standard ascent crosses a glacier, so an ordinary trekking set is not enough: you need crampons, an ice axe, a helmet, a harness and the skills to move roped up. The final list comes from the operator, because some of the group equipment may be supplied locally.<\/p>\n
Boots have to keep your feet warm, hold the foot firmly and be compatible with the crampons you have chosen. Soft trekking models are usually unsuitable for the summit section. Try boots on with the socks you will actually wear, and check that your toes do not press against the front on the way down. Crampons are adjusted to that exact pair of boots before you travel.<\/p>\n
The technical set<\/strong><\/p>\n Ropes, ice screws, the group first-aid kit and the rescue kit are allocated by the operator. Do not add them yourself unless you understand what they are for and what they work with.<\/p>\n Work in layers: a base layer to move moisture away, an insulating layer to hold warmth, and a shell to keep out wind and precipitation. For the summit push you need a warm jacket, mitts, spare gloves, a hat or balaclava and something to protect your face. Cotton takes a long time to dry and makes a poor base layer.<\/p>\n Rucksack and overnight kit<\/strong><\/p>\n The volume you need depends on whether you are carrying your own sleeping bag, food and group equipment. The lists for a hut and for a camping set-up are different. Check the temperature rating of the sleeping bag, whether a mat is provided, and how your kit will be moved up to the highest place you sleep.<\/p>\n Sun and water<\/strong><\/p>\n On snow you need goggles or glasses with the right level of protection plus a spare pair, sun cream, clothing that covers you, and containers for water. A drinking system with a tube can freeze; a flask and an ordinary bottle are often more dependable on a cold day out.<\/p>\n Bring your regular medication with some to spare, along with anything your doctor has agreed to. Do not take other people’s medicines, and do not start taking anything against altitude sickness because a group chat suggested it. A group first-aid kit is no substitute for your own prescriptions.<\/p>\n What to hire<\/strong><\/p>\n A helmet, a harness, crampons and an ice axe can often be hired. Boots need especially careful fitting. When you collect a set, check it for wear and look at the markings, the fastenings and whether the pieces work together. Anything that is new to you should be tried out during a training session.<\/p>\n Start by choosing a current Kazbek programme<\/a>, then ask for the up-to-date list that goes with it. The general equipment catalogue is in the mountain equipment<\/a> section. Treat the general list in this article as a cross-check, not as a replacement for your guide’s instructions.<\/p>\n How to split your kit between the stages<\/strong><\/p>\n Clothing for the approach and the kit for the glacier should not sit in one shapeless heap. On the lower stages you want light layers, a waterproof, water and sun protection. For the high section you lay out separately the boots, crampons, helmet, harness, warm gloves, eye protection and torch. Whatever you will need in the morning is packed the evening before and checked in daylight.<\/p>\n Documents, money, a phone and regular medication go in protected personal packing. If your main bag is carried by a vehicle or an animal, your day sack still keeps enough to finish the stage safely if the luggage is delayed.<\/p>\n How to judge how much insulation you need<\/strong><\/p>\n The temperature in Stepantsminda tells you nothing about the glacier and the night higher up. Allow for wind, for how long you stand still, and for how you personally feel the cold. The warm jacket has to go on over your working layers, and the mitts must not stop you holding an ice axe. Boots and gloves that are too tight restrict the circulation.<\/p>\n Textile items cannot be judged by eye alone after a serious fall or an unknown impact. If in doubt, ask for a different one.<\/p>\n What people often bring and never use<\/strong><\/p>\n A heavy knife, several identical fleeces, a large wash bag and stray electronics all add weight without doing anything for the route. At the same time you must not shave grams off eye protection, light, insulation or your own medication. Every item should answer one question: at which stage, and in what circumstances, will it be used?<\/p>\n Put the whole set together, weigh the rucksack, put the harness on over your clothes and go out for a training session. Check that the hood works with the helmet, that your crampons do not catch on your trousers, and that a bottle and gloves can be reached without unpacking everything. Tick the list off physically rather than from memory.<\/p>\n\n
Clothing<\/h2>\n
A personal first-aid kit<\/h2>\n
The final check<\/h2>\n
What to check at the hire shop<\/h2>\n
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The check a week before<\/h2>\n