WORDS: SARAH STIRLING.
IN GEAR
DMM Cirque axe
I was initially resistant to replacing my straight-shafted, old faithful axe with a curved-shafted one. This axe, however, sits nicely in your hand whether holding it by the head to make progress, swinging it into ice or cutting steps. It has a T-rated shaft so you can use it as a belay and it’s made in the UK too.
www.dmmwales.com
Rab Photon X synthetic jacket
It’s rare that you can stop any length of time in winter, but when I do, I instantly stick on a synthetic puff. This jacket has been my staple for two years and I never go anywhere without it. Warm without being heavy and a great fit.
www.rab.equipment
Lifeventure TiV 500 Flask of hot Ribena*
Lowe Alpine Alpine Ascent 40:50 rucksack
Lowe have raised the bar again with their rucksacks in recent years: great fit, stable and simple. You always want a little more capacity in winter but this bag is stable and cinches down nicely no matter how much you load in it.
www.lowealpine.com
I can rarely drink a lot of water out in winter. Instead I aim to hydrate at the start and end of the day and supplement throughout with a hot drink, which is much nicer to swallow and less likely to freeze. This flask is just the right size and easy to open with gloves on. *Other drink choices available!
www.lifeventure.com
Grivel G12 crampons
I’m on to my second pair of these crampons. After a dozen years of hard use this isn’t because they have worn out but because I wanted a different strap for another boot system! Bombproof; the original design has barely changed and all for the better.
www.grivel.com
Map and compass
I prefer OS 1:50,000 or Harvey 1:40,000 scale maps in winter, as the snow hides a lot of smaller features. I also never go without a Silva Exped Type 4 compass wrapped in a homemade case of gaffer tape and roll mat!
www.bmcshop.co.uk
Rab Guide gloves
Winter in the UK takes a heavy toil on gloves; I rarely carry less than three pairs and sometimes use as many as five! I aim to take a lightweight fleece pair, at least one medium weight glove for using with an axe or scrambling about and a heavier weight pair either as an emergency pair or if my hands are cold towards the end of the day as we are walking off. These Rab ones are my current favourites.
www.rab.equipment
16 | CLIMB. WALK. JOIN.
£89
WHAT THE PRO TAKES: mountaineering Winter
£17
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£16
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