Winter Specific:

• Ice Axe: A walking/mountaineering axe, 55-60cm long, such as the DMM Cirque, is recommended.
• Boots: Good quality leather boots with a stiff sole rated B2 or B3. Ensure they are waterproof and warm enough for -10C. Leather or leather/Gore-Tex combination boots are ideal for this purpose. Scarpa and La Sportiva are top brands to consider, with the Scarpa Manta as a classic safe bid. Buy quality boots that fit you well. It is important to wear them in by walking around the house and locally before attempting anything more adventurous. A quality boot will last many years, can be used all year round and re-soled.
• Crampons: Mountaineering crampons with 12 points and anti-balling plates, compatible with your boots, are essential. Choose a pair that match your boot’s size, shape, and stiffness. Grivel G12 is a good option. With leather boots opt for a ‘French style’ plastic bale with a cradle and strap system. Technical ice climbing crampons are difficult to walk in; the front points protrude excessively and are more likely to catch. Lightweight alloy crampons will not survive in Scotland!
• Crampon Bag: A tough nylon bag to protect the contents of your rucksack from the sharp points.
• Gaiters: Extremely useful in keeping your feet dry and warm and to prevent snow and scree entering your boots.
• Climbing Helmet: A climbing helmet, such as Petzl Meteor, large enough to fit over a hat is recommended.
• Harness: A climbing harness with adjustable leg loops that can fit over all your layers and crampons.
• Snow/Ski Goggles: A crucial item for the Scottish winter mountain days. Budget pairs with two-layer lenses work well.
• Sun Glasses: With good UV protection and side shields.
• Rucksack: A 35 to 45 litre rucksack such as Osprey Mutant is ideal for carrying everything.
• Rucksack Liner: A waterproof liner is needed to keep your kit dry. A large dry bag, several small ones, or a strong plastic bag such as a rubble bag work well.
• Flask: A small flask with a hot drink.
• Water Bottle: Up to 1 litre capacity. Hydration systems with tubes do not work well in the winter.
• Map: Ordnance Survey 1:50,000 map or BMC 1:40,000 map, laminated or in a small map case.
• Compass: Silva Expedition Type 4, in degrees.
• Smartphone: Keep your smartphone in a waterproof case in an inner pocket to keep it warm.
• Camera: If you prefer one to a smartphone, keep it in a waterproof case.
• Whistle: A cheap plastic whistle is a useful item in a blizzard or emergency.
• Head Torch: A vital item on a winter day or night. A Petzl Tikka or similar will suffice.
• Survival Bag: An orange plastic survival bag is an important item of emergency equipment. It can be replaced by a bivvy bag.
• Personal First Aid: A small first aid kit in a waterproof bag, including blister pads, a wound dressing, a triangular bandage, and pain relief such as Ibuprofen or Paracetamol.
• Emergency Food: High energy snacks in a sealed bag such as muesli bars.
• Sunblock and Lip Salve: Protection from UV radiation and the wind.
• Trekking Poles: Useful for walking below the snow line and for low angle snow slopes. They should be collapsible to fit inside your rucksack.

Clothes:

• Waterproof Jacket: A robust, breathable, and waterproof jacket that fits over several layers. It should have a permanently attached hood that is large enough to go over a helmet. Gore Tex Pro or Paramo are excellent options.
• Waterproof Trousers or Salopettes: A robust pair of breathable and waterproof over-trousers, ideally with long side zips (to go over crampons) and braces.
• Insulated Jacket: A large warm jacket is useful when stationary. Synthetic insulation works better than down in damp conditions.
• Base Layers: A couple of lightweight thermal long-sleeved tops made of a synthetic material or merino, not cotton.
• Mid Layers: A couple of mid weight layers, such as fleece, are more flexible for managing your temperature.
• Trousers: Fleece trousers or power stretch tights work well under waterproof trousers.
• Hat: A fleece or wool hat that can be worn under a helmet. No bobbles! A neck gaiter is also useful.
• Waterproof Gloves: At least two pairs are essential. They should be dexterous enough for putting crampons on. The Mountain Equipment Guide or similar is recommended.
• Thin Gloves: A thin fleece pair is useful for wearing whilst approaching the hills. For example, the Mountain Equipment Touch Screen Glove.
• Mittens: A pair of lightweight Gore Tex mittens is great on the hill.
• Socks: Several pairs of loop stitch style good quality socks are essential. You can wear either one thick sock or a thin and thick combination. 

Camping and snow-holing kit:

• Snow Shovel: Small collapsible snow shovel such as Black Diamond.
• Avalanche Probe: Lightweight collapsible 3m probe.
• Snow Saw: Can be anything as long as it is lightweight.
• Sleeping Mat: 4 season inflatable sleeping mat such as Thermarest is essential. A second foam mat could be useful too.
• Bivvy Bag: Waterproof Gore Text bag should be large enough to cover your winter sleeping bag and maybe the mat.
• Sleeping Bag: 4 season sleeping bag rated to -15C. Down is lighter and more compressible but synthetic bags are more resistant to damp conditions.
• Sleeping Bag Liner: Provides an extra layer for comfort and warmth.
• Compression Sack: For the sleeping bag and spare clothes.
• Waterproof Bag: A good quality waterproof bag is vital for keeping your sleeping bag and spare clothes dry in challenging winter conditions.
• Tent: 4 season 2/3-person tent with strong poles and guylines that can withstand a Scottish winter storm.

Kitchenware:

• Utensils: A lightweight mug, bowl, and spoon for overnight camping.
• Candle and Lighter: Candlelight makes the snow-hole cosy. The lighter should be kept in a waterproof container.
• Gas Stove and Gas: Jet Boil, Primus, or MSR with winter gas are reliable. Make sure to put some water in your pot before melting snow in it.
• Cooking Pots: Lightweight and sturdy, ideally with handles that can be used with gloves on.
• Food: Packed lunches should be kept in a waterproof container. Breakfasts and dinners should ideally be dried and sealed.
• Toilet Kit: Toilet paper, plastic zip bags, and hand sanitiser. Remember ‘leave to trace’ ethos.

This is a comprehensive list of equipment for winter mountaineering and camping. It can be adapted to a specific trip. Get in touch for a detailed advice!