Mountain and Trail Running Gear for Way Ups

This is a gear list for routes with crevassed glacier crossings, with snow and/or ice. Route examples from our own Way Ups include the Balfrin Traverse, Sustenhorn and Oberaarhorn.

If you’re headed for a dry route, such as the Wiwannihorn, you can leave all the glacier gear behind and take a smaller pack more suitable for your gear quantity. Also, add in any other gear as needed, such as a helmet.

It’s important to understand that this photo has a couple of gear options. The following items are dependent on weather and conditions:

• The right pack is one of the most critical items. We highly recommend Black Diamond’s Distance Packs, both the 8 & 15 liter model depending on the size of your adventure. Read our BD Distance Pack review.

• Warm Layer: Patagonia Nano Air Hybrid Hoody or Patagonia Nano Air Hybrid Vest - it’s not likely you’ll need both, take whichever suits the temps you’ll be in. The Nano Air Hybrid systems are incredibly warm and breathable. Read our Patagonia Nano Air review.

• Wind/Rain Protection: Black Diamond Fine Line Stretch Rain Shell or Black Diamond Distance Wind Shell - if the forecast is dry, go lighter with a windshell.

• Kahtoola KTS crampons or Kahtoola MICRO Spikes - This is a touch decision as you often don’t know just how aggressive you need your traction to be. Hopefully you’ve used both and know how far you can go with each system, otherwise, err on the safe side and go with the crampons. Read our Kahtoola review.

Learn more about the mountain skills needed for these more technical Way Ups on ALPSinsight's Education pages:

Mountain Running

Alpine Climbing

Glacier Travel

Interested in Way Up Runs but not sure where to start?

Here's a collection of easier Way Ups that don't require extra equipment or special skills. They stay on trails, but are huge vertical days up in the alpine.

Check List

1. Black Diamond Distance 15 liter pack

Crevasse Rescue

2. Petzl Ride Ice Axe
3. Petzl 30 meter RAD Rope
4. Black Diamond Couloir Harness
5. Black Diamond Ultralight Ice Screw 16cm
6. Petzl Micro Traxion
7. Petzl Tibloc
8. Two Locking Carabiners + 4 Non-Locking Carabiners
9. Two 120cm runners

Miscellaneous Gear

10. Black Diamond Distance Carbon Z Poles
11. Black Diamond Spot Lite 160 Headlamp
12. Black Diamond Stance Mitts
13. Black Diamond LightWeight WoolTech Gloves
14. Julbo Sunglasses
15. Sun Hat
16. Wallet : Swiss Francs (lots …it’s Switzerland), emergency info & REGA card 
17. Phone with Switzerland Mobility maps downloaded to app with the route’s track
18. 500ml Soft Flask
19. Katadyn BeFree Water Filter  (our review)
20. Camera - we use the Sony RX100 MVII
21. Small Swiss Army Knife
22. Tape
23. Elastic bandage - for compression or rolled ankle
24. Sun cream & Lip balm
25. Trail Butter
26. Mulaff Bar - gourmet energy bars
27. Hydration powder - We choose Osmo Nutrition’s and take a ziploc full.
28. Kahtoola KTS crampons or
29. Kahtoola MICRO Spikes

Clothing

30. Patagonia Nano Air hybrid hoody or
31. Patagonia Nano Air hybrid vest
32. Patagonia Capilene Cool Lightweight Long-Sleeved Shirt
33. Black Diamond Levitation Tights
34. Black Diamond Fine Line Stretch Rain Shell or
35. Black Diamond Distance Wind Shell
36. Patagonia Capilene Air Hoody
37. A partner to whom you will be connected to by that rope. Convenient for glacier crossings and good company.

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