Complete Mt Rainier summit packing list: essential gear + layers for climbing

sports bra/shirt + hiking shorts for approach + underwear

I wore a sports bra and yoga shorts combo on the hike from White River trailhead to Glacier Basin, where temps were warm and the terrain mellow. Lightweight, breathable layers are ideal here— you’ll swap into glacier gear higher up.

sun shirt for approach: Arc’teryx Taema Hoody (women’s) / Cormac Hoody (men’s)

This long-sleeved sun shirt is a guide-favourite for blocking sun on the lower snowfields and glacier approach (below Base Camp)— wicks well, dries fast, and gives solid sun protection without bulk.

wool base layer: Smartwool Classic Thermal Base Layer Top (women’s) / (men’s)

This was my base layer for sleeping at Base Camp and adding additional layers for summit day. It offered great moisture-wicking and next-to-skin warmth without bulk, and kept me fresh for 4 days on the mountain.

lightweight fleece mid-layer: Arc’teryx Rho LT Hoody (women’s) / (men’s)

The perfect glacier-travel mid-layer, I wore this on the Interglacier and for the entire summit day under my other jackets. The slim fit and built-in face panel made it ideal under a helmet and beanie.

synthetic insulation: Arc’teryx Atom Hoody (women’s) / (men’s)

I layered this over my fleece and under my Cerium down jacket for chilly evenings at camp and the sub-zero summit push. Breathable enough to climb in when it’s cold, but also warm enough to recover at rest stops.

mid-weight down jacket: Arc’teryx Cerium Hoody (women’s) / (men’s)

I wore this over my Atom for the entire summit climb, and it was absolutely vital for warmth on the glacier. This jacket isn’t enough on its own for sub-zero glacier travel, but layered over a fleece and synthetic puffy, it provided the perfect insulation system under my shell. Light, packable, and high warmth-to-weight, it earned its place.

heavyweight down jacket: Arc’teryx Thorium Hoody (women’s) / (men’s)

I didn’t bring this on my climb, but in hindsight, I’d absolutely add it for climbing in calm conditions— if the wind is low, wear the Thorium as an outer layer instead of a shell for added warmth during rest breaks or slow glacier travel. I find this more comfortable than a shell, but again, it only works if the wind is low!

shell jacket: Arc’teryx Beta SL Jacket (women’s) / (men’s)

My waterproof/windproof outer layer for exposed glacier travel and summit weather. Even if you’re wearing a down jacket as your outermost climbing layer, this is still essential for wind, snow, and storm protection, so carry it with you no matter what.

wool base layer bottoms: Arc’teryx Satoro Merino Wool Bottoms (women’s) / (men’s)

I wore these under my fleece pants and Gamma soft shells from Base Camp all the way to the summit, and the merino meant they stayed dry and warm even when sweaty.

fleece mid-layer bottoms: Arc’teryx Kyanite Base Layer Bottoms (women’s) / (men’s)

Perfect as a second layer under soft shells and over merino base, I wouldn’t summit without them.

soft shell pants: Arc’teryx Gamma Pants (women’s) / (men’s)

These were my primary outer layer from Base Camp to summit— durable, flexible, and wind-resistant.

hard shell pants: Arc’teryx Beta Pants (women’s) / (men’s)

In more intense wind conditions, an outer layer of hard shell pants would have been essential. I carried these with me, but did not wear them!

sun hat: Arc’teryx Gamma 5-Panel Cap

Perfect for the approach to Base Camp, I wore this in the lower elevations before switching to a beanie + Buff combo on the glacier. Lightweight, breathable, and easy to stash.

glacier glasses: Julbo Vermont

The combination of high elevation, full sun exposure, and reflection off the snow means your eyes are at serious risk of UV damage and snow blindness, even on cloudy or overcast days. Glacier glasses are specifically designed with high-coverage lenses and side shields to block light from all angles— unlike regular sunglasses, they offer full wrap-around protection. I wore mine from trailhead to summit and back, and they were absolutely essential for safe glacier travel.

2x neck gaiters: Buff Original + Buff Polar

I brought two: a lightweight Buff for sun and wind protection on the approach, and a Polar Buff for summit day to protect my face from freezing wind. The combo was perfect for adapting to changing temps and wind exposure.

beanie: Arc’teryx Mallow Toque

I wore this under my helmet from Base Camp to the summit, and was glad for the extra insulation at 1am on the glacier.

sun gloves: Outdoor Research ActiveIce Chroma Full Sun Gloves

These super-lightweight gloves are a total game-changer for snowfields, glacier travel, and high UV days— they protect your hands from rough snow and ice without adding warmth AND make it easier to hold an ice axe while you’re sweating. I wore these up the Interglacier to Base Camp, then had to swap for warmer gloves.

lightweight hiking gloves: Outdoor Research Trail Mix Gloves (women’s) / (men’s)

Essential for handling gear around Base Camp, especially in the evening.

leather mountaineering gloves: Outdoor Research Extravert Gloves (women’s) / (men’s)

These were my main climbing gloves for summit day— warm enough for sub-zero wind chill, but dexterous enough for handling an axe and rope. The leather palms gave great grip on icy gear.

2x liner socks: Injinji Liner Crew + REI Co-op Silk Liner Crew Socks

I wore my favourite toe-sock liners under my boot socks to reduce friction and prevent blisters during the long approach to Base Camp, but they would NOT have been a good choice for the freezing cold summit push, when contact between toes is essential for warmth— for this, I swapped to a classic Silk Liner.

Boot socks: Darn Tough Hiker Micro Crew Cushion Socks (women’s) / (men’s)

Perfect for the approach and early glacier travel. These have been my go-to for years: durable, breathable, and just the right amount of cushion in my boots.

Expedition socks: REI Co-op Merino Wool Expedition Hiking Crew Socks

I wore these on summit day inside my plastic boots, layered over silk liners. Extra thick, warm, and moisture-wicking—essential for keeping toes warm on hard glacier ice for 12+ hours.

Approach boots: La Sportiva Trango Tech Leather GTX Boots (women’s) / (men’s)

I wore these from the White River trailhead to Base Camp and back out after the summit. They were ideal for dry trail, rocky moraine, and snow approach, but not warm enough for glacier summit day.

plastic mountaineering boots (recommended to rent): Koflach Degre Plastic Boots

You’ll likely need insulated double boots for summit day on Rainier— either plastic models like these or modern synthetic hybrids like the La Sportiva G2 SM. I wore an old pair of Koflach Degre plastic boots I scored at an REI Garage Sale years ago, and they were fantastic: warm, waterproof, and totally bombproof on the glacier. These older models still pop up on eBay, or you can rent either plastic or synthetic double boots from gear shops in Seattle or Enumclaw.

backpack (50-75L): Osprey Aura AG 65 (Women’s) / Atmos AG 65 (Men’s)

Expect to be carrying 20-25kg+ on the approach to Base Camp, but only about 5-10kg in essential gear to the summit.

I used my Osprey Aura AG 50 for our 4-day Emmons climb, and while it technically fit everything, I definitely maxed it out. For most people, a 65L+ pack will be far more comfortable and practical, especially if you’re carrying group gear or want easier access to essentials.

helmet: Black Diamond Half Dome Helmet (women’s) / (men’s)

A helmet is essential on any Rainier route, not just for rockfall, but for icefall, crevasse hazard, and unexpected slips or impacts.

On Emmons, I wore mine from Camp Curtis through the entire glacier climb, where we were surrounded by seracs, snow bridges, and steep slopes with real fall potential; on the DC route, you’ll cross the Disappointment Cleaver itself, which is notorious for rock and ice debris from above.

ice axe: Black Diamond Raven Ice Axe

The Emmons Glacier route includes long, sustained sections of 35–45° snow and ice, and if you’re climbing Disappointment Cleaver, you can expect steep traverses, boot-packed switchbacks, and icy chutes where your axe is just as critical.

Choose a mountaineering axe that’s light, but long enough for solid plunges— and make sure you know how to self-arrest before you step onto the glacier!

harness: Black Diamond Couloir Harness

A lightweight, packable alpine harness that’s easy to put on over boots and layers is essential for tying/clipping into your rope on the glacier

glacier rope: Black Diamond 8.9mm Dry Rope (40m)

We climbed as a 3-person rope team with a 40m dry-treated glacier rope, which gave us enough line for crevasse spacing and rescue systems. Choose a dry rope to resist ice and moisture, and bring a rope you’ve practiced with if possible.

crampons: Black Diamond Contact Strap Crampons with ABS Plates

Aluminium or steel crampons are both fine for Emmons, since it’s a snow and ice route, but if you’re climbing DC or another mixed line with exposed rock, steel crampons are strongly recommended for durability and bite.

Whatever you choose, ABS plates are non-negotiable: these anti-balling plates prevent wet snow from clumping under your crampons, which can create a dangerous fall hazard (especially in freeze-thaw conditions). Strap-on models work well for both plastic and modern double boots— just be sure to test your fit in advance.

gaiters: Outdoor Research Expedition Crocodile Gaiters

Gaiters kept snow, ice, and sharp crampon spikes off my pants and socks, especially during steep climbing and step-kicking. These heavy gaiters are durable, secure, and essential for glacier travel on Rainier.

trekking poles: Black Diamond Trail Trekking Poles

I used both poles for the approach to Base Camp; on the glacier, I switched to one pole in combination with my ice axe, which gave me extra support and stability without compromising self-arrest ability.

pro, assorted technical gear (as needed)

This is so highly specific to the route and conditions that I wouldn’t dream of writing a standard list of mountaineering pro for Rainier, just keep this as a reminder to consider what protective gear is required for your adventure!

We personally used a picket on the Emmons. Bring what your team needs to build anchors and perform a rescue— and make sure you’ve trained with it before the climb.

PLB/SOS: Garmin InReach Mini 2

A Personal Locator Beacon (PLB) is your lifeline in the outdoors and it is essential for EVERY SINGLE SUMMIT. I carry a Garmin InReach Mini 2, which allows me to send messages, get weather updates, track location, and place an SOS call in an emergency, even without phone service. It does require a subscription (starting at $12/month), but it’s worth every cent and has literally saved both of my parents’ lives in the backcountry!

GPS: CalTopo app on mobile

The absolute best GPS resource is the smartphone you already own, paired with a reliable, low-cost GPS mapping app that allows you to access detailed offline Topo maps and navigate via GPS satellites, even without mobile service.

My go-to is CalTopo, which costs just $20/year and is by far the most feature-rich, affordable, and accurate mapping tool out there.

First Aid Kit: Adventure Medical Kits Backpacker

On a glacier climb like Rainier, the big risks are injury, cold exposure, and altitude-related issues. I packed a lightweight but thorough kit with painkillers, wound care, foot tape, and emergency meds— enough to support myself or a teammate during a long descent.

headlamp: Black Diamond Spot 400-R

Essential for the full overnight summit push, glacier travel, and crevasse navigation— we left Base Camp at 12am and climbed for 5hrs in complete darkness before the sun finally rose. I highly recommend a rechargeable headlamp with at least 300 lumens for safe movement through exposed, technical terrain in the dark.

2x powerbanks: VRURC Portable Charger with Built-in Cables, 10000mAh

Between the long approach and overnight summit push, staying charged on Rainier was a priority— we relied on phones for GPS and route-finding, an inReach for updates and comms, and headlamps for 8+ hours of glacier travel in the dark. I carried 2x 10,000mAh powerbanks, which kept me fully powered without needing to ration.

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mountaineering tent: Black Diamond Eldorado (4-season)

We used the Black Diamond Beta Light, an ultralight trekking pole shelter, because we had clear skies, zero wind, and no precip in the forecast— but this kind of shelter is only suitable when the weather is extremely stable and you’re confident in your timing.

For most climbers, I’d strongly recommend a true 4-season mountaineering tent, like the Eldorado, that can handle wind, snow, and exposed glacier platforms. You’ll sleep better knowing your tent won’t collapse in the middle of the night.

sleeping bag: Feathered Friends Murre EX 0 (comfort rated: -18°C) or Sea to Summit Spark 0

A zero-degree (Fahrenheit) bag was just warm enough for Base Camp, paired with a good pad and down booties. It will feel like overkill on the approach, but you’ll be happy to have the warmth at elevation!

sleeping pad: Therm-a-Rest NeoAir XLite NXT Sleeping Pad

I used this inflatable pad directly on the glacier, and it was light, surprisingly warm, and compact. R-value is critical up here—don’t skimp on insulation between you and the snow.

camp pillow: Sea to Summit Aeros Premium

A luxury I’ll never hike without! Lightweight, compact, and so worth the space for better sleep on the glacier.

camp shoes: Mountain Hardwear Down Bootie (High Camp)

Light, packable, and crucial for keeping your feet warm while walking around Base Camp or hanging in the tent ahead of your summit push.

toiletries

Toothbrush, toothpaste, hairbrush, deodorant, medications, contact solution, wilderness wipes… whatever you need to stay clean and comfortable for a few days on the mountain.

You can pick up blue bags from the ranger station to collect waste on the glacier, but there are toilets at Base Camp, so hopefully it doesn’t come to this.

camp stove (+ fuel): Jetboil Zip

A compact canister stove is ideal for making simple meals on a multi-day trip— crazy fast, fuel-efficient, and effective even at elevation in heavy wind.

A conservative estimate for fuel is one 230g canister per 3 days per person, but a couple can probably get away sharing one canister and even a small group doesn’t need more than 2 for a trip of this length.

mess kit + cutlery: Sea to Summit Frontier Ultralight Collapsible 4-Piece Dinnerware Set

At the very minimum, your mess kit should contain a spoon and cup; at most, it might extend to a bowl and fork. Plastic is more comfortable to hold onto than metal at below-freezing temps!

water filter: Katadyn BeFree 1.oL Water Filter

Useful on the trail approach where streams are available, but once on the glacier, we melted snow for water.

water reservoir: HydraPak Seeker 2L

This soft-sided 2L bladder is light, durable, and collapses flat when empty— ideal for melting large batches of water or sharing between climbing partners.

2x water bottles: Nalgene Wide Mouth

The wide-mouth design made it easy to add electrolytes or refill with boiling water, plus they resist freezing better than narrow bottles.

insulated water bottle: Hydro Flask Wide-Mouth Vacuum Bottle 32oz

In cold conditions, your only access to drinkable (non-frozen) water during the coldest part of summit day is going to be from an insulated bottle. I didn’t need to use one on our July climb, but in slightly colder weather, it would have been vital.

electrolytes: Liquid IV

With the altitude, constant sun exposure, and high physical demands of the expedition, I mixed electrolytes into every single bottle of water that I drank to stay on top of hydration and avoid headaches or energy crashes.

freeze-dried meals + snacks

I packed 4 full days of food, including freeze-dried dinners, protein-heavy snacks, and a few morale boosters like sour candy and jerky.

Favourite brands: Peak Refuel; Packit Gourmet; Backpacker’s Pantry; Real Turmat (European brand)

👉🏼 Check out this post for a breakdown on how we pack backcountry food for multi-day backpacking trips