Gear List for Climbing Mount Ararat

Climbing Mount Ararat is an interesting journey to the historical Armenia and an experience of climbing one of the most famous 5000+ mountains of the world. From the technical point of view Ararat doesn’t have any difficulties, there are no cliffs, glaciers or dangerous passes. For an ascent you have to have an appropriate equipment and of course a hiking experience.

One of the most primary questions is about the appropriate mountain clothing and hiking equipment. According to our experience in hiking and mountaineering we have made a gear list which will help you to get prepared for the ascent. The list is made special for the ascent to Ararat. Unlike other hikes, during this hikes all your heavy stuff will be carried by horses. You will carry only your small backpack.

Let’s divide the whole list of necessary things into 3 groups:

• main equipment
• things for camp and overnight stay
• additional things and electronics

Main equipment

Big backpack (70-90 liters)

In a big backpack you should put things, which later will be carried by horses. If you don’t have a big backpack, you can put your things in a big bag, which will be possible to carry on horses. You aren’t going to carry it by yourself.

Small backpack (25-40 liters)

Small backpack will always be with you. There are going to be things you will need to reach from one camp to another. These are water, some sweets, a coat, personal first aid kit and etc.

Thermal underwear

This is a set of underwear made from a special breathable fabric. It is worn directly over the body. It perfectly absorbs sweat and dries quickly. As a result, the body stays dry, therefore warmer.

Fleece

This fabric is also called “faux wool”. Fleece is lighter and softer than wool. And compared to a wool jacket, a fleece jacket continues to keep the body warm, even after it gets wet.

Hiking pants

Till the second base-camp you can wear ordinary hiking pants. During the last ascent from 4200 up to the peak you should wear warm pants. It is recommended to wear rain and wind resistant hiking or ski pants. It should be made of membrane fabric, be waterproof and warm. The material of pants can be natural, from goose feathers, or it can be synthetic. Natural material is lighter and is better at keeping the warmth. Equally warm synthetic material is usually heavier, but also cheaper. Let your preferences guide you. The membrane layer is waterproof and breathable at the same time.

Hiking Jacket

You should have 2 jackets. One should be light, for hiking, the other should be a warm winter jacket, which will protect from the wind and low temperature. Make sure that your jacket has a hood.

T-Shirt

You should have several T-shirts appropriate for different  temperatures.

Hiking sun hat

Warm Hat

Take 2 pair of winter hats.

Buff

The buffs keep you not only from wind and dust, but also from snow and cold. While walking the buffs keep the neck from wind. And if there is a hard wind you just raise it to cover your face.

Gloves

Gloves and mittens (2 pairs). You can also take ski gloves. The main thing is that there is a waterproof layer on the outside of the glove, and soft and warm layer on the inside.

Sunglasses

You should have 2 sunglasses with their cases. It is recommended to take mountaineering, hiking sunglasses. The sunglasses need to have at least 3rd category of protection. Lenses of sunglasses have categories. The first and second categories are for city and easy walks. In our case these glasses are not useful. The third category transmits 8-18% of sunlight, forth category – 3-8%. Since there is not that much snow on Ararat in summer, sunglasses of the third category with be just right.

Raincoat

As the weather can change momentarily on the mountain you should have a rain coat with you, especially when it’s not heavy and doesn’t take up much space.

Socks

Trekking wool socks can be synthetic or made of merino wool. The wool of these animals is very light and warm, it very quickly absorbs sweat and dries. These socks have anatomical shape, often made of seamless fabric. Take several pairs of socks with you.

Hiking boots

Hiking shoes should be comfortable, with thick soles, you should feel comfortable in them. It is recommended to buy a bit bigger one, to wear it with thick and warm socks, so it should be larger for one or two sizes. You should wear them for several days in advance, so it could take the form of your feet, otherwise, they can harm your feet during the hiking. It is forbidden to go climbing in new shoes. We recommend purchasing boots created specifically for mountain climbing: Zamberlan, Lowa, Scarpa, Asolo, LaSportiva.

Spare Boots

Till the second base-camp (4200 m) you can wear usual hiking boots for spring/autumn hikes (with thick soles).

Trekking Poles

Trekking poles help to relieve the tension in legs and make the walking easier.

Camping gear

Sleeping bag

Sleeping bag has three temperature indicators – comfort, lower limit and extreme. Comfort shows the most comfortable temperature for sleeping. Lower limit shows the lowest and safest air temperature for sleeping. Extreme shows the air temperature at which you will feel cold, but there will be no serious consequences. For Ararat choose a sleeping bag with comfort indicator of -5 to -10. On the second camp the weather can reach 0 degrees.

Slippers

Sneakers, slippers and other lightweight shoes to give your feet a rest in the camp.

Additional things and electronics

Thermos (0,5 l)

On our way to the top the water usually freezes so it’s obligatory to have a thermos so you can drink a tea or water during the cold.

Forehead flashlight with several additional batteries

As we begin walking to the top on Mount Ararat at 1 o’clock in the night so it’s obligatory to have a head flashlight. Before the hike you should check the battery as the last day it should work for 5 hours.

Power bank (minimum 10.000 mAh)

The ascent to Mount Ararat lasts several days. Also taking into account changing weather conditions in mountains, phones can die faster. Be sure to bring along a minimum 10.000 mAh power bank, so that you can use your phone longer.

Personal first-aid kit

You can see the contents of first-aid kit here. In the article we tried to collect all of the essential medications and other things that must be in your personal first-aid kit.

Important to know! Some may be allergic to certain medications and substances. The presented list of medications is not absolute. Before taking any medications, make sure that you are not allergic to any of them. Also, before offering a medicine to someone, make sure that they also don’t have any allergies.

Other

• Underwear
• Phone
• Personal documents, wallet (store these in zip-lock cases to keep them from getting dirty or wet)
• Rain-cover for backpack or plastic bags for packing the things
• Swimsuit
• Hygienic supplies
• Container for water
• Hygienic lipstick
• Sunscreen cream or spray (minimum SPF 50)
• Camera

On Ararat, it is necessary to use a sunscreen and a lip balm, since most of the time we will walk under the burning sun.

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