Question about bringing gears for 6 days mountaineering course at Mt. Baker

I am taking 6 days mountaineering course at Mt. Baker through AAI on August 18 - 23.

AAI provided a gear list for this course but that seems too much for August trip.
Here is a gear list link from AAI, alpineascents.com/school/ca…
About the clothes, it doesn't say which is mandatory and which is optional and how many each item to bring. The list said to bring hiking sock, short underwear, baselayer bottom, baselayer top, midlayer top, softshell pant, softshell jacket, hardshell pant, hardshell jacket, and insulated synthetic hooded jacket. My question is which is mandatory and which can be optional that is not necessary to bring for August weather or all of them are mandatory? Also how many pair of each item I should bring for 6 days? I want to pack light and have space for extra during the trip.

First, you are paying this company a lot of money for this course - have you tried to call them to discuss these requirements and get clarification?

That said, you may need to more carefully read the content: items like base layer tops, socks, and underwear on this list come with recommended numbers. Regarding the essential clothing, there is nothing on this list I wouldn't also recommend for 6-days of learning on a glacier environment - you are going to be standing around, rolling around in snow, and hanging on the end of the rope. So yes, gore-tex and puffies are probably required.

Brad F wrote: I am taking 6 days mountaineering course at Mt. Baker through AAI on August 18 - 23.

AAI provided a gear list for this course but that seems too much for August trip.
Here is a gear list link from AAI, alpineascents.com/school/ca…
About the clothes, it doesn't say which is mandatory and which is optional and how many each item to bring. The list said to bring hiking sock, short underwear, baselayer bottom, baselayer top, midlayer top, softshell pant, isjacket, hardshell pant, hardshell jacket, and insulated synthetic hooded jacket. My question is which is mandatory and which can be optional that is not necessary to bring for August weather or all of them are mandatory? Also how many pair of each item I should bring for 6 days? I want to pack light and have space for extra during the trip.

It would be better to ask AAI what is mandatory. Tell them you can't afford everything on the list (if that's the case) and ask if the layers you have will be sufficient. AAI can answer this with authority, while MP will be a guess, unless an AAI guide chimes in.

Edit: After looking at their list, it does seem like a bit too much. Softshell and hardshell pants? I'm sure they have a basis for their recommendations, but it seems like overkill.

I took this very course in August of 2017. It was awesome, you'll have a great time and they are very professional.

It gets really cold at night when your camping just below the Easton glacier, you're not moving. If you at all want to stay out of the tent during sunset or after you're going to be cold.

You will be spending a lot of time rolling around in the snow, digging, getting wet then spend hours on a very very bright glacier that night be hot and sweaty but so bright your need to cover your skin. This is the reason they ask for hardshell pants. This is followed by jumping into a crevasse and hanging there for an hour or so practicing climbing the rope. Also, self arresting and placing anchors to make you crevasse rescue pulley systems.

I got early to mid August weather so I assume it'll be cooler this time of year. It's not winter conditions but it's wet, cold at night, and you're specifically rolling around in the snow getting your clothing wet practicing self arresting/anchors etc...

Give them a call, they are very helpful. I'd recommend bringing the required gear as this is a course they've been doing for a long time and know what situations can/have happened on the mountain.

Brenton Salmi wrote: I took this very course in August of 2017. It was awesome, you'll have a great time and they are very professional.

It gets really cold at night when your camping just below the Easton glacier, you're not moving. If you at all want to stay out of the tent during sunset or after you're going to be cold.

You will be spending a lot of time rolling around in the snow, digging, getting wet then spend hours on a very very bright glacier that night be hot and sweaty but so bright your need to cover your skin. This is the reason they ask for hardshell pants. This is followed by jumping into a crevasse and hanging there for an hour or so practicing climbing the rope. Also, self arresting and placing anchors to make you crevasse rescue pulley systems.

I got early to mid August weather so I assume it'll be cooler this time of year. It's not winter conditions but it's wet, cold at night, and you're specifically rolling around in the snow getting your clothing wet practicing self arresting/anchors etc...

Give them a call, they are very helpful. I'd recommend bringing the required gear as this is a course they've been doing for a long time and know what situations can/have happened on the mountain.

Thank you so much! This is helpful!

Er, the first line on the page you linked to states: "Each item on the list below is required unless specified to be optional."

"I want to pack light and have space for extra during the trip" - you entirely contradict yourself with that statement.

Just follow the list they gave you. -you hired them to guide you, so take full advantage of it.

Marc801 C wrote: Er, the first line on the page you linked to states: "Each item on the list below is required unless specified to be optional."

Yeah, usually the guide service will do a gear check. If you don't have it....you're either going to go buy it somewhere or you're not going with your team...

Good thing you are being guided bro because that shit is the minimum for hanging out on a glacier for 6 days playing in the snow. I'd throw in some booties for around camp and an extra set of baselayer bottom and top (and be sure they are synthetic). These are gold.

Do not skimp on eyewear and head/face protection from the sun.

If you spend on quality stuff for the Alpine it can be quite pleasant or a week of misery, your choice.

+1 for good eyewear. I'm glad I bought glacier glasses at AAI before setting out. I grew up in snow in New England and thought I knew how bright snow could be until I was at ~10,000 feet in an endless snowfield. I brought my normal sunglasses just to try them too and although I may have skimped by with them glacier glasses made it enjoyable.

Brenton Salmi wrote: +1 for good eyewear. I'm glad I bought glacier glasses at AAI before setting out. I grew up in snow in New England and thought I knew how bright snow could be until I was at ~10,000 feet in an endless snowfield. I brought my normal sunglasses just to try them too and although I may have skimped by with them glacier glasses made it enjoyable.

Consider that UV intensity increases about 10% for each 1000' gain in elevation........