Panasonic - LUMIX FT3 12.1MP Digital Camera Water WATER / Shock / Freeze Proof + GPS
Imaging making it to the summit and you're camera dies. ahhhhh
This is the best camera I've owned. Great photos.
Everyone in Australia has a waterproof camera BUT you need FREEZE PROOF. This new version also has GPS. Oh yeah it's dust proof and drop it all you like.
I don't leave home without it. Of course I always carry 3 batteries and 3 cards. No need to charge that way.
BUFF headwear / face mask.
Again something that I don't leave home without and from all my photos you can see it's something that I wear ALL the time.
I have the High UV Protectionone. Cool in summer and warm in winter. They have all types and you can wear it every which way.
Not only do I NEVER get sunburnt, I will swear that this makes breathing easy. If you breath in cold air you will be stuffed. This keeps the air warm.
I'll update as I go along...
WESTERN MOUNTAINEERING Puma Super DL sleeping bag.
The best I've found. A dream to sleep in. Never failed. Perfect on every mountain from Antarctica to Everest and everything in between.
NEPAL WOOLLEN HAT - so comfortable and so warm.
I have others - but I find the one I bought in Nepal to be the best for keeping me warm plus it's fun to have pigtails. Yep - even the guys wear them.
MERRELL hiking boots. Again heaven on your feet.
I had plenty of shop assistants try and sell me different brands and tell me that 'you will break them in' when you wear them. ha ha ha
You should NEVER have to break in any shoe. If it doesn't fit like a glove in the store, it will be a nightmare on a hike. I find Merrell to be the most comfortable boots I have ever had. Don't buy them too small. Make sure you remember your feet will swell.
LA SPORTIVA - Olympus Mons and Spantik
Heaven on your feet. There wasn't a person on our Aconcagua climb that wasn't wearing spantik. lol..
Make sure they fit and are comfortable in the store. I am normally a size 37 BUT my Mons and Spantik are both a size 43. YES 43. I tried on every size in the store and it was the 43's that fitted like gloves. NOT tight - NO hot spots. If they are rubbing in the store - imaging what they will do to your feet on a mountain.
Yes, I do wear double socks and I have NEVER (knock on wood) experienced blisters or cold feet. Your feet will of course swell at altitude (keep that in mind).
ICEBREAKER Merino garments. Made in NZ
They have everything you will need to layer and climb in. The finest merino out there.
Again I don't leave home without them. Super light weight and super warm not to mention 2 weeks - no wash - no stink. Perfect for the mountain. They really don't stink. Heck, perfect for any travel adventure.
2XU compression garments are my favourites. I will swear by them.
In Australia you will see ALL ATHLETES wearing them - from football players to triathletes. They keep you cool in summer and warm in winter. BEST of all they compress the muscles and help prevent injuries and AID in recovery. There have been numerous studies conducted on their benefits.
I wear these 24hrs non stop on a climb. Wouldn't climb or exercise without them.
Of course there are different brands e.g. 'skins' but I find 2XU fit better.
Every country and every climber has a list of their preferred gear.
Here are some of my favourites.
GEAR...
BERGHAUSWOMEN'S GORE-TEX® PACLITE III JACKET
and WOMEN'S GORE-TEX® PACLITE® SHELL OVERTROUSERS
Packs to the size of your fist. Super light weight and has gotten me to the summit each time. Live in them on a mountain.