As with my clothing, I needed backpacking gear that was lightweight and versatile. This was especially true as I was not sharing any gear with others, so if I needed something for the trip, I had to bring it along.

All the gear I selected, and describe below, worked very well, and I can highly recommend it all. The gear here is appropriate for hikers, backpackers, and mountaineers, depending on your circumstances.

Osprey Aether 75

At about 4 pounds 15 ounces for a rugged backpack that hold up to 4,700 cubic inches, the Aether 75 by Osprey is hard to beat. Not only is it relatively lightweight, it can carry a lot of bulky gear, something that is important, even for short mountaineering trips such as this one. The backpack is comfortable, very accessible (two main compartments), and clings closely to keep your center of gravity close to you, which is critical when mountaineering. It also has all the straps and other goodies, such as an ice ax holder, to make your life all that much easier.

Hilleberg Akto Four-Season, One-Person Tent

Think about it. Imagine a tough, roomy, double-wall, one-person tent with a vestibule that can be used during any season that only weighs about 2 pounds 14 ounces. Now believe it, such a tent really exists with the Akto from Hilleberg. This tent is almost a miracle of design and construction, and is the perfect one-person tent. The tent is roomy (by one-person tent standards), includes a vestibule large enough for your backpack and boots, is weather-proof, very tough, ventilated, and lightweight. The only thing keeping it from being perfect is the less than durable aluminum tent stakes that are included. You will want to toss them immediately and replace them with tougher ones. The Akto is not self-standing, which means you will need to tie it down well, especially in windy weather.

Marmot Aiguille Dryloft Sleeping Bag

While a -5 degree sleeping bag was overkill for this trip, it doesn't hurt to be prepared for surprises. Besides, I like being warm at night. On this adventure, I brought along my Aiguille sleeping bag from Marmot. This -5 degree, 800 goose-down fill bag is very warm, comfortable, and relatively speaking, lightweight. I also like the Dryloft covering to help protect me from any condensation I might face in my tent. This is also a great bag for large or tall people, as its shoulder girth is 64 inches, and it can be purchased in both a regular and tall size.

Therm-a-Rest Ridge Rest Sleeping Pad

On this trip I was sleeping on gravel, and I have to admit that I do enjoy a little comfort when sleeping. To accomplish this goal, I brought along a Ridge Rest sleeping Pad from Therm-a-Rest. This closed-cell pad is very lightweight, warm (great for sleeping on snow), and relatively comfortable. It is not as comfortable as most self-inflating sleeping pads, but it comes close. I found sleeping with in on the gravel to more than comfortable to suit my tasks.

MSR WhisperLite International Stove

More than anything else, I hate to cook when out on an adventure. Unfortunately, I get hungry and am forced to do some cooking. To make this task a little more bearable, the WhisperLite International from MSR is my stove of choice. This compact, multi-fuel stove is easy to use, along with being easy to light, even in stout winds with the included wind shield. I also use MRS's aluminum fuel bottle. The stove has always functioned well and is a real trooper.

Outdoor Research Hydroseal Advanced Stuff Sack

To keep my gear organized, and dry, I like to use the Hydroseal Advanced Stuff Sacks from Outdoor Research. They are available in a variety of sizes (I usually bring along 2-3) and are especially great when organizing gear in your tent. And if your tent does not have room, you can put your gear in one of these sacks and put it in the vestibule and not have to worry about any of the gear getting wet.

Leki Ultralite Ti Air Ergo Anti-Shock Trekking Poles

I never leave home without them, my trekking poles, that is. I like the extra stability I get from trekking poles when backpacking, and their ability to somewhat "lighten" the load. I used the poles while hiking to and from the base camp, but when mountaineering, used my ice ax instead.

Black Diamond Gemini Headlamp

Anytime you stay overnight, you need a source of light, and the Gemini Headlamp from Black Diamond is a good choice for providing that light. This headlamp fits on your head or over a helmet, and it includes two bulbs. One is a LED for less light, but for longer use. And the other is an halogen light, for when you need more light, but you won't be using it as long. You can switch between the two bulbs whenever you want. And just in case, bring along an extra set of AA batteries. I always do.

Nalgene Lexan Wide-Mouth Bottle

Because of the potential for cold weather, I brought along two Nalgene bottles for my water, instead of bringing along a hydration pouch. Our water supply for the trip was glacier water, and the Nalgene bottles worked well, allowing me to scoop up water into them, and also allowing me to add purification drops, and then wait for them to kick in, before I drank.

Aquamira Water Treatment Drops

To purify the glacier water we drank, I brought along Aquamira Water Treatment Drops. These drops kill virtually all bacteria and viruses, and are easy to use. All you have to do is to mix the two chemicals together and wait 5 minutes, and then add the mixture to your water, and then wait another 15 minutes before you drink. Unlike iodine-based water purification tablets, there is no bad taste. What I should have also brought along, but I forgot, was a carbon-based filter to remove all the grit in the glacier water. Yuch!

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