Cuillin Ridge Kit List
Above all, your kit needs to do the job but be as light as possible. Lightweight breathable fabrics are ideal for waterproofs, which are carried as often as worn (hopefully!)
Technical Clothing
- Waterproof jacket – lightweight breathable model
- Overtrousers – with long side zips
- Socks – warm ‘Smartwool’ type, plus thin liner socks and spares
- Wicking thermal tops/t-shirts
- Softshell jacket – or equivalent light insulating layer
- Mountain trousers – light/mid-weight windproof softshell model
- Gloves – 2 pairs, thin and midweight
- Warm hat – must fit under a helmet
- Spare warm layer – fleece or lightweight synthetic belay jacket
Personal Items
- Water Container(s) – capacity to carry 2 litres
- Headtorch – with new batteries
- Map, compass and whistle (optional, but a good idea)
- Personal medications and blister kit – zinc oxide tape, compeed, painkillers etc
- Sun Glasses – CE rated 3 or 4
- Sun and lip cream – factor 30+
- Sun hat
- Shorts and t-shirt
Technical Equipment
- Rucsac ~40/45l – must be big enough to carry food, water and bivi kit
- Waterproof rucsac liner – Drysac, or heavy duty polythene bag
- *Semi rigid B2 mountaineering boots – Axe, Boot and Crampon advice
- Approach shoes or trainers – sticky rubber models are excellent
- Climbing Harness – with locking karabiner and belay device
- 120cm sling and locking karabiner
- 2 prussik loops and karabiner – if in doubt, bring 3m of 6mm climbing cord!
- Climbing helmet
- Rock climbing shoes – bring a pair if you own them
- Trekking poles – bring a pair if you use them
Bivouac Equipment
- Lightweight sleeping bag – 2/3 season model
- Bivi bag – made of breathable material (plastic survival bag not suitable!)
- Sleeping mat
- Mug and spoon – lightweight
Your guide will have ropes, climbing rack, first aid and survival equipment.
*These should be reasonably stiff 3/4 season mountaineering models (boots sold as ‘via ferrata’ models are also good for Skye). Soft bendy walking boots are not very good for technical scrambling/climbing (you may be better off in a pair of ‘sticky rubber’ approach shoes). See below for advice.
Recommendations and Advice
Visit the Knowledge Base section of our website or our blog for equipment advice. If you can’t find what you’re looking for, please get in touch!
Purchasing Equipment
Backcountry UK in Otley offer an excellent walking boot fitting service and general equipment advice.
Hiring Equipment
It’s best to have your own rock climbing shoes so you can get a proper fit, but if you need to hire some please get in touch. Other safety equipment can also be hired from us (subject to availability) – please see our Equipment Hire page for details.