Climbing Mount Ararat: Essential Gear

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 a technical point of view, Ararat doesn’t have any difficulties, with no cliffs, glaciers or dangerous passes. For an ascent, you need to have appropriate equipment and hiking experience.

One of the primary questions is about the necessary mountain clothing and hiking equipment. According to our experience in hiking and mountaineering, we have made a gear list that will help you get prepared for the ascent. The list is special for the ascent to Ararat. Unlike other hikes, during this hike all your heavy stuff will be carried by horses. You'll 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 that will be carried by horses. If you don't have a big backpack, you can put your things in a big bag that will be possible to carry on horses. You aren't going to carry it yourself.

Small Backpack (25-40 liters)

A small backpack will always be with you, so you can put in there all the things you need during the hike from one camp to another.

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. The material of pants can be natural, from goose feathers, or synthetic. Natural material is lighter and better at keeping the warmth. Equally warm synthetic material is usually heavier, but also cheaper. Let your preferences guide you.

Hiking Jacket

You should have two jackets. One should be light, for hiking, the other should be a warm winter jacket that 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 two pairs of winter hats.

The Buff

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

Gloves and Mittens

You should have 2 pairs of gloves and mittens. 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; the fourth category – 3-8%. Since there is not that much snow on Ararat in summer, sunglasses of the third category will 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.

Spare Boots

Until 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 levels – 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 a comfort indicator of -5 to -10. On the second camp, the weather can reach -4 degrees Celsius.

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