What type of harness do I need?  How many biners do I really need?  What gear do I  need to get me started...

Depending on what type of activity you are getting into, your level of ability and your budget, you will have to choose the types of gear that suit your needs, and in the appropriate quantity. As a retailer, Mountain Magic is known for carrying a selection of products that correspond to what the folks who really get out there use!  Take advantage of our staff's extensive product knowledge and experience. Scroll down to check the lists of essentials that they've compiled to get you started.  Call or email us if you need more help.

Rock Climbing Gear:

• Basic Rock Climbing Equipment

• Toproping Gear

• Sportclimbing Gear 

• Beginning Lead Gear

Ice Climbing Gear:

• Basic Ice Climbing Equipment

• Beginning Ice Leading Rack 

• Optional Ice Gear

Mountaineering Gear:

• Basic Mounaineering gear

• Optional Mountaineering Gear

Backcountry Telemark Gear:

• Basic Backcountry Telemark gear

• Optional Telemark Ski Gear

Alpine Touring Gear:

• Basic Alpine Touring gear

• Optional Alpine Touring Gear

Cross-country Gear:

• Basic Cross-country gear

• Optional Cross-country Gear

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Basic Rock Climbing Equipment (gym gear) 

• 1 pair of climbing shoes with a semi rigid sole: fit them tight, on the edge of comfortable. Down size them  half to a full size from your street shoes.

• 1 padded Harness with either adjustable (more versatile and expensive) or fixed leg loops (Cheaper, lighter). 

• 1 Pear-shaped locking carabiner. 

• 1 belay/rappel device. 

• 1 Chalkbag with chalk (optional), if your local gym allow its use.

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Toproping Gear 
Add the following gear to the "Basic Climbing Equipment" list above.

• 1 Dynamic single rope: 10.5 mm x 50 m or 11 mm x 50 m for durability and resistance to abrasion. Or 10.5 mm x 60 m or 11 mm x 60 m if you climb at a tall crag. 

• 1 40L backpack to fit all your stuff in (optional.)

• 1 Rope bag to protect your rope. 

• 1 Mechanical belay device, like the Petzl Gri-Gri (optional).

• 3 D- or Asymmetric shaped Locking carabiners.

• 1 Pear-shaped locking carabiner. 

• 3 Nylon or Spectra runners of single length (30 cm)

• 2 Double-length slings (60 cm). 

• 1 Cordelette of 7mm x 6m or webbing 1" x 20'.

• 1 Personal Prussik Cordelette of 7mm x 2m. (length depends on how you use your prussik knot when you rappel: from your leg loop or from your belay loop...)

• 1 Climbing helmet
  

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Sportclimbing Gear 
Add the following gear to the "Basic Climbing Equipment" list above.

• 1 Dynamic single rope: 10.5 mm x 50 m for durability or 10 mm x 50 m for lightweight. Or 10.5 mm x 60 m or 10 mm x 60 m if you climb at a tall crag.

• 1 Ropebag to protect your rope.

• 1 Mechanical belay device, like the Petzl Gri-Gri (optional).

• 12 Quickdraws of 17cm (With the straight gate and bent gate biners.) Make sure you have enough draws for the length of the crag you climb the most at.

• 2 Quickdraws of 11cm (optional).

• 2 Quickdraws of 25cm (optional).

• 1 Pear-shaped locking carabiner.

• 2 D-shaped or Asymmetric locking carabiner.

• 2 Nylon or Spectra runners of single length (30 cm)

• 1 Personal Prussik Cordelette of 7mm x 2m. (length depends how you use your prussik knot)

• 1 Climbing helmet

• The climbing area's Guidebook 

• 1 First-aid kit
  

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Beginning Rock Lead Rack 
Add the following gear to the "Basic Climbing Equipment" list above.

• 1 40L backpack to fit all your stuff in.

• 1 Rope bag to protect your rope (optional).

• 1 Padded Gear sling (optional) 

• 6 Quickdraws of 17cm (including the bent and straight gates biners)

• 1 Dynamic single rope: 10.5 mm x 60 m for durability or 10 mm x 60 m for lightweight. 

• 1 Set of chock (i.e. nut, stoppers, or wires…). We recommend Doubling-up on the medium finger sizes. 

• 1 0.5" Sized Camming Device 

• 1 0.75" Sized Camming Device

• 1 1" Sized Camming Device

• 1 2" Sized Camming Device

• 1 3" Sized Camming Device

• 1 4" Sized Camming Device (optional)

• 1 3" Sized Hexentric (optional)

• 1 #0.5 Camp Pink Tricam (optional, great if you climb on lime stone…)

• 1 #1 Camp Red Tricam (optional, great if you climb on lime stone…)

• 1 #1.5 Camp Brown Tricam (optional, great if you climb on lime stone…)

• 1 #2 Camp Blue Tricam (optional, great if you climb on lime stone…)

• 8 Nylon or Spectra runners of single length (30 cm)
  12 D-shaped or Asymmetric Carabiners (equal mixed of bent and straight gates optional.) 

• 3 D- or Asymmetric shaped Locking Carabiners.

• 2 Pear-shaped locking carabiner.

• 1 Nut Tool

• 2 Double-length slings (60 cm). 

• 2 Cordelettes of 7mm x 6m.

• 1 Personal Prussik Cordelette of 7mm x 2m. (length depends how you use your prussik knot)

• 1 Climbing helmet

• Guidebook. 

• 1 First-aid kit
  

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Basic Ice Climbing Equipment 

• 1 pair of full shank, waterproof and insulated mountaineering boots. Either plastic boots for cold climates or leather for warmer areas.

• 1 pair of Good quality, Warm, and Water Resistant Ice Climbing orientated Gloves (we recommend a leather palm for durability). For people who get really cold hands, get mitts even though they reduce dexterity.

• 1 medium weight balaclava or toque that will fit under your helmet!

• 1 padded Harness with either adjustable (recommended) or fixed leg loops. 

• 1 Pear-shaped locking carabiner 

• 1 belay/rappel device (we recommend a non mechanical device)

• 1 pair of technical Ice Crampons

• 1 pair of technical Ice Tools: (with either 2 hammer heads or a hammer and an adze head).

• 2 Good Tool leashes

• 1 Personal Prussik Cordelette of 7mm x 2m. (length depends how you use your prussik knot)

• 1 Climbing helmet

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Beginning Ice Leading Rack 

• 1 Dynamic "Dry" Single Rope: 10.5 mm x 60 m for durability or 10 mm x 60 m for lightweight. (we strongly recommend the dry treatment to prevent icing up).

• 2 Cordelettes of 7mm x 6m.

• 3 Cordelettes of 6mm x 2m (for Abalakov, or "V" treads)

• 1 "V treads Hooker" 

• 6 17cm Tubular Ice Screws (note that if you place a screw every 5m, you can go for 20m, assuming you reserve 4 screws for your stations). 

• 2 22cm Tubular Ice Screws (Note that using one 22cm + one 17cm screw for your bottom anchor, and the same combination for your top anchor leaves you with a mere four 17cm screws for your lead…). 

• 8 Nylon or Spectra runners of single length (30 cm)

• 14 Asymmetric Carabiners (we recommend the Wire Gate biners. Also note that smaller biners will be more difficult to manipulate….) 

• 2 Larger Asymmetric Carabiners (to rack your screws)

• 3 larger Asymmetric shaped Locking Carabiners (we recommend Screw Locking biners to prevent icing up).

• 2 Pear-shaped Locking Carabiners (we recommend Screw Locking biners to prevent icing up). 

• 1 40L backpack to fit all your stuff in (we recommend a backpack with two Ice tool loops or tubes.)

• 1 First-aid kit

Optional Ice Gear 

• 1 pair of Dynamic "Dry" Double Ropes: 50m or 60 m OR pair of Dynamic "Dry" Twin Ropes: 50m or 60 m. (We recommend taking 2 different colors for easier identification)

• 1 Kong "GiGi" belay plate

• 1 Ice Racking Device

• 1 11cm BD Tubular Ice Screw

• 1 13cm BD Tubular or Express Ice Screw

• 2 17cm BD Express Ice Screws

• 1 BD Spectre

• 1 pair of Water resistant, breathable, and stretchy Climbing Pants. 

• 1 Water resistant, breathable, and stretchy Climbing Jacket with hood. 

• 1 Down or synthetic, warm but "compact-able" Jacket for cold climate areas (With a Water resistant treatment and a hood if possible)

• 1 medium weight fleece top layer (ideally with a wind breaking layer included) 

• 1 medium or lightweight, synthetic, fast drying and optionally stinky base layers: top and bottom (i.e. polypro…)

• 1 pair of medium or lightweight, synthetic, fast drying and optionally stinky socks

• 1 Sturdy Crampon/ screw storage pouch (to protect your gear from sharp points). 

• 1 pair of mountaineering gaiters

Mountaineering Gear

Basic Mounaineering gear 

• 1 30-40L backpack to fit all your stuff in.

• 1 pair of full, ¾ of ½ shank, waterproof mountaineering boots. Either plastic or leather boots. (Insulation optional)

• 1 pair of Good quality, Warm, and Water Resistant Climbing orientated Gloves (we recommend a leather palm for durability). For people who get really cold hands, get mitts even though they reduce dexterity.

• 1 medium or light weight balaclava or toque that will fit under your helmet!

• 1 Non-padded Harness with adjustable leg loops (Alpine Bod style) 

• 1 Pear-shaped locking carabiner 

• 1 belay/rappel device (optional)

• 1 pair of mountaineering semi articulated Crampons (with bails or straps depending on your boots)

• 1 mountaineering axe (we recommend a length of 50 to 70cm. An axe too long is hard to swing, you might as well use a ski pole at this point).

• 1 mountaineering axe leash (optional)

• 1 Personal Prussik Cordelette of 7mm x 2m. (length depends how you use your prussik knot)

• 1 Climbing helmet

• 6 Oval, D or Asymmetric Carabiners (Straight gates)

• 2 17cm Tubular Ice Screws 

• 2 Cordelettes of 7mm x 6m.

• 1 First-aid kit

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Optional Mountaineering Gear 

• 3 Cordelettes of 6mm x 2m (for Abalakov, or "V" treads)

• 1 "V treads Hooker" 

• 1 pair of Dynamic "Dry" Double Ropes: 50m or 60 m. (We recommend taking 2 different colors for easier identification)

• 1 Kong "GiGi" belay plate

• 1 pair of Water resistant, breathable, and stretchy Climbing Pants. 

• 1 Water resistant, breathable, and stretchy Climbing Jacket with hood. 

• 1 Down or synthetic, warm but "compact-able" Jacket for cold climate areas (With a Water resistant treatment and a hood if possible)

• 1 medium weight fleece top layer (ideally with a wind breaking layer included) 

• 1 medium or lightweight, synthetic, fast drying and optionally stinky base layers: top and bottom (i.e. polypro…)

• 1 pair of medium or lightweight, synthetic, fast drying and optionally stinky socks

• 1 Sturdy Crampon/ screw storage pouch (to protect your gear from sharp points). 

• 1 pair of mountaineering gaiters

• 1 Extra pair of lightweight Gloves. For people who get really cold hands, get mitts even though they reduce dexterity.

• 1 compact-able "Guide" tarp for emergencies

• 1 Altimeter

• 1 Compass

• Topo maps

Backcountry Telemark Gear

Basic Backcountry Telemark gear 

• 1 30-40L backpack to fit all your stuff in.

• 1 pair tele or all mountain skis. 

• 1 pair tele cable bindings. 

• 1 pair of heel pates with lifts

• 1 pair tele plastic boots. 

• 1 pair 2 sections Adjustable Poles. 

• 1 pair of Nylon Adhesive Skins. 

• 1 Avalanche Shovel. 

• 1 Avalanche Probe. 

• 1 Avalanche transceiver. 

• 1 First-aid kit

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Optional Telemark Ski Gear 

• 1 pair of Good quality, Warm, and Water Resistant Skiing orientated Gloves or mitts (we recommend a leather palm for durability)

• 1 medium or heavy weight toque that cut the wind

• 1 pair of Water resistant, breathable skiing pants. 

• 1 Water resistant, breathable, skiing Jacket with hood with a powder skirt. 

• 1 Down or synthetic, warm but "compact-able" Jacket for cold climate areas (With a hood if possible)

• 1 medium weight fleece top layer (ideally with a wind breaking layer included) 

• 1 medium or lightweight, synthetic, fast drying and optionally stinky base layers: top and bottom (i.e. polypro…)

• 1 pair of medium or lightweight, synthetic, fast drying and optionally stinky socks

• 1 compact-able "Guide" tarp for emergencies

• 1 Altimeter

• 1 Compass

• Topo maps

Alpine Touring Gear

Basic Alpine Touring gear 

• 1 30-40L backpack to fit all your stuff in (ideally with an ice axe loop or tube)

• 1 pair Alpine Touring Boots. 

• 1 pair Alpine Touring Bindings. 

• 1 pair light, mid fat to fat all mountain skis.

• 1 pair Synthetic or Mohair Adhesive Skins. 

• 1 pair 2 sections Adjustable Poles. 

• 1 pair of Nylon Adhesive Skins. 

• 1 Avalanche Shovel. 

• 1 Avalanche Probe. 

• 1 Avalanche transceiver. 

• 1 First-aid kit

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Optional Alpine Touring Gear 

• 1 pair of Good quality, Warm, and Water Resistant Skiing orientated Gloves or mitts (we recommend a leather palm for durability)

• 1 medium or heavy weight toque that cut the wind

• 1 pair of Water resistant, breathable skiing pants. 

• 1 Water resistant, breathable, skiing Jacket with hood with a powder skirt. 

• 1 Down or synthetic, warm but "compact-able" Jacket for cold climate areas (With a hood if possible)

• 1 medium weight fleece top layer (ideally with a wind breaking layer included) 

• 1 medium or lightweight, synthetic, fast drying and optionally stinky base layers: top and bottom (i.e. polypro…)

• 1 pair of medium or lightweight, synthetic, fast drying and optionally stinky socks

• 1 compact-able "Guide" tarp for emergencies

• 1 Altimeter

• 1 Compass

• Topo maps

Cross-country Gear

Basic Cross-country gear 

• 1 20-30L backpack to fit all your stuff in.

• 1 pair XC skis. 

• 1 pair XC bindings. 

• 1 pair XC boots. 

• 1 pair 2 sections Adjustable Poles. 

• 1 Personal First-aid kit

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Optional Cross-country Gear 

• 1 pair of Good quality, medium to lightweight, and Water Resistant / breathable Skiing orientated Gloves or mitts

• 1 medium or lightweight toque

• 1 pair of Wind resistant, light and breathable skiing pants. 

• 1 Wind resistant, light and breathable skiing jacket.

• 1 Medium or lightweight fleece top layer (optional for cold days)

• 1 medium or lightweight, synthetic, fast drying base layers: top and bottom (optional for cold days)

• 1 pair of medium or lightweight, synthetic, fast drying socks

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Contact Us

Mountain Magic Equipment
224 Bear Street,
(Postal Box 1901)
Banff, Alberta
Canada.
T0L0C0

toll free: 1.800.661.0399
phone: 403.762.2591
fax: 403.762.4672
e-mail: info@mountainmagic.com

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