Cuillin Ridge Kit Advice

Cuillin Ridge Kit Advice:

Packing for the Cuillin ridge can be daunting! That’s why i thought it useful to do a cuillin Ridge kit list for people undertaking one of our courses. 

There are many alternatives to the suggestions i give, but this will help a lot to form a decision on what kit you have/haven’t and what kit you are going to need to buy. Which of course will do you for the trip and the future!

So starting with the head…

Helmet

Rock n Ridge can provide or you can bring your own obviously. As long as it’s current (last 10 years) it hasn’t been damaged and is good to use – we can advise – then all good. 

I personally use a lighter polystyrene foam liner, combined with a polycarbonate shell. This is my ‘go to’ helmet and use it for virtually everything. That said they are great but for rock fall from above a stronger alternative would be something like the Mammut wall rider which uses a ‘hard shell’ for greater impact from rock fall above. Because i like the lighter comfier ‘do it all’ helmet then i just like the ‘cycling’ style helmets. N.B. Do not confuse a cycle helmet to be a replacement for a Climbing helmet. At a push it’d work but they are two different items.

Because the Cuillins is fickle weather wise, then you will either need a windproof beanie or a sun hat, or both! Leave that with you guys, windproof covers more options rather than a non windproof beanie. 

A Buff can also be useful – For warmth, Keeping the sun (yeah right!) off your neck and in emergencies a bandage or a sling. 

Baselayer 

Body – Our Cuillin Ridge kit list recommends some good breathable and wicking layers – Think like an onion! Yes smelly but ones that dry quick and doesn’t stick to your skin like wet cotton which saps crucial body heat away from you! 

I personally use – Smartwool, Icebreaker or other forms of Merino ethically sourced wool blends. Synthetic tops for me just don’t work. They smell quickly, feel weird to my skin and have i said that they smell?! Even when companies like Smelly – Helly Hansen started with their silver treatment into their fabrics, yes they were not as smelly but they weren’t far off in my opinion. 

Mid Layers

This is open to debate. But something that’ll keep you warm. Here are a few suggestions but this depends on the weather and how cold it will/can be. Think cold! And you can always delayer if your too hot. A lot of the time i wear a cheap Simond from Decathlon windproof – That word again! Mid layer. Below picture with it in action! Likewise you may want to bring and also go warmer. More on this in a mo, but you may also want to bring and wear something like a mid weight layer like the Rab Superflux Hoody. This is a great mid weight piece of clothing for high intensity use. Obviously many other makes styles and brands available depending on your budget. I also use the Rab Vapourise jacket which is quite thick but is amazing at breathing and keeping you warm when needed. 

Windproof/Shell

For me the Cuillin Ridge kit list is not complete without a windproof. This for me is one of the most useful pieces of kit as it cuts wind off, breathes better than anything and doesn’t break down like your expensive waterproof layers would if worn just ‘for walking’ As sweat breaks the fabric down and leads to shortening their life. That’s why unless it’s not bitterly cold or pissing it down, I’ll reach for the windproof. Now these can be lightweight and packable for sure. Just to add Paramo again are one of the few jackets that won’t break down when wearing them just to keep the wind off. As there ‘pump liner’ system helps to prevent this and get rid of moisture from your body to the outside elements. Clever stuff, a bit like an animals fur. That said some younger folk think they look a bit frumpy. Which I tend to agree but the comfort and breathability are unrivalled in my opinion. 

Waterproof:

This is an essential piece of kit to get right for the Cuillin Ridge kit list! Therefore choose wisely and carefully. But a reputable brand is essential. Remember pay cheap pay twice! A Mountain Warehouse jacket may be cheap but it’s cheap for a reason! Probably be ok walking round the shops in the Lakes and a dog walk but not really fit for purpose on the mountains. Key things to look out for is the weight. A lightweight jacket say the Rab Downpour jacket is a great light weight jacket weighing in at 320G but will be cold when the strong winds blow and the rain comes in over time. Whereas something like the Arcteryx Beta SR jacket or the Mammut Crater pro jackets come in with a heavier weight and more importantly a heavier denier fabric. These both aide more thorougher wind and rain protection. Both are built a little tougher for more back country use. 

Paramo

All that said I will often find myself reaching for my trusty Paramo Aspira jacket. They stopped making this, or should I say ‘have’ stopped making this but have re released it for guides and MRT professionals so really pleased they have as it’s a brilliant jacket.

 It is generally a bit much for year round use, but the summer, yes summer of 2022 was the wettest on Skye in over 100 years! And I found myself wearing it a lot of the time. Mainly because yes it’s heavy at over 900G it’s a whopper! But what that means is i don’t need any other layers for me as i ‘walk warm’ 

Some recommendations include:

Mountain Equipment – Lhotse jacket. 

Arcteryx Beta SR and the Beta SL jackets

Rab – Zanskar & Latok

Simond – Mountaineering jacket

Paramo – Aspira, Velez or Enduro waterproof. 

My trusty Paramo has been with me for many an adventure! Together here with the mentioned Simond mid layer a warm and winning combo! Paramo in case you don’t know are one of thee if not thee, most breathable jackets. They wick excellently and Paramo also do a deep cleaning service – At the time of writing this my trusty Aspira is about to be sent off for this very service! – And they do just that deep clean it and send it back cleaned and waterproofed ready for use again. In an age where do we need anymore clothes to be made, then recycling and reusing your old kit is an excellent idea. Because Paramos materials don’t necessarily break down, then you

Paramo Aspira – Older version 

Waterproof Trousers:

A good pair of walking trousers are essential. Together with a pair of reasonably good waterproof trousers. These are often overlooked by clients as a ‘It’ll do’ kind of piece of kit. The amount of times people have pulled some bin liner trousers out of their packs is amazing! After 15 minutes and they’re saying these aren’t as good as i presumed. So a waterproof pair is pretty essential, there also good to wear if your cold at the bivvy site. Again packlites are ok, but something with a heavier weight – check the denier – makes more sense. It’s like most things, you can’t really have one pair that does everything! So I personally have 3 pairs (all currently leak btw!) As they all need renewing because they are old. But a super light pair for the ‘just in case’ a heavier pair, and a winter salopette pair for when it’s raining or gonna be in crap most or all of the day.

Extremities:

Image with dachsteins on?

I’ll always recommend a pair of gloves when travelling to the Cuillins. Even if this is just a thin liner pair when conditions dictate. The picture below just shows a small selection from my glove draw. I’ll usually carry a thicker pair, the top left pair for grabbing and handling rope, and more often than not some pairs for clients or usually bring those in the car and chat/check before we set off. My go to cold weather gloves are my trusty Dachsteins! The old school mountain men and women of old knew these things worked! Not the most dextrous but boy in wet cold, or even frosty and freezing conditions these things WORK! Combined with a small liner glove underneath they’re awesome. Other things to consider is the good old wooly hat preferably with a Windstopper material combined. And or a sun hat – Image showing my Patagonia wide brim hat which is awesome for keeping the harmful rays off you head face and often forgotten ears! Has a built in SPF rating too and a chin strap. 

Some ‘Classic’ gloves for all seasons

Socks:

When we think extremities we often forget about the tootsies. A good pair of hiking socks thick enough not to receive a blister particularly with un trained feet, doesn’t go a miss. I really like Teko socks. An Edinburgh based company with great customer service and they make various weight socks for all seasons. Check them out here: Tek

Boots/Trainers:

This is a biggie to be honest. If your agile, nimble on your pins and weather dictates good approach shoes. Good as in sturdy reputable and with a good sole. My Black Diamond Missions have been surprisingly good. For some reason I thought that they wouldn’t last but they have proved me wrong. The picture shows them in action on the Inn Pinn together with a collection of some of my other boots. All of which at some time or another have set foot on the Cuillins. The most used are the La Sportiva Boulder X’s of which I have a spare pair (as well as a better pair seen in the picture) just in case Sportiva decides not to make them anymore. There was outcry when they first suggested it! And my Scarpa boots – Ribelle’s which I love Scarpa footwear. The SL’s – Leather are always a classic go to when it’s pissing it down, combined with a small Goretex gaiter they are pretty legendary. Albeit a bit clumpy and for me not as precise on the rock. If in doubt a pair of or similar too the Scarpa’s will be great. 

A selection of my boots

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Black Diamond Mission Approach shoes on the Inn Pinn

Rucksacks

It’s no good turning up with one of those go to the beach packs that you can barely get your sarnies in and nothing else! You want a 30L minimum for days out, and if you are overnighting then a 45/60L pack if you can pack RIGHT! And or have lightweight modern bivvy bag and sleeping bag. Invariably I like to ask clients to help carry the kit up and down the Cuillins so maybe a rope and definitely you’ll need to carry you’re own harness and helmet. 

There is now more choice than ever when it comes to packs. What I will say is that a lot of clients stash kit especially water bottles to the outside of their packs. This is all cool if rambling in the hills, although you won’t see it on my pack. When we get Scrambling and Climbing the number of bottles that slip out far out weighs the number that don’t…So if you’re gonna carry stuff on the outside remember to stash it, and have enough room to stash it in your pack before doing these activities. 

Some things to consider and some people like these and others not so it’s no deal breaker but it’s up to your personal preference:

• A bladder pouch/hole for tube/hydration compatible
• A lid that closes ‘over the top’ rather than a pull cord design
• Outside pockets – see note above
• Rain cover
• Walking pole attachments
• Rope carrier
• Internal/exterior helmet carrier

Patagonia Terravia 28L Rucksack

Overnight kit:

Left this till last as most don’t overnight on the Cuillins. But our traverse package does. Here

This does vary slightly depending on weather, but you definitely want to be warmer than colder. So I carry a lightweight down or synthetic jacket for the evenings, and your waterproof bottoms to cut the wind out whilst sat around. You’ll also need a closed cell foam mat – Basically one that won’t puncture on the sharp rocks, or you take your chances carrying one that might for the trade off for extra comfort. 

Bivvy Bag:

You will also need a bivvy bag, so something like the Alpkit Hunka is pretty good and wont break the bank. We maybe able to help out with these items depending on the instructor as they may have spares for you to borrow. Rab also do various bags but they generally get more expensive. Vinted is now a good source of second hand kit so keep your eyes peeled for some bargains! 

Stove:

This can be a simple affair, so something like the MSR Pocket rocket, to the Primus Trail Stove. What I would say is the one pot affair type stoves – Jetfoil etc are ok but bit limited if sharing, which I recommend you do to save carrying two. Instructors can also help with this. Ow and don’t forget the gas and lighter! If needed. But would always recommend brining one just in case the auto ignition doesn’t work. A windshield is always useful but can often build a mini shelter anyway to get behind whilst cooking. 

Sleeping bag:

This is the hardest to get right. I use a Rab down bag – Neutrino 400 down filled bag with a Quantum pro – fancy meaning if it’s damp, your bag should remain from taking on moisture – exterior. This bags best part of £400! But you don’t need to spend all that and something that’ll go down to around about 4 degrees comfortably would be ideal. That said you tend to have to pay for that so one that’ll go down to maybe 8 degrees and you can always wear extra layers and that down or synthetic jacket I mentioned earlier. For a night that should keep you toasty. 

We don’t hire or lend bags out due to hygiene reasons. So having you’re own is a must. Plus a good bag will last you decades if looked after.