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 the technical point of view Ararat doesn’t have any difficulties, there are no cliffs, glaciers or dangerous passes. For an ascent you have to have an appropriate equipment and of course a hiking experience.
One of the most primary questions is about the appropriate mountain clothing and hiking equipment. According to our experience in hiking and mountaineering we have made a gear list which will help you to get prepared for the ascent. The list is made special for the ascent to Ararat. Unlike other hikes, during this hikes all your heavy stuff will be carried by horses. You will 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, which later will be carried by horses. If you don’t have a big backpack, you can put your things in a big bag, which will be possible to carry on horses. You aren’t going to carry it by yourself.
Hiking backpack
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.
Small hiking backback
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.
Thermal underwear
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.
Fleece jacket
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. It should be made of membrane fabric, be waterproof and warm. The material of pants can be natural, from goose feathers, or it can be synthetic. Natural material is lighter and is better at keeping the warmth. Equally warm synthetic material is usually heavier, but also cheaper. Let your preferences guide you. The membrane layer is waterproof and breathable at the same time.
Hiking pants
Hiking Jacket
You should have 2 jackets. One should be light, for hiking, the other should be a warm winter jacket, which will protect from the wind and low temperature. Make sure that your jacket has a hood.
Hiking jacket
T-Shirt
You should have several T-shirts appropriate for different temperatures.
T-shirt
Hiking sun hat
Hiking sun hat
Warm Hat
Take 2 pair of winter hats.
Hiking winter hat
Buff
The buffs keep you not only from wind and dust, but also from snow and cold. While walking the buffs keep the neck from wind. And if there is a hard wind you just raise it to cover your face.
Buff
Gloves
Gloves and mittens (2 pairs). 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, forth category – 3-8%. Since there is not that much snow on Ararat in summer, sunglasses of the third category with be just right.
Hiking sunglasses
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.
Raincoat
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.
Socks
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: Zamberlan, Lowa, Scarpa, Asolo, LaSportiva.
Hiking boots
Spare Boots
Till 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.
Trekking poles
Camping gear
Sleeping bag
Sleeping bag has three temperature level – 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 comfort indicator of -5 to -10. On the second camp the weather can reach -4 degrees Celsius.
Sleeping bag
Slippers
Sneakers, slippers and other lightweight shoes to give your feet a rest in the camp.
Crocs
Additional things and electronics
Thermos (0,5 l)
On our way to the top the water usually freezes so it’s obligatory to have a thermos so you can drink a tea or water during the cold.
Thermos
Forehead flashlight with several additional batteries
As we begin walking to the top on Mount Ararat at 1 o’clock in the night so it’s obligatory to have a head flashlight. Before the hike you should check the battery as the last day it should work for 5 hours.
Forehead flashlight
Power bank (minimum 10.000 mAh)
The ascent to Mount Ararat lasts several days. Also taking into account changing weather conditions in mountains, phones can die faster. Be sure to bring along a minimum 10.000 mAh power bank, so that you can use your phone longer.
Power bank
Personal first-aid kit
You can see the contents of first-aid kit here. In the article we tried to collect all of the essential medications and other things that must be in your personal first-aid kit.
Important to know! Some may be allergic to certain medications and substances. The presented list of medications is not absolute. Before taking any medications, make sure that you are not allergic to any of them. Also, before offering a medicine to someone, make sure that they also don’t have any allergies.
Personal first-aid kit
Other
- Underwear
- Phone
- Personal documents, wallet (store these in zip-lock cases to keep them from getting dirty or wet)
- Rain-cover for backpack or plastic bags for packing the things
- Swimsuit
- Hygienic supplies
- Container for water
- Hygienic lipstick
- Sunscreen cream or spray (minimum SPF 50)
- Camera
On Ararat, it is necessary to use a sunscreen and a lip balm, since most of the time we will walk under the burning sun.
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