In regards to gear plan for a worst case scenario especially as most people on this trip will have little or no experience in the snow. It could hit -10C and/or it could rain. So a sleeping bag that is rated to -5C is ok because you can wear your warm clothes in the bag if you are still cold pull your head inside. You may not be warm but you will live and that’s mountaineering. Wet clothes you can put inside your bag with you (ie socks, gloves, etc) this lets them dry and stops them from freezing

So when it comes to choosing gear pick stuff that is waterproof or retains most of its heat when wet. Synthetic gear does that. So in Oz synthetic bags and jackets are best else where down is a serious option in other countries because it is warmer, lighter and packs smaller.

Clothing

Water proof pants (need I say breathable is good and Gore-Tex/Event are too expensive and unnecessary – so anybreathable fabric is fine)

Water proof jacket

Gaiter’s (optional) they will stop your ski pants getting holes in them from crampons

3 pairs of woollen socks

2 sets of gloves 1 set can be mittens (there warmer less dexterity though). 1 set is for going out and doing stuff during the day (they will get wet and they go in your sleeping bag with you when you sleep) the other set is for using around camp at night when wet gear is bad.

1 Thermal gloves (optional)

1 top and bottom thermals

1 fleece pants

2 fleece jackets or down jacket (fleece specials can be surprisingly cheap)

1 set of sun glasses

1 set of goggles this is nicer in a storm and also a back up in case you break your glasses (may stop you from going blind) And yes you NEED both.

1 Beanie

Sleeping

2 sleeping mats we will be sleeping on snow, it takes all your body heat 2 mats is warmer than one. Closed cell foam mats are the cheapest and the warmest. I use 1 3/4 length thermarest 1 full-length closed cell foam mat.

Sleeping bag –5C is the highest you can bring

Thermalite inner (optional) adds another 8C to the bag so you can bring a 0C sleeping bag Cost $70

Tent a 4 season is best 3 season is ok. Can be shared with another person or borrowed.

Cooking

2 1Ltr water bottles at least 1 needs to be a Nalgene (wide mouth is nice here) so you can fill it up easy and so you can put boiling water in it and then you got a hot water bottle.

1 large bowl

Cup

Plate (optional) only if your bowl is too small.

Knife fork spoon

Pocket knife

Sauce pan you can share with a mate.

Stove you can share with a mate.

Steel wool

Garbage bags

Gear (best if you already own it though you can hire it)

Boots (mountaineering boots are the best but they cost $400, so will hire plastic Telemark boots instead)

Snowshoes or skis

Ski Poles

Harness

Belay device

Carabiners

Pack 80 ltrs

Sun cream

Group Gear

Ice axe

Snow shovel

Snow stakes

Ice screws

1 set of nuts

Slings

Rope

Crampons

Poo tube

Toilet paper

Hand sanitizer

Food

Bring more than you think you need. And light is good.

Soup is good

Hot drink mixes

Scroggen is awesome (probably spelt it wrong)

Water purifier (optional)