Mountaineering Equipment

TENTS
3-59. When selecting a tent, the mission must be defined to determine the number of people the tent will
accommodate. The climate the tents will be used in is also of concern. A tent used for warmer temperatures
will greatly differ from tents used in a colder, more harsh environment. Manufacturers of tents offer many
designs of different sizes, weights, and materials.

Mountaineering tents are made out of a breathable or weatherproof material. A single-wall tent
allows for moisture inside the tent to escape through the tent’s material. A double-wall tent has a
second layer of material (referred to as a fly) that covers the tent. The fly protects against rain
and snow, and the space between the fly and tent helps moisture to escape from inside. Before
using a new tent, the seams should be treated with seam sealer to prevent moisture from entering
through the stitching.

The frame of a tent is usually made of an aluminum or carbon fiber pole. The poles are
connected with an elastic cord that allows them to extend, connect, and become long and rigid.
When the tent poles are secured into the tent body, they create the shape of the tent.

Tents are rated by a relative strength factor, the speed of wind a tent can withstand before the
frame deforms. Temperature and expected weather for the mission should be determined before
choosing the tent.

SKIS
3-60. Mountaineering skis are wide and short. They have a binding that pivots at the toe and allows for the
heel to be free for uphill travel or locked for downhill. Synthetic skins with fibers on the bottom can be
attached to the bottom of the ski and allow the ski to travel forward and prevent slipping backward. The
skins aid in traveling uphill and slow down the rate of descents. Wax can be applied to the ski to aid in
ascents instead of skins. Skis can decrease the time needed to reach an objective depending on the ability of
the user. Skis can make crossing crevasses easier because of the load distribution, and they can become a
makeshift stretcher for casualties. Ski techniques can be complicated and require thorough training for
adequate proficiency.

SNOWSHOES
3-61. Snowshoes are the traditional aid to snow travel that attach to most footwear. Snowshoes have
evolved into small, lightweight designs that are more efficient than older models. Snowshoes offer a large
displacement area on top of soft snow, preventing tiresome post-holing. Some snowshoes come equipped
with a crampon like binding that helps in ascending steep snow and ice. Snowshoes are slower than skis,
but are better suited for mixed terrain, especially if personnel are not experienced with the art of skiing.
When carrying heavy packs, snowshoes can be easier to use than skis.

SKI POLES
3-62. Ski poles were traditionally designed to assist in balance during skiing. They have become an
important tool in mountaineering for aid in balance while hiking, snowshoeing, and carrying heavy packs.
They can take some of the weight off of the lower body when carrying a heavy pack. Some ski poles are
collapsible for ease of packing when not needed (Figure 3-30). The basket at the bottom prevents the pole
from plunging deep into the snow and, on some models, can be detached so the pole becomes an avalanche
or crevasse probe. Some ski poles come with a self-arrest grip, but should not be the only means of
protection on technical terrain.

26 July 2012

TC 3-97.61

3-27