This is my version of a time-tested list of equipment for a 2-6 day non-technical winter expedition (original credits to Bernard Ng, Chris Wee and others). I tend to be more of an overpacker than a minimalist and the list already reflects that, so think twice before adding more items.

The basic rules of outerwear are:

(a) dress in layers (forget about "all in one" designs). You will use a moisture-wicking layer close to your body (usually made of polypropilene), an air-trapping insulating layer next (usually fleece or wool), and a waterproof/breathable layer next (GoreTex is the market reference, but there are other brand names for the laminate material).

(b) avoid cotton. It is great for your pajamas and for the beach. It doesn't work for the outdoors. Cotton will absorb water and perspiration and freeze when it gets really cold.

(c) your life may depend on the equipment. Favor quality and functionality over fashion or price. Use common sense and expert advice. For example, you can use consumer fleece from Target instead of an expensive Patagonia, but do not take a cheap nylon jacket as your outer shell. REI is going mainstream/consumer, but it is still probably the best place to shop for climbing equipment.

Below are two lists. One is a generic list. The other is an example for a 2-day Mt. Shasta trip.

Expedition Equipment Checklist (updated 06/2005)

Personal stuff:

• First layer: Thermal skin. Made of polypropilene, nylon/poliester, or another moisture wicking material. Take one complete set (top and bottom) per night you spent on the mountain (up to 3 for longer trips). Select between lightweight or expedition weight depending on expected weather.
• Second layer: Fleece Jacket. Use a good quality, medium or heavy weight fleece. Pockets, front zipper, reinforced shoulders and elbows are useful features. North Face and Patagonia are good brands, but good quality consumer fleece works.
• Shell: Good quality jacket with hood and pants made of Goretex or equivalent breathable/waterproof laminate material. "Water Resistant" is not enough. North Face is the reference, Marmot and Columbia are less expensive.
• Socks: Anything comfortable that is not made of cotton. Socks must be snug (if you wear shoes size 9 and buy "one size fits all", they are probably too big). I like "Ultimax" (by Wingwan). Sock liners (made of propylene) are also be useful to avoid blisters. Take one pair per day on the mountain.
• Gloves: Ski gloves work. Preferably made of waterproof/breathable laminated material. Glove liners are good.
• Shorts: one pair to wear over thermals (anything will do).
• Underwear: as many as you think you need, coolmax is better but you regular undies will do.
• Boots: Must be crampon-compatible (full shank, clip fittings). For Spring climbing, lightweight boots are more comfortable (mine are made by La Sportiva). For fresh snow, heavy duty plastic boots are recommended. Kolflach is the reference in plastic boots.
• Hat: wide brim if you expect lots of sun, balaclava if you expect cold and windy conditions
• Gaters: To prevent pebbles and snow from entering your boots. Anything will do.
• Backpack: Buy  a large one (3500+ cu in), with an internal frame. Avoid external frames (those are for flat trails). Pockets, compartiments, clips are good.
• Summit pack (2000 cu). Enough to carry water, some food and jacket
• Straps: Get several pairs. Useful to secure sleeping pads and other items to the pack.
• Sleeping Bag: Get a good quality sleeping bag (20 F or better). Syntetic materials are less expensive and low-maintenance. Goose down packs lighter and smaller but can lose insulation in wet conditions.
• Sleeping pad: I bring a couple of low-tech foam pads (RidgeRest), but the expensive inflatable "Thermarest" also works.
• Ice axe: with leash. If you hold it down barefoot, its tip should be one or two inches from the floor.
• Crampons: for glacier travel, not front-pointing. Grivel is a popular brand.
• Sunglasses and/or goggles
• Headlamp with extra batteries
• Helmet: for head protection. Bike helmets are better than nothing
• Nalgene widemouth Lexan water bottles. Yes, you can bring your hydration pack, but do not rely on it. Bladders can burst, don't work with water filters, cannot collect running water, tubing will freeze. Yes, Target sells lexan bottles, but Nalgene is the real stuff and doesn't cost much more nowadays. You need at least two bottles and a total of 4 liters of water carrying capacity.
• Plastic whistle for signaling and emergency
• Swiss army knife
• Lexan spoon
• Lexan cup or plastic bow
• Sunblock
• Toilet paper in a handy ziploc bag
• Medications that you need
• Day-time food (bars, nuts, jerky, cheese, etc)
• Camera/Film (optional)
• Plastic wristwatch with alarm. Important for meeting times and progress tracking
• Toilletries, Moist wipes. Foot care (band-aid, moleskin, duct tape)
• Nylon stuffing bags (to organize gear)
• Ziploc bags (useful for food, garbage, clothing)
• Plastic bags. They weight nothing and can be used to protect gear in case of rain/snow, as improvised vapor barrier in case your boots get wet, to carry garbage, etc.

• Tent: Get a good convertible 4-season tent. You can use it for mountaineering and leisure camping. 4-season tents can be zipped so that it is all solid walls (not mesh) and have sturdy poles that can resist strong winds.
• Metal stakes and rope to secure tent
• Repair Kit in long expeditions (for tent, stove, etc)
• Stove/Gas/Matches. Mountaineering stoves burn white gas. The amount of gas depends on several factors, but a rule of thumb is one litter of white gas per 6 persons per night spent in the mountain. Propane (and other types of gas) do not work well in high elevations.
• Cookware (two saucepans to boil water)
• Food: Hot meals are important. The most efficient and practical are cook-in-the-bag freeze dried food. Instant noodles, dehydrated potato, instant oatmeal are other options.
• Filter, Iodine. Filters can eliminate protozoa and other solid matter. Iodine kills whatever is left. In the US, giardia is the main concern and, in theory, microfilters alone can do the job. Newer water purification systems (based on oxidizing brine or UV) are also available. There is additional info on water purification in this site.
• Map/Compass/Altimeter/Binoculars
• Rope
• First-aid Kit
• Shovel/Bucket
• Communication device (cell phone/radio)

Equipment Checklist for a 2-day early summer climb of Mt. Shasta (updated 06/2005)

Personal stuff:

• 1 or 2 thermal bottoms
• 2 thermal tops
• 1 mid-weight fleece jacket
• 1 waterproof shell with hood
• 1 pair of waterproof pants
• 2 pairs of sock liners
• 2 pairs of trekking socks
• 1 pair of glove liners
• 1 pair of waterproof gloves
• 1 pair of nylon shorts
• 2 sets of underwear
• 1 pair of crampon-compatible boots
• 1 hat
• 1 montaneering helmet
• 1 pair of gaters (not needed in late summer)
• 1 internal frame backpack (3500+ cu in)
• 1 Summit pack (2000 cu)
• 4 straps
• 1 sleeping bag 20F or better
• 1 foam sleeping pad
• 1 Ice axe with leash
• 1 pair of crampons
• 1 Sunglasses and/or goggles
• 1 Headlamp with extra batteries
• 4 Nalgene widemouth Lexan water bottles
• 1 Plastic whistle for signaling and emergency
• 1 Swiss army knife
• 1 Lexan spoon
• Sunblock
• Toilet paper in a handy ziploc bag
• Medications that you need
• 2 packs of day-time food (bars, nuts, jerky, cheese, etc)
• 2 packs of freeze dried food
• 1 Plastic wristwatch with alarm
• Toilletries, Moist wipes. Foot care (band-aid, moleskin, duct tape)
• Nylon stuffing bags (to organize gear)
• Ziploc bags (useful for food, garbage, clothing)
• Plastic bags. They weight nothing and can be used to protect gear in case of rain/snow, as improvised vapor barrier in case your boots get wet, to carry garbage, to cover your backpack, protect boots from freezing, etc.

• 4-season tent (3-season can surivive in late summer)
• Metal stakes and rope to secure tent (usually not needed in late summer)
• Stove/Gas/Matches
• Cookware
• Filter, Iodine
• Map/Compass/Altimeter/Binoculars
• First-aid Kit
• Shovel (not needed in late summer)
• Communication device (cell phone/radio)