As an avid outdoors man I recently decided to attempt a summit of one of the largest 
mountains in Southern California Mt Baldy. You can read the full review here, but in short I was not prepared for hiking in the snow and ice conditions that were presented. Because of this, when I returned safely, I went back to the drawing board on the essentials necessary for a successful high altitude climb in snowy conditions. The list is as follows.
While this is a no brainier for most avid hikers, there is a difference between a decent pair of hiking boots, and a good all weather pair. Believe me, in bad conditions it can be lifesaving to have boots that keep your feet warm and dry as well. Spend the extra money on a good pair of boots, it will pay off in the long run.
Your hands are another of the extremities that can become useless when cold, so making sure they are warm is essential. When hiking though, having gloves that still give you movement is a must so don’t know invest in any snowboard or regular snow gloves. Get a good pair of wind resistant gloves and your hands will have an enjoyable hike.
Another essential on any high altitude summit is a good set of hiking poles. As any hiker would know, attempting a summit without poles is like gambling with your body. Without poles even hikers with the best balance and shoes are susceptible to slips on the ice. Make sure your poles can plant in the ice in order to give increased traction.
Even a good pair of hiking boots won’t keep your from slipping when there is a lot of ice. Investing in crampons, or their cheaper but still effective cousin ice cleats, can help you walk freely over the iciest of treks. If you leave without these you may as well go home, the safety of a high altitude hike in snow decreases exponentially without crampons or ice cleats.
I know for most hikers they may never use an ice ax, but if you are attempting a high altitude summit during the winter, an ice ax is essential to have. During our hike there were over five situations where a fall could end in a long slide and if you don’t have a way to stop yourself a fall like this can be deadly. An ice ax can easily be carried during the parts of the hike where you need it and stowed when there is no danger of slipping. If attempting a high altitude hike, or a hike with a good incline, in the snow you should invest in a good ax.
A good first aid kit should never leave your pack even on a normal hike. Most first aid kits come with everything from medicine to bandages. Many modern medical kits come with gear repair items as well to make simple repairs to your pack when out in the wilderness. If you do not have one, buy one today.
A routine hike in bad conditions is like a used car. It works the way it supposed to most of the time, but when it doesn’t, it can be really costly. Because of this it is even more essential to be prepared on hikes where the conditions are not ideal. A headlamp will make getting back in the dark much easier then trying to simply use the moons light. It is also essential if you get stranded over night to have a signal light as well as a way to see where you are heading.
Another worst case scenario item is a fire starter. They take up almost no space in your pack but can be a life saver if you are stranded on the mountain. Make sure your pack always has one.
This should go without saying, but if you are attempting a summit over 10,000 ft and in bad conditions, you should always pack way more food then you need. Whether it is
Lastly, the biggest problem when hiking high altitudes is oxygen and your body getting used to air being thinner. In a hike around 10 to 11 thousand feet you will only start to feel this, but for knowing it is there is essential. Make sure not to push your body past the limit during these hikes as your body must acclimate to the altitude to avoid sickness and excessive fatigue.
If you can think of anything I forgot leave it in the replies.
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This is a great post and has motivated me to do a similar post. Living in Calgary, Alberta and playing in the Rocky Mountains pretty much every weekend of the year, and that includes the winter months, all the things you listed are absolutely necessary. I have everything except the ice ax, which is on my to-get list. I keep a few sets of Hot Shots for my hands and feet in my pack. I find mittens keep my fingers warmer then gloves when it is really cold, so where there are long stretches when I don’ t need a lot of hand movement then the mittens are great. I put the Hot Shots in the mittens at the trailhead so they are nice and warm when I need them later on. My First Aid Kit is a Survival Kit too, and includes things like spare batteries for my headlamp, a mylar blanket, and more Hot Shots. During the winter, I keep a down jacket in my pack. It compacts down quite small and fits into a small pocket. It’s great to put on when I stop for lunch. What I listed are a few extras that I like to take along to make for a more enjoyable experience.
Good list indeed. I think you covered some essential basics.
I just want to add Sunscreen–while it might not be an actual life-saver, it certainly adds some serious skin protection from the amplified glare of sunlight off the snow.
Also, a good Dry/Wind Layer, like a lightweight rain jacket and/or a wind-resistant shell. Can adds loads of comfort if the weather changes on you!