north face base camp travel pack review

The North Face Base Camp Voyager Review: A Lighter, Durable Upgrade to an Iconic Duffel

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I have always been a fan of duffel bags. They’re compact, more portable than a rolling suitcase, and perfect for overnight outings near home as well as weeklong getaways overseas. I’ve tried numerous duffels over many adventures and have found that not all duffel bags are created equally. One bag, in particular, stands out: The North Face’s Base Camp duffels. And if there were an all-star team for duffel bags, the newer Base Camp Voyager would make the first string.

In short: The Base Camp Voyager is very similar to the rest of the Base Camp series, with a slightly different and lighter body fabric with a bunch of recycled updates. Plus, it’s slightly better designed when it comes to an EDC, gym gear, or carry-on travel bag — there are more exterior compartments, including one for a laptop, and it’s easier to organize.

It’s also smaller than the smallest of the Base Camp standard duffel series (50L), making it carry-on-sized for most airlines. Despite the difference in fabric (The North Face went from 1,000-denier to 300-denier for the body), this bag held up super well over several months of testing.

The North Face Base Camp Voyager Duffel

• Materials 300-denier recycled polyester tarpaulin with non-PFC DWR, 840-denier bottom
• Compartments 5 (main compartment, laptop sleeve, 2 exterior pockets, 1 internal compartment)
• Water-repellent
• External lash points
• Removable backpack straps
• Dimensions 23" x 14.67" x 10.2"
• Weight 2 lbs. 5 oz.
• Carry-on size, unlike other Base Camp duffels
• Lighter-weight exterior fabric
• Wide zipper opening for easy packing
• More organization
• No shoulder strap included
• Not the most durable

TNF Base Camp Voyager Review: Tested on Land, Air, and Sea

Who this bag is for.

At 42L, the Base Camp Voyager is compact but still has plenty of room to stash your things. It’s perfect for quick overnight trips and meets carry-on bag requirements for airplanes. And so far, it’s proved super durable, so it also doubles nicely as a gear bag for stashing climbing gear, surf supplies, or anything else.

We beat it up over a course of several months from flights and trips in the car, to use as a surf and gear bag at the beach.

Upgraded Recycled Materials

Designed with the environment in mind, one of the key upgrades from the Base Camp duffel is that the body is made from 300-denier recycled polyester tarpaulin with TPU laminate. Additionally, the boot is made from 840-denier recycled ballistic nylon with a non-PFC durable water-repellent finish (same as the rest in the series). Finally, The North Face finished the bag with recycled webbing, buckles, and mesh. The only part on the bag that’s not recycled is the zippers.

Carry-On Size Comfort

As the name suggests, the Base Camp Voyager was designed for…voyaging. So, we wanted to put all-day travel and its comfort to the test. The duffel sports padded shoulder straps that unclip and can be tucked away behind the back panel, so you can carry it as a backpack or a duffel. The bag also has side handles that help the bag sit away from your body, so it’s not constantly swinging into you as you walk.

Other thoughtful features include an external, secure-zip, padded 15-inch laptop pocket, an internal zippered pocket for stashing essentials, and a zippered exterior pocket. The duffel has an adjustable and removable divider in the main compartment to help keep gear organized. Lastly, the duffel has external webbing with multiple lash points for attaching extra gear.

When the Base Camp Voyager first arrived in the mail, I was worried it might be too small for my needs. But after sitting down with it and getting everything together that I needed for a trip down the coast, I found it was the perfect size. At 42L it can hold quite a bit, but it’s a manageable size that’s easy to carry and easily fits in an overhead bin should you be utilizing air transportation.

I tend to be the type of packer that throws everything in my bag without rhyme or reason and calls it good to go. I’m working on getting more organized and the Base Camp Voyager has proved to help immensely with that. I travel for work, so the padded laptop sleeve was perfect for keeping my laptop safe and sound. I liked that the divider in the main pocket was removable because I wanted it for some occasions, but not all. The external zippered pocket was perfect for storing quick-access items like my glasses, keys, wallet, and passport.

I’ve tested my fair share of gear, and was surprised by how durable this duffel is. I’ve only owned the pack for a few months, but I have no doubt it will withstand years of adventures, even if I’m not super gentle with it (letting it ride in the back of a truck on a drive down the coast, for example). The water-repellent finish makes the duffel water-resistant, which is perfect for me as I spend a lot of time in tropical climates where it rains frequently.

In addition to fitting clothing and other travel essentials , I found the Base Camp Voyager worked well for stashing my wetsuit and swimsuit after surfing and diving. I’m also a big fan of the option to convert between backpack and shoulder straps. When I found myself walking far, I simply transformed the duffel into a backpack, and I was good to go.

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The Base Camp Voyager has everything I could want in a duffel bag. It’s lightweight, comfortable for hours, and has ample storage space for all my things. If you are already a fan of the Base Camp duffel series and are looking for more organization or something made with recycled materials that can be put through the wringer, the Base Camp Voyager is one duffel to consider.

Rebecca was born and raised in Orange County, and she has spent countless hours exploring the California coastline. She loves surfing and standup paddling and recently relocated to Oahu, Hawaii to chase her childhood dream of being a professional beach bum. When she’s not in the ocean, you can find her running the local trails or sleeping under the stars alongside her adventure pup, Koa.

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North Face Base Camp Voyager 32L

This North Face Basecamp Voyager 32 post may contain affiliate links meaning if you click on a link, we may receive a small commission, at no cost to you. Please read our full policy below , thank you for your support!

North Face Base Camp Voyager 32L Review

Cost: $125.00 Capacity: 32 liters Dimensions: 22.7″ x 13.8″ x 8.7″ (57.6 x 35 x 22 cm) Style: Duffel Weight : 2.0 lbs (0.91 kg) Laptop: 15” Materials: 840D Nylon; TPE laminate; YKK zips Origin: Made in Vietnam

North Face Base Camp Voyager

North Face Base Camp XS

The Base Camp Voyager is an upgraded version of the North Face Base Camp. This is a simple packable travel duffel with improved carry comfort, interior organization, and a dedicated laptop compartment.

Compare to Base Camp

The Voyager can be compared to the XS size of the regular Base Camp , which is 31 liters, while the Voyager here is 32L. The next size up of Base Camp is the small at 50 liters, which is too big for carry on travel

I have the smallest 32 liter version of the Voyager here. It also comes in two larger sizes, a huge 62 version, and 42 liter size which could also be used as a carry on. The listed dimensions are little larger than what the bag is. It’s listed as 22.7″ x 13.8″ x 8.7″ (57.6 x 35 x 22 cm). The length of my bag fully packed is closer to 21.5-22”, the width is accurate, and the depth is closer to just 8” instead of 8.7”

They advertise the Voyager as a durable “expedition” style duffel. And while they do use decent materials here, it’s really more of a mid-grade pack that uses 300D polyester, with a waterproof coating. This bag will hold up well to abuse, but the materials aren’t nearly as nice as bags like the Patagonia Black Hole , or the Thule Chasm .

Zippers and Buckles

They do use YKK zippers on the Voyager, but I think by looking at the buckles between some other brands you can see the difference in quality. North Face buckles are quite a bit smaller, less expensive Woojin brand. While Patagonia uses much larger, higher quality Duraflex buckles.

External Components

The Exterior of the Voyager has some upgraded features over the regular North Face Base camp including two pockets and several carry options as well as a water bottle pocket.

Top Slash pocket

There’s a small slash pocket on one end of the bag. It’s thin but takes up the full volume of the top. On the other side is a larger pocket that the bag folds into. It also takes up the full volume of the end of the bag but it’s quite a bit deeper. You can put shoes or dirty laundry in here, but only the middle panel is waterproof not the fabric around the sides. So anything wet in here could leak into the main compartment.

Water Bottle

The side water bottle pocket has an expandable button clasp. Unexpanded it will hold a slim bottle, and expanded it easily holds up to a 1L Nalgene.

Laptop compartment

One upgrade on the Voyager is a dedicated laptop compartment. Accessed from the exterior side of the pack behind the backpack straps which is also the lid. It is nice to have this feature but the padding on this pocket is a little thin .There’s no padding on the back and on the front is a very thin foam.

It’s also rather small. They advertise it as large enough for a 15” laptop, however my 15.5” Dell is too large to fit. Smaller 13” laptops will fit in here fine, but the mid-sized laptop may or may not depending on your model.

The seams will keep your laptop away from the sides of the pack. But because the padding is so thin, your laptop isn’t very well protected from the back and you’re going to feel it against your back when you’re carrying the duffel as a backpack.

Carry System

The Carry system on the Voyager consists of stowable backpack straps, 4 side carry handles, but no over-the-shoulder strap. The shoulder straps are decently wide, but slightly thinner than what I see in other packs. They also don’t come with a sternum strap but there is daisy chain webbing if you wanted to attach an after-market strap.

Stowability

The straps are removable with a hidden buckle on the bottom. The top attaches with an aluminum toggle. There’s no dedicated pocket for the straps, but you can completely remove them and store them in the main compartment.

Carry Handles

There are 4 carry handles on the Voyager and a thick double strap of webbing that goes all the way around the pack, adding a lot of durability. This bag doesn’t come with an over-the-shoulder straps, but there are daisy chain loops all around the webbing, so it’s very easy to attach an after-market shoulder strap in almost any orientation you want

If you did want to carry the bag this way, it’s rectangular. So, it’s going to work much better if you attach the straps on the side as opposed to the top ecause it will lay better on your hip.

Back Padding

And again the lack of back padding is almost universal on this style of packable duffel. Compare to bags like Patagonia Black Hole, Thule Chasm, and the Osprey Daylite.

Interior Design and Organization

One of the great things about the Voyager is the simple design and giant main compartment. If you don’t have anything in the two end pockets you basically have the entire volume of the pack in the main compartment. Like most of these duffels there’s a big mesh pocket in the lid. But you’re going to be competing for space with the laptop compartment which is directly behind it.

Packing the North Face Voyager 32L Duffel

If this bag has only one good quality, it’s the huge main compartment. With an adjustable divider, simple design, padded fabric panel that attaches with nylon toggles. You can either attach it in the middle, or off to the side, remove the top toggle and lay it flat, or just remove it entirely from the pack.

Considering that duffels are just a large pocket where your gear can easily shift around. I’m kind of surpriced more bags don’t use something like this. It’s an easy way to add some interior organization without adding much weight. And it’s removable if you don’t want to use it.

The North Face Voyager is very easy to pack. My standard set of cubes fits easily in here, one medium Eagle Creek Isolate, and a Clean/Dirty cube. There’s also plenty of room on top for more gear in the large shoe pocket and two other pockets for smaller gear

North Face Voyager 32L Duffel Summary

I like the design and style on this pack. It’s lightweight and holds a ton of gear, however I’m not convinced the price matches the quality .I paid $125 for this bag, and in that price range you could pick up the Patagonia Black Hole Duffel ,which uses much better materials. Also compared to a pack like the Jack Wolfskin Expedition 30 which uses much thicker fabric, better zippers and hardware and only costs $70 on Amazon.

I run One Bag Travels as an independent website, I am not directly associated with, nor do I take payments from any of the companies featured on this site. My opinions are based on my personal experience with these products, as well as years of experience as an independent traveler.

Any revenue I receive from One Bag Travels is from affiliate marketing relationships, meaning if you click on one of the product links, I may receive a small commission at no cost to you. I strive to review products that I like, or are popular in the one bag/minimalist travel community, not just brands that I receive a commission on. Sometimes a company will send me a free product to review, I am however under no incentive or obligation to give them a favorable review.

The continued existence and success of One Bag Travels relies on the support of my readers. I believe providing thorough, honest, unbiased information is the best way to grow this support. I put a lot of work into my reviews, if you find this information was helpful in your decision, we encourage you to purchase through one of our affiliate links, at zero extra cost to you. This support allows me to continue providing the best reviews and content for you. Thank you for your support!

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Review: The North Face Base Camp Duffel Bag

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The North Face may be the poster child of the Gore-Tex jacket that swept 1990s fashion, but if it has a real icon among its catalog pages, it's the Base Camp duffel bag . Introduced in 1979, the Base Camp duffel has undergone few iterations and changes. Somewhere along the way, it became Alaska's third unofficial state symbol, alongside the grizzly bear and the bush plane. Yet that's more a function of how sparse the competition is when you need to haul 130 liters or more in a duffel and less a testament to its features, which are sparser than its competition.

The Base Camp shrugged off two weeks’ worth of travel to and onto an Alaskan glacier like it was going on a Sunday joyride. Its toughness impressed me. It was a more grizzled man of the mountain than any of us. But like a grizzled, old mountain man, the Base Camp's toughness comes with a lack of a few of the more civilized touches and niceties of its competitors. To put it simply, unless you need to carry more than 120 liters in one bag, we recommend duffels from REI, Patagonia, and Eagle Creek that have more features.

The Base Camp comes in six sizes, from extra small (31 liters) to extra-extra large (150 liters). The small is perfect for a long weekend trip, able to make it on board an airplane as a carry-on. At the hefty end of the scale, few companies make a 150-liter duffel. Most of the competition, such as the Patagonia Black Hole ($219) , tops out at 100 liters. For truly large expeditions, the Base Camp has few peers.

I gave an extra-large Base Camp the job of hauling 132 liters of precious mountain-climbing gear from New York to Seattle, Anchorage, Talkeetna, and the Kahiltna Glacier using a hodgepodge of SUVs, airliners, passenger trains, and bush planes. I used it as an impromptu seating and kneeling pad on abrasive glacier ice and left it outside the tent during multiple blizzards. You don't have to get it in yellow like I did, but it's the classic choice. You could choose from red, black, seafoam green, and a couple of blues.

The yellow is easy to see when you drop it from a plane and recover it later, but it does get marked up easily. Every yellow Base Camp I saw was blackened by the rigors of air travel. Black streaks worn like face paint appeared after the first time I checked the bag, and I've never seen a streak-less yellow Base Camp that wasn't brand-new. I can't say why, but I've never checked a bag that ended up looking so beat up after it reappeared at baggage claim, including the other duffels I tested in my guide to the Best Carry-On Travel Bags . Other colors fare better: A buddy's red Base Camp on the same trip didn't show any similar streaks.

Any humongous duffel bag needs to have backpack straps. Carrying them suitcase-style is too unwieldy and uncomfortable once you load it up with clothes and gear. I'm finding it harder and harder to recommend gigantic duffels that don't offer backpack straps. The Base Camp might be light on auxiliary features, but it does at least have straps.

They're … OK. Slightly padded, they didn't cause any discomfort, but I wouldn't call them comfortable; they simply did the job. The adjustable straps had a tendency to slip if you didn't give them a long, long tail, which got on my nerves. There's no pocket to slip them into when you're not using them, unlike REI's excellent Big Haul Duffel (8/10, WIRED Recommends) , so they just flop around and get in the way.

The carry handle is entirely unpadded and more of an actual problem than an annoyance. Putting anything heavy in the bag, which is easy with one that measures more than 100 liters, can make the handle unpleasant to use. It's a baffling decision for The North Face to make, since it wouldn't take much added material to improve the experience. REI’s Big Haul does this better, with a nicely padded handle that doesn't dig into my hand, even when I've loaded it with 40 pounds of gear.

The two also-unpadded grab handles on either end of the bag are burly, which makes it easy to flip around when you need to. Nothing is going to break on this bag without some concerted effort of punishment, I'll tell you that. I swung, slung, slammed, and grabbed this bag over and over with a load of heavy gear and never felt like I was even close to popping a stitch or starting to tear.

Rather than the rectangular shape of most duffels these days, the Base Camp is a big cylinder. That’s not much of a problem for gear packing, because there's always a soft tent, sleeping bag, or piece of clothing to stuff into the recesses of a duffel bag to take up the extra room. It could frustrate folks who fold their clothes rather than roll them, though.

The exterior fabric doesn't feel as nice to touch as Eagle Creek's bags or the REI Co-op Big Haul. It doesn't feel bad , just stiff. And the strap material feels like nothing special. Both telegraph a brawny robustness, though. The outer material, except for the bottom panel and the straps, is water-resistant. It's not a drybag or waterproof, and The North Face doesn't claim it to be, yet I let the Base Camp wallow among melting ice for more than a few days and splashed it a few times accidentally with snowfall that'd soon melt into liquid on its surface, and it never penetrated the material or got the stuff inside wet.

Running under the whole length of the lid lies a zippered mesh pocket. The mesh was thick and could contain a lot of spare gear. I packed it full of accessory cords, a compass, toiletries, maps, and even a climbing harness with a full load of carabiners. With these kinds of mesh pockets, I usually have to worry about overloading and tearing them. Not so with the Base Camp.

Tiny items tended to get lost in the cavernous space inside it. Competing bags do this better. Both the REI Big Haul and Patagonia Black Hole have an exterior zippered pocket—good for quick-grab items such as campsite registration papers and headlamps—as well as multiple small interior pockets to organize gear. There is an open mesh pocket inside one end of the Base Camp that's perfectly sized for a white-gas fuel bottle or any other gear you want somewhat separate from the main compartment, but while useful it doesn't help with organizing small bits of gear.

There are fabric tie-down loops all around the exterior of the bag for securing it with bungee cords, cargo straps, or rope to backcountry sleds or vehicles’ roof racks. REI's Big Haul has a few gaps in its tie-down loop coverage, but on the Base Camp they run the full length of the bag's sides. The compression straps work well to cinch the bag down as tight as possible, for everything from expedition sled to airline travel.

As a mass-market, general-use duffel bag in most sizes, the Base Camp is outclassed by competition. It's not a bad bag, it's just spartan. Part of the Base Camp's appeal is its rugged, no-nonsense build. The other is its iconic link to a more primitive state of the industry. Outdoor gear has few grandparents that are still usable today. Everything involved in the wide range of outdoor activities goes through constant cycles of evolution, so it's rare for one object to remain so relevant across several generations of outdoor enthusiasts.

No other duffel I've used feels as burly or as simple. Yet it's missing the thoughtful touches of feel-nice materials, the color-contrasting zipper pulls, and the surfeit of small stash pockets found in the REI Big Haul and Patagonia Black Hole —things I often use and like. The RedOxx Expedition comes closest to the Base Camp's grit and toughness, but then again it's $405 and is made from a non-water-resistant fabric, even if the sewing and hardware are top-notch.

If you need a duffel under 120 liters, the REI and Patagonia bags will offer you nearly the same toughness with more bang for your buck. Larger than that, the Base Camp is one of the very few options on the market. Of those few (less durable) options, though, the Base Camp is your best bet for a bag that can survive airplane cargo hold and outdoor adventures alike. If you dig its old-school vibe and heritage, it'll do any job you ask of it. Given my experience so far, it'll last years, and like any good tool, you can give it a job to do and then forget about it. I have my issues with it: I dislike the carry handle, the lack of pockets, and the fact that my yellow bag looks like an artifact from a war zone. But like a reliable, old farm truck, it still did the job, even if it did so without fancy fuss or flourish.

The Perfect Pack

The North Face Base Camp Duffel: Review

The Basecamp Duffel is an icon of hard-use luggage, seen hauling gear around the world. Patrik tests another modern classic.

After moving to a new base, and finding that the locker rooms were under renovations, I found myself in need of a new gym bag. I wanted a bag that would be big enough to hold a set of workout clothes and a full duty uniform, plus boots. Additionally if the bag could function as a gear hauler while traveling for work and fun that would be a great bonus.

After copious amounts of research I landed on the The North Face Base Camp Duffel , settling on the ‘Small’ size, which at 50L is not tiny. The Base Camp series ranges from 31L (Extra Small) to 150L (XXL) , so all kinds of uses can be accommodated in one of these offerings.

Quality & Comfort

The Base Camp Duffel has become legendary for its durability, mostly as a result of the materials chosen to construct this tank. 1000D Phthalate-Free TPE Fabric Laminate, 840D Jr. Ballistic Nylon was selected for the majority of the Duffel’s body. Not only does this material provide the bag with some light water resistance but I feel good in the knowledge that it’s mostly comprised of recycled PVC and ballistic nylon. The bottom of the bag has the same nylon but double walled to increase protection from being dragged on less-than-smooth surfaces. All of this is tied together with extra bar-tacks and double stitching giving the Base Camp Duffel a very robust feel and heft. 

Few things are harder on bags than a trip through an airport’s checked baggage section. Previously my go-to duffel for travel was a huge 80 Litre Eddie Bauer and while that bag worked great, after my first international flight I could already see fraying in the reinforced bottom fabric, which did not inspire confidence. After a few more trips I could see holes coming in the sides and bottom of said bag. Personally, I’m not someone to baby my gear but I was surprised to see this bag disintegrating in front of my very eyes. .

I’m happy to report that the Base Camp Duffel has held up exceptionally well to 18 plus international flights with only a few minor signs of wear worth mentioning. All of the stitching on this bag is top notch, I’m seeing no real frays in the fabric. With all of the use the grab handles get, I’m pretty impressed. Unlike on my old bag the bottom of this  TNF Duffel is double reinforced with a nylon shell to improve overall durability. I could kick this bag all the way to the front of the check-in counter at my airport and see no major wear marks.

The exterior of the Base Camp Duffel is packed with thoughtful touches that fit a “High Speed Low Drag” mentality. The North Face has included adjustable, alpine-cut shoulder straps that turn this traditional duffel into more of a backpack hybrid, though they can be removed. Personally I’m not a big fan of this feature as most duffel bags to include this one are not very comfortable in “Backpack Mode.” With that being said, when the bag is packed with stuff, the duffel is of cylindrical shape, which sits very well on the back. I opted to take one of the straps and attach it from one side of the bag to the other, creating a single shoulder strap. I found this to work best for my needs.

Along the exterior of the bag, TNF have sewn a row of daisy-chained nylon loops for attaching additional gear to the bag like carabiners , gloves and even rope . There are also four small compression straps along the exterior of the bag to tighten the contents together for more comfortable travel. Finally there are two padded side handles that serve as both duffel-carry and haul handles. 

Organization & Access

To me, duffel bags are really good for one thing: holding lots and lots of gear. Not only does the Base Camp Duffel succeed in this department, but The North Face has thrown in a few additional organization options along the bag. The main compartment is a D-shaped zip opening with a weather-resistant, zippered flap allowing for easy access to the inside of the pack.

The main compartment has a zippered mesh pocket and an end-cap mesh sleeve pocket for more organization. I found these to be good spots for documents, smaller items or the included backpack straps when not in use. On the exterior of the bag there is a small water-resistant ID window on top, and that’s about it. The Base Camp duffel, like most, is pretty slim on organization. The benefit of this simplicity is that, when  not in use, the duffel can be stowed away in an included mesh compression sack, to keep its overall footprint down. 

What’s Perfect 

• Build Quality is second to none, this is a bag that you will be able to use for years without worrying about it falling apart. 
• Well designed with lots of extra small quality of life features not seen on other duffels across the market 
• Offered in multiple sizes, to date North Face has six sizes of this bag so you can always find the size that fits your needs. 

What’s Not 

• Price: compared to other duffel bags on the market, the Base Camp line is expensive.. 
• Weight, all that durability comes with a cost and in pounds, 4.1 to be exact!
• When in backpack mode there’s no way to easily access gear inside the bag. 

Wrap Up 

Six months, 18 international flights and countless gym sessions later, I’m happy to report that this duffle lives up to the hype and is worth every hard earned penny I paid to get one. 

There is a reason why, since 1986, the Base Camp Duffel has been chosen for the most rigorous outdoor expeditions known to man. Its build quality is second to none, and it packs in enough extra features to allow for a variety of uses. Regardless of whether I’m going to the gym or prepping for a mission, the Base Camp Duffel will be able to accommodate whatever I ask of it.

Disclaimer : The Base Camp Duffel was purchased privately and subsequently used for this review. This review was not shared with The North Face prior to publication. Our reviews are impartial and never modified to keep a brand happy.

Published by Patrik Orcutt

View all posts by Patrik Orcutt

2 comments on “The North Face Base Camp Duffel: Review”

Patrik, I’ve hoped you might do a review of something and this did not disappoint. I’ve never been too much a fan of reviews when the item is clearly just out of the bag, so this was great. The pics were of course superb, especially of your hobby and and shit-hit-the-fan loadouts. This confirmed what I’ve observed whenever I see a stack of these getting dropped off for adventurers who were about to tackle something difficult; they hold up well.

I use TNF Basecamp duffles extensively; XS for  onebagging , S for motorcycle expeditions. The  weight  mentioned above is  incorrect . The S is 2 lbs 10.2 oz (1195 g), and the XS is 2 lbs 2.2 oz (970 g) which is why I 💕 these.

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The North Face Base Camp Duffel Is the Best Travel Bag

The North Face Base Camp duffel will fit everything you need, no matter the trip—and it's practically indestructible

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I’ve spent much of my life obsessed with gear. Throughout high school and college, I worked at outdoor retail stores and gave almost all the money I earned back to my employers for the newest puffies and bike accessories. Since then, my professional career has revolved around testing the latest and greatest pieces of equipment. So I was a bit miffed when the first piece of gear I got to test for Outside six years ago was not a new mountain bike, ultralight tent, or hydrophobic down sleeping bag but a humble duffel. 

There’s nothing sexy about a duffel bag. Hell, there are hardly enough features to warrant a full review of one. Which is why I’m shocked to say that of all the travel gear I’ve been lucky enough to test over the years, my North Face Base Camp duffel is one of my most prized possessions.

The design is nothing fancy—the most recent version has one zippered mesh pocket and a sleeve for smaller items and extra organization—and that’s fine. It has one job: to hold a ton of stuff. I have the extra-large version, at 132 liters, which is downright cavernous. When I first laid eyes on it, I thought it was far too large to be a practical suitcase, but I was wrong. Thanks to its ability to swallow gear, the bag quickly became my go-to hauler for skiing, hunting, and mountain-biking trips. I’ve even used it to carry video-production equipment on work assignments; there’s enough space to store a tripod, LED lights, and an entire 32-liter F-Stop Lotus camera pack . 

During the winter, my wife and I leave our helmets, goggles, gloves, ski jackets, socks, and layers packed in it at all times, using it as a holding tank for all the stuff we need for hut trips. Having all that space allows me to keep my gear organized in one place. The ability to combine multiple bags into one helps me avoid extra baggage fees when flying (as long as I stay under the weight limit), and it carries well for such a large suitcase, thanks to detachable shoulder straps and side handles. It also has four compression straps, in case you don’t quite fill it up. 

The best part about this bag, though, is that it’s crazy durable. I’m not sure when the word  bombproof  became part of the outdoor-gear lingo, but I wouldn’t be surprised if it originated with this duffel. The ballistic-grade nylon fabric is highly water resistant—my bag has been snowed on for hours and kept its contents totally dry. With double-stitched and reinforced seams, it almost never tears, but if you do manage to break it, it’s covered by a lifetime warranty .

Mine certainly has some scuffs but otherwise looks and works just as well as it did the day I (begrudgingly) got it. To me there’s no better tool for schlepping a ton of gear, and the Base Camp duffel’s uncanny ability to adapt to any sport or type of trip makes it a must-have for adventure travelers. 

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The North Face Base Camp Duffel Review

If you’re looking for a duffle to haul your gear while traveling, The North Face Base Camp Duffel is a solid option—but it’s not ideal for one-bag travel.

Our Verdict

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• Available in a large variety of sizes and colorways
• Versatile carry (and it’s comfortable too!)
• Cavernous main compartment holds a lot of gear
• The laminate exterior doesn’t feel nice and crinkles easily
• Doesn’t wear comfortably as a backpack on smaller frames
• You’ll either love or hate the lack of internal organization

Technical Details

Carry-on compliance.

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Disclaimer: We take the measurements of the bag provided by the manufacturer and compare them to the allowance listed on airline websites. This should be used as a guideline rather than a rule. Bags can change size as you pack them out, and every airline's interpretation of compliance is different. Just because a bag is listed as carry-on compliant here doesn't mean that the airline will interpret it that way.

Like the Look

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Weight (lb)

2.8 lb (1.3 kg)

12.8 in x 20.87 in x 12.8 in (32.5 x 53 x 32.5 cm)

Notable Materials

Ballistic Nylon, Thermoplastic Elastomer (TPE)

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Full Review

If you’re planning to travel the world while living out of a single backpack then The North Face Base Camp Duffel—a backpack/duffle hybrid—is not the bag for you. But if you’re looking for a solid duffle to haul your stuff while traveling, then the North Face Camp Duffel may be your perfect bag.

That’s because this duffle is a gear-hauler. It doesn’t feature anything fancy—you won’t find a robust harness system or smart internal organization here. And, while you may be able to get away with using it as a carry-on bag—particularly if you’re charming or sneaky—you’re probably better off checking it. Especially if you opt for one of the larger sizes.

We’ve been testing the small, though with an internal capacity of 50L “small” is kind of a misnomer. It’s also available in sizes XS to XXL. We’ve taken it with us on trips to the U.K. and Miami (hence the retro art nouveau colorway we’ve been rocking) and have used it as checked luggage on a transatlantic flight.

Before we jump into the review, we want to reiterate that this duffle isn’t trying to be the perfect one-bag backpack, and we’re not going to judge it by those standards. So, how has it held up as a gear hauler? Read on to find out.

Materials & Aesthetic

We’ve already mentioned that the North Face Base Camp Duffel is available in a ton of different sizes, but it’s also available in a wide range of colorways. The colorways are updated regularly, so the groovy blue/purple colorway we’ve been testing is no longer available in the small size. But, no fear, you’ll likely be able to find a colorway that speaks to your soul. They even have a black-on-black colorway that’s more typical Pack Hacker (*collective sigh of relief*).

Beyond color, we’re pretty big fans of how the North Face Base Camp Duffel looks. It’s not our usual style but we’ve been digging it, especially when it’s fully packed. With this thing strapped to your back, or dangling from your hands, you look (and feel) like you’re about to embark on an adventure.

There’s no hiding that this duffle is from the world-renowned brand, The North Face. You’ll find their logo on the top and bottom of the bag, as well as on the backpack straps. We’re usually fans of minimal branding, but the team is split here at Pack Hack HQ—some of us are digging the massive logos, especially in this yellow color that pops against the electric blue exterior.

Looks aside, let’s check out the materials. The main material is a 1000D Phthalate-Free TPE Fabric Laminate (in human-speak: a blend of synthetic materials that combine to make one tough fabric). We’re not huge fans of how it feels—think crinkly plastic—but it’s both weather-resistant and durable to date, which are fair trade-offs.

The bottom is made of an 840D Jr. Ballistic Nylon. Ballistic Nylon is renowned for its strength—it was originally created for military body armor after all—but we’ve found a nick on the bottom that looks worrisome. It doesn’t bode well for the future, especially since the bottom gets roughed up the most.

Chunky YKK zippers are used throughout this bag. They’re durable and smooth to work with sleek pull cords. The buckles and attachment points all seem durable and solid too.

External Components

While The North Face Base Camp Duffel looks more duffle than backpack, it’s technically a hybrid of the two. Meaning you can carry it in multiple ways.

Let’s start with the backpack straps. As far as first impressions go, this one was an epic fail. At first glance, the straps looked too simple to be comfortable. Turns out, we were wrong (a first, right?) and this pack delivers a fairly comfortable carry. The straps are a thin, dense mesh and contour to the body.

Now, when we say comfortable we mean comfortable for what this bag is—essentially a 50L barrel hanging off of your back. It’s not going to compete with any proper harness system. There’s no hip belt or sternum strap. Because of this, and its overall size, backpack mode will jibe better with bigger frames.

Of course, you can also carry this thing as a duffle. Although, we should note there is no “messenger bag” or one shoulder style of carry on this bag. The backpack straps double as duffle-style handles, which work decently enough. At capacity this thing is heavy—trekking it around while holding these handles will only be so comfortable. (On the larger sizes, there are additional duffle-style carrying handles to help you manage the weight.)

If you want to go full-duffle-mode, you can remove the backpack straps and use one of the four quick-grab side handles to carry the bag. A word of warning: it’s time-consuming to take the straps off and put them back on. So don’t go trying to take them off while at the check-in counter…unless you want to hear increasingly aggressive sighs from those in line behind you.

The side handles are nothing special, but they’re great for lifting the bag, hauling it, tossing it into the trunk of your car, or into the overhead bin if you’re charismatic enough to convince airline staff to let you bring it aboard.

You’ll also find four compression straps around the sides to (you guessed it) compress this bag when you’re not carrying a lot of stuff. As there are no strap keepers, we’ve found the straps can dangle, looking too messy for our tastes. Strap keepers on the compression straps here would be a nice touch.

Lastly, there’s a water-resistant ID pocket on top. It’s a great spot to tuck a card with your phone number scrawled on it just in case your bag goes missing in transit.

Inside The Pack

As we mentioned at the beginning of this review, this duffle isn’t designed for one-bag travel . So it doesn’t have much organization—you won’t find a laptop compartment or any water bottle pockets.

When you unzip the large D-shape opening, you’ll be greeted with a cavernous bucket. Well, you’ll also find a mesh pocket on the lid, but that’s it as far as the organization goes. The mesh pocket contains a key clip, though we’re not exactly sure why it’s there. It’s definitely not a good spot for your keys unless you won’t need to access them frequently.

Anyway, the main space is quite versatile because it’s large. You can cram a good amount of gear inside. The North Face says this bag is ideal for weekend excursions, but we’ve found it has enough room to hold all the stuff you’ll need for a much longer trip.

The lack of internal organization works for us but could be annoying for some. If you like having a place for everything, this is not the bag for you. That said, you can create your own organizational system with packing cubes and accessory pouches, which works well for us.

There’s one external pocket that comes in handy for quick-grab items like phones, wallets, snacks, etc. And when you wear this duffle as a backpack, this pocket sits on top so it’s easy to access.

Durability & Testing

We’ve been testing The North Face Base Camp Duffel in the small size for two weeks in Detroit, Miami, the U.K., and on a transatlantic flight as checked luggage.

From a durability perspective, it’s holding up okay, but we’re not fans of the creases in the laminate or the nick in the ballistic nylon. That said, the Base Camp Duffel has a solid name and reputation so we’re hoping these small issues aren’t indicative for what’s to come. And, luckily, we don’t have any major issues to report at this point.

This duffle also comes with a stuff sack. We haven’t used it much, but it’s there if you want to pack the duffle inside an even larger bag or for storing it during long stints at Airbnbs or home.

As we mentioned earlier, this duffle excels at being a gear hauler or checked luggage. It’s not great for one-bag travel—which is fine since it’s not supposed to be—but we’ve found it works really well in conjunction with a packable daypack .

So, even though it’s not the type of bag we usually test—in style, use-case, or colorway—we’ve been enjoying our time with it.

Usage Timeline

Condition: Excellent

• This pack comes in some very snazzy color combinations
• Interested to see how comfortable this pack is to carry as a duffle (and as a backpack)
• There isn’t much internal organization or a laptop sleeve, so we are curious to find the right use case for this pack

Condition: Good

We’ve spotted a small nick in the ballistic nylon after a transatlantic flight.

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Mt. Elbrus North Side

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Price / Deposit

$5,600 / $ 1,500

Mountaineering

The north side of Mt. Elbrus is the wild and forgotten face of Europe's highest point. This is the ideal expedition for climbers interested in building their climbing skills while getting off the beaten track on one of the Seven Summits.

Qualifications

Standing 18,510’ above the nearby Black and Caspian Seas, Russia’s Mt. Elbrus is Europe’s tallest mountain. Our Elbrus North Side Expedition ascends a less traveled route on this popular mountain.

MT. ELBRUS CLIMB HIGHLIGHTS

• Visit Moscow and stroll across Red Square to explore the courtyards and cathedrals of the Kremlin, after the climb wander through St. Petersburg’s Hermitage and many canals.
• Travel through the remote countryside of Russia's Caucasus Mountains to reach the foot of Europe's highest peak.
• Climb a less traveled route on Elbrus as we ascend one of the world's Seven Summits as part of a small, independent expedition.
• Learn the subtleties and tricks of expedition style climbing as we move our camps higher up the mountain in preparation for a summit bid.
• Take part in an RMI adventure and see why we continue to set the standard in guiding excellence.

Standing in the heart of the rugged Caucasus Mountains, Mt. Elbrus rises impressively from the green plains that stretch northward into the heartland of Russia. RMI guides have been climbing Mt. Elbrus since the early 1990s and we have seen the mountain grow in popularity over the years. In our commitment to continually set the standard in mountain guiding excellence we are pleased to offer a climb of Mt. Elbrus' seldom visited North Side for a new, unique, and unmatched expedition to Europe’s highest point.

Our adventures begin a thousand miles to the North of Mt. Elbrus in Moscow - the political, economic, and cultural heart of Russia - before we fly south to the town of Mineralnye Vody, the gateway of the Caucasus. The rising green foothills dotted with shepherds mounted on horseback give way to Mt. Elbrus, framed by the jagged peaks of the Caucasus. The route takes us from the mountain's base, sitting between ancient lava flows, up the rolling and rarely traveled glaciers of Mt. Elbrus' north side to the West Summit, the mountain's highest point.

Simply reaching Base Camp gives climbers a rare glimpse of a part of Russia's countryside that has eluded the passage of time.

The climb is a moderate snow climb, comparable in difficulty to the standard route. However, there are far fewer climbers on this route and it has a reputation of being a bit more adventurous. Due to the mountain's size and seclusion we climb "expedition style", acclimatizing as we move camps higher in preparation for the summit bid.

Upon returning from our climb we fly to St. Petersburg. On the shores of the Gulf of Finland, St. Petersburg is often described as the "Venice of the North" with canals that weave between the city’s stunning architecture and famous museums that amazing works of art. Our time in St. Petersburg is the ideal way to end our Russian adventures.

THE RMI DIFFERENCE

Rainier Mountaineering, Inc . was established in 1969 and is one of America's oldest and most-trusted guide services. We are the largest guide service on Mt. Rainier and Denali and leaders in guiding climbs and treks around the globe. Our years of leading mountain adventures give us the experience and knowledge to create the best possible trips. We work hard to live up to our reputation as an industry leader.

As the only American guide service to regularly lead climbs of Mt. Elbrus' North Side, we are also one of very few expeditions to guide to Elbrus' West Summit from the North Side instead of the slightly lower East Summit.

Our climb is led by our some of our top U.S. guides who bring years of international climbing experience to the expedition. We work closely with our Russian partner, a famous Soviet-era climber, to organize and coordinate the trip. Our relationships there are the key to our trip's success and scaling Mt. Elbrus' overlooked North Side with these climbing veterans' leadership and support is an unforgettable experience. RMI’s trip preparation before departure takes care of the details for you, from hotels and airport transfers to arranging in country flights, so that you can focus on preparing for the climb instead of the distractions that come with coordinating logistics.

In Moscow and St. Petersburg we stay right in the center of the cities within a few minutes walking distance of the famous sites. While on the mountain we use RMI's own equipment brought from the U.S., ensuring that our expedition standards of quality, reliability, and comfort are met. The meals on the mountain are organized by our guides and cooked by them, keeping the team content, healthy, and strong throughout the climb. Our exceptional focus on detail, our unparalleled level of climber attention, and our genuine love of these adventures are what make our programs truly memorable.

ELBRUS SOUTHSIDE ALTERNATIVE

We also lead climbs of Mt. Elbrus' traditional route on the South Side of the mountain. This program is four days shorter and less technically and physically demanding than a North Side expedition as we use established huts on the mountain. Our Elbrus - South Side Climb is ideal for climbers looking for a slightly shorter climb or without expedition climbing experience.

Safety has always been RMI's top priority and we strive to create the safest mountain experience possible. RMI's experienced team of guides focus on leading a fun and successful climb without compromising safety. We apply the same standards of safety we bring to Alaska and the Himalayas to our climbs of Mt. Elbrus. Careful planning, precise ascent profiles, flexibility in our itinerary, daily weather forecasts via satellite, and diligent attention are taken as we venture to high altitudes. Comprehensive medical kits, rescue gear, and communications equipment are carried with the group throughout the expedition. Base Camp is also equipped with medical and rescue gear.

As you prepare for your upcoming adventure please feel free to contact our office and speak directly to one of our experienced guides regarding equipment, conditioning, the route, or any other questions you may have about our programs. We are available Monday thru Friday 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. at (888) 89-CLIMB or [email protected] .

Climber Reviews

Depart U.S.A. Depending on flight times and connections travel to Moscow, Russia typically takes almost 24 hours from the U.S.

MOSCOW • 512' | 156M

Arrive in Moscow (SVO). Hire a Yandex taxi to get to the hotel. Once we check-in to our hotel, the afternoon is free to rest and explore the city. A team orientation meeting is held at 7:00 p.m. We spend the night in Moscow at the Park Inn Sadu.

We take a walking tour to visit Lenin's Tomb, Red Square, the G.U.M., St. Basil's Cathedral, and the Kremlin. The afternoon is free to explore the city. We spend the night at the Park Inn Sadu. (B)

KISLOVODSK • 2,861' | 872M

We have an early morning flight from Moscow to Mineralnye Vody. From the airport we drive to the town of Kislovodsk, the last town before entering the lower steppes of the Caucasus. We spend the rest of the day sorting our gear and preparing for the climb. Overnight in Kislovodsk. (B)

BASE CAMP • 8,300’ | 2,530M

A four-hour drive takes us into the heart of the lush foothills of the lower Caucasus to Mt. Elbrus Base Camp (8,300'). Once we establish our Base Camp, we take a short acclimatization hike to explore the remote valley and stretch our legs after the many long days of travel. (B, D)

Carry to 11,200’ • 8,300’ | 2,530M

We pack up a portion of our supplies and make a carry to our cache site below Camp 1. After depositing our cache and enjoying the views, we descend back to Base Camp for the night. (B, D)

Move to Camp 1 • 12,300’ | 3,749M

The route from Base Camp takes us above a narrow gorge and out of the high grasslands into the alpine zone, affording stunning views of the glaciers of Mt. Elbrus and the lower steppes of the Caucasus. The last stretch of the climb leads through the jumbled rock moraine along the Mikelchiran Glacier before cresting a final steep pitch into camp. (B, D)

BACK CARRY AND ACCLIMATIZATION (11,200') • 12,300’ | 3,749M

Back Carry and Acclimatization Day at Camp 1. After a leisurely breakfast we descend to our cache site at 11,200’ below Camp 1 to retrieve our cached gear. The afternoon is spent in camp resting and preparing for higher altitudes. (B, D)

TRAINING AND ACCLIMATION CLIMB (15,200') • 12,300’ | 3,749M

We review basic mountaineering techniques such as ice axe arrest, crampon methods, and roped travel. Climbing the Mikelchiran Glacier, we ascend towards Camp 2 at Lenz Rocks at 15,200’, gaining familiarity with the route and exposure to new altitudes. We have the possibility to carry a small portion of our supplies to cache at Camp 2 in anticipation of our summit attempt. We return to our tents at Camp 1 for the night. (B, D)

MOVE TO HIGH CAMP • 15,200' | 4,633M

After establishing our camp, final preparations are made for Summit Day and we settle in early in anticipation of tomorrow's summit attempt. (B, D)

SUMMIT DAY (18,510') • 12,300’ | 3,749M

After an alpine start we climb from Lenz Rocks across the upper portion of the Mikelchiran Glacier until we reach the Saddle at 17,700'. Mt. Elbrus has two large summit domes and the Saddle separates the East Summit from the West Summit. Both are comparable in size, but the West Summit is slightly higher, and our objective. Our route gets steeper as we gain the upper summit plateau where we follow a broad ridge to the Summit. After enjoying the summit and its impressive views of the Caucasus mountain range, we descend down the route. Once we are back at High Camp, we pack up all of our gear up and continue our descent to Camp 1. (B, D)

WEATHER DAY

Weather Day. This extra day is scheduled into the itinerary in case we encounter bad weather or need additional time for acclimatization. Having this extra day has proven to dramatically improve the team's success. (B, D)

We depart Camp 1 and start the descent, retracing our steps to Base Camp. An afternoon shuttle takes us back to Kislovodsk where we enjoy a delicious celebration dinner, hot showers, and a good night's sleep. (B)

ST. PETERSBURG • 44' | 14M

We have a transfer from our hotel to Mineralnye Vody for our flight to St. Petersburg. We spend the night at the Hotel Arcadia in St. Petersburg. (B)

We take a tour of the stunning city of St. Petersburg. Must see attractions include a visit to St. Isaac's Cathedral, the Church of the Savior on Spilled Blood, the Hermitage, and walking along the banks of the city's many canals. In the evening we take a private boat cruise on the city's canals. We spend our final night in Russia at the Hotel Arcadia. (B)

Return flights from St. Petersburg (LED) to the U.S. (B)

Key: B, L, D = Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner included.

Travel Consultant

RMI has partnered with Erin Rountree to provide comprehensive travel support. We have been working with Erin for many years. As an independent agent of the Travel Society, she has booked countless miles for adventure travelers across the globe and is extremely knowledgeable about the travel needs of our programs. Please call (208) 788-2870 or send email to  [email protected] .

Travel Insurance

Travel insurance is required for this trip. Your travel insurance policy should include trip cancellation, trip interruption, trip delay, baggage loss or delay, medical expenses, and evacuation.

Navigating through the different options for travel insurance can be challenging. When purchasing Travel Insurance, here are a few items to consider:

• Read the fine print. Travel Insurance will reimburse you when canceling for a covered reason for prepaid, non-refundable trip costs that you insure. However, there are exclusions, so make sure you understand the "covered reasons."
• Confirm that your activity is a covered “activity.” Not all travel insurance policies will offer coverage for activities such as mountaineering, climbing, skiing, or trekking adventures. Policies can also exclude coverage for activities due to the gear used (crampons, ice axe), activities that go above specific elevations or activities in a particular region of the world. If there are exclusions, you may need to add an "Adventure" or "Sports" package to cover your activity.
• Verify that your state of residence is allowed with the policy that you are purchasing. Not all insurance companies offer policies in all 50 states.
• Contact your travel protection company directly for any questions you have regarding benefits or coverage.

We have partnered with  Travelex Insurance  and  Ripcord Insurance  because they offer certain policies specifically designed for adventure travel with coverages for remote areas and activities like mountaineering, climbing, skiing, and trekking, without any altitude restrictions. 

For your convenience, we offer Travelex Insurance Services, Inc.(CA Agency License #0D10209) travel protection plans to help protect you and your travel investment against the unexpected. 

For more information on the available plans visit  Travelex Insurance Services  or contact Travelex Insurance (800) 228-9792 and reference location number 47-0370. 

The product descriptions provided here are only brief summaries. The full coverage terms and details, including limitations and exclusions, are contained in the insurance policy. Travel Insurance is underwritten by Berkshire Hathaway Specialty Insurance Company; NAIC #22276.

Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance is travel insurance designed for adventurers, including the best evacuation and rescue services available.

Benefits are tailored for adventurers and include:

• Rescue and evacuation from the point of illness or emergency to your home hospital of choice.
• Trip cancellation/interruption, primary medical expense coverage, sporting goods, baggage loss, emergency dental, Accidental Death & Dismemberment (AD&D) and more.
• Completely integrated one-stop program with a single contact for emergency services to travel assistance and insurance claims.
• 24/7 access to paramedics, nurses and military veterans.
• Security extraction in case of unexpected dangerous and chaotic events.

Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance is powered by Redpoint Resolutions, a medical and travel security risk company. Their team is comprised of special operations veterans, paramedics, Stanford Medicine affiliated physicians, former intelligence officers, insurance actuaries and global security experts with dozens of years of experience in theaters around the world. The Redpoint network covers the globe, making them uniquely equipped to provide elite rescue travel insurance – in every sense of the word. Whether it’s reimbursing you for a cancelled trip, paying your travel medical bills or evacuating you home in an emergency, Ripcord takes the worry out of your travel.

Security & Medical Evacuation

Travel Advisories / Warnings

Please confirm any current travel advisories/warnings as well as passport and visa requirements with the US Department of State .

Currently the US Department of State has a Travel Advisory pertaining the the north Caucasus, including the Mount Elbrus area. Please review the Travel Advisory before registering for this program to ensure that you are aware of the non-climbing risks associated with this program.

Getting There

Travel to Moscow’s Sheremetyevo Airport (SVO) typically takes about 24 hours from the U.S. depending on your departure city, available connections, and flight times. Flights generally arrive in the afternoon on Day 2 of the itinerary. 

Departing flights from St. Petersburg (LED) may be booked for any time on Day 17, the final day of the program.

Entry Requirements

A valid passport is required when traveling to Russia. Your passport must be valid for 6 months beyond the expected return date.

We suggest making a copy of the first two pages of your passport and keeping them in a separate bag as a backup. A copy should also be left with your emergency contact.

A Visa is also required for entry to Russia. This must be done prior to your arrival or you will not be permitted to enter the country.

Russian Visa

Our office will provide you with the current application form, a written itinerary and a letter of invitation from our hosting organization in Russia. You will need to submit these forms along with a valid passport, an additional passport photo and payment to your local Russian Consulate or a travel document company that can assist you in processing the Russian Visa. This generally takes place 2 - 3 months before the trip departure and will take 4 - 20 business days to process. Once your visa arrives, please check the date to ensure it covers your complete stay.

Airport Arrival

Upon arrival proceed to the Immigrations desk for foreign travelers. Proceed to Baggage Claim and then to Customs. There will be a random selection of bags for inspection. Be sure to keep all your bags together. You may then hire a Yandex taxi to transfer to the hotel. 

In-Country Transportation

The provided transportation in Russia as stated in the itinerary is via private vehicle.

Immunizations & Travel Medicine

For the most current information on inoculation requirements and recommendations, please refer to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention .

Traveler's Health

Travelers often suffer from upset stomachs when in foreign countries. There are some basic rules, however, that can help keep you healthy.

• Hygiene - It is important that you wash your hands thoroughly before meals and after using any bathroom. If water is not available for washing, we recommend using a hand sanitizer.
• Water - The number one rule is: don't drink the water, and that includes shower water and ice! Brush your teeth with purified water rather than tap water. You should check bottled water for a good seal and use a napkin to wipe dry excess moisture in drinking glasses. Take care with fruit juice, particularly if it has been diluted with water. Carefully clean the tops of bottled beverages before opening.
• Food - If you can cook it, boil it, or peel it; you can usually eat it. Salads and fruits should be washed with purified water or peeled where possible. Be wary of ice cream and shellfish. Always avoid any undercooked meat.

Medical Emergencies

Elbrus is a remote mountain without easy access to definitive medical care. We are our own rescue team.

The medical facilities in Moscow, St. Petersburg and other urban areas in Russia are limited except for routine, non-emergency needs. We will work with our tour operator to access an appropriate level of care should the need arise.

Russia Country Facts

Russia is the largest country in the world at almost twice the size of the United States. Officially known as the Russian Federation, its main attractions include art, magnificent (and newly restored) cathedrals and monasteries, treasures and palaces of the czars, the performing arts, health spas, river cruises, historic sites, spectacular scenery, Siberia, and Moscow's Kremlin.

Russia has a captivating history. Tradition says the Viking Rurik came to Russia in 862 and founded the first Russian dynasty in Novgorod. Through the 10th and 11th centuries, Christianity united the various tribes, but Mongol raids broke the Russian territories into smaller dukedoms. It was Ivan the Terrible (1533-1584) who is credited with founding the Russian state. The succeeding period saw power wrested into the hands of the czars and expanded Russian territory. These actions ultimately led to revolution and the creation of the Soviet Union (U.S.S.R.) in 1922. The Union dissolved in 1991 and Russia became the federal presidential republic that it is today.

Russia will appeal to travelers who have a sense of adventure and an open mind. Don't expect a relaxing vacation and, unless you're in Moscow or St. Petersburg, don't expect deluxe accommodations - a trip through Russia requires determination, flexibility and plenty of patience.

The climbing season extends from May to September, with the highest summit success rate from mid-July through mid-August. September through April comprises the rainy and winter seasons.

The weather in Moscow and while traveling to and from the mountains can be very warm.

While there can be no guarantees of perfect weather in the mountains, our expeditions take full advantage of both the weather and route conditions for this expedition, and utilize prime months for optimal climbing experiences.

Cultural Etiquette

Although it is not expected that we dress formally, we should dress modestly. Casual and comfortable clothing and shoes are suggested. Showing expensive cameras, watches, jewelry, etc. is considered unseemly and may attract unwanted attention.

Men shake hands when greeting one another and maintain direct eye contact. Women generally shake hands when meeting one another for the first time. In greetings between men and women, a light handshake is common. It is expected that you remove your gloves to shake hands, regardless of how cold it may be. The three alternating kisses used in greetings are common only between friends and family.

Chivalry, for the most part, is still valued in Russia. Men are expected to hold the door, offer their seat, or offer their coat.

Electricity

Electricity in Russia is different than in the United States. Russia has standardized on type F (Gost) sockets and plugs. Type C plugs and power points are still commonly found in older buildings. Both are used for 230 volt, 50 hertz appliances. U.S. appliances will require plug adaptors, convertors or transformers. Remember to bring any necessary adaptors if you plan to recharge electronics.

The current currency of Russia is the Ruble. Currency can be easily converted at banks, hotels and kiosks. Check a financial newspaper or www.xe.com for the current exchange rate prior to departure.

We suggest bringing $600-$900 total for personal spending money including restaurant meals, drinks, pocket money, and the Support Staff Tip Pool.

Cash machines are still the best way to get money in country, so if you are in doubt, be sure to bring your cash card. Cash machines are readily available in Moscow and St. Petersburg, but become increasingly difficult to find outside of the main urban areas.

Credit cards are accepted in most, but not all, areas.

Everyone has a preferred way to carry money. Some use money belts, others have hidden pockets. Whatever you do, be aware of pickpockets in any area which caters to tourists.

Everyone approaches tipping a little differently. Whether or not a person tips, and how much, is completely dependent upon the individual; here are some suggested tipping guidelines for your trip.

Local waiters, drivers, and other service personnel expect to be tipped. Ten to fifteen percent is standard. Some restaurants and hotels add a 10% service fee to bills in which case, no further tip is required.

Support Staff Tip Pool: We recommend that each climber contribute $75 to the Tip Pool. This is collected at the beginning of the trip and will cover group tips for all our support and mountain staff throughout the program.

Our guides work hard to ensure your well-being and success on the mountain. If you have a positive experience, gratuities are an excellent way to show your appreciation. Amounts are at your discretion and should be based on your level of enjoyment. Tips for excellent service normally average 10 – 15% of the cost of the program. If you would rather not bring the guide gratuity with you on the trip, you can send a check or call the RMI office to pay with a credit card upon your return.

http://wikitravel.org/en/Russia and https://www.lonelyplanet.com/russia offer a wealth of information.

This trip is open to all individuals in excellent physical condition and is a great first trip to altitudes above 15,000'. Prior knowledge of, and comfort with, rope travel, the use of crampons, and ice axe arrest are required.

Our experience shows that individuals perform better and enjoy the adventure more if they have a high degree of fitness and comfort with basic mountaineering skills. This program’s high altitude and snowy terrain contribute to make this a very worthwhile challenge.

Qualifying Programs

Recommended climbing experiences prior to the Mt. Elbrus North Side climb include:

Mt. Rainier Expedition Skills Seminar - Emmons

Mt. Rainier Expedition Skills Seminar - Kautz

Mt. Rainier Expedition Skills Seminar - Paradise

Mt. Rainier Mt. Rainier - Five Day Climb

Mt. Rainier Mt. Rainier - Four Day Climb

Expedition Skills Seminar - Kahiltna Glacier

Expedition Skills Seminar - Shuksan

Expedition Skills Seminar - Peru

Get In The Best Shape Of Your Life And Then Go Climb A Mountain

Create a fitness and training program, physical fitness training.

Mountaineering requires a high degree of physical stamina and mental toughness. Even for the healthiest and fittest individuals, climbing mountains qualifies as an extremely challenging endeavor.

• Start immediately. Start a rigorous fitness and training program now with the goal of arriving in top physical condition and confident in your skills.
• Be intentional. Focus on gaining the necessary strength, stamina and skills to meet the physical and technical demands of the climb.
• Be sport-specific. The best fitness and training program mimics the physical and technical demands of your climbing objective. The closer you get to your program date, the more your training should resemble the climbing.

For the Elbrus North Side climb, you are preparing for:

• Trekking and glacier climbing with a 50-60 lb load
• A 12+ hour summit day
• Mountaineering techniques requiring core strength and flexibility

Nothing ensures a personally successful adventure like your level of fitness and training. Bottom line: Plan on being in the best shape of your life and ready for a very challenging adventure!

Please refer to our Resources for Mountaineering Fitness and Training for detailed fitness and training information.

Acclimatization

The key to climbing high is proper acclimatization. Our program follows a calculated ascent profile which allows time for your body to adjust to the altitude.

Excellent physical conditioning significantly increases your ability to acclimatize as you ascend. Climbers in excellent physical condition simply have more energy to commit to the acclimatization process throughout the days and nights of the ascent, allowing their bodies to adjust to the altitude more easily.

Finally, physical performance and acclimatization are also related to how well you have taken care of yourself throughout the hours, days and weeks prior to summit day. Arriving healthy and well-rested, maintaining proper hydration and caloric intake, and protecting against unnecessary heat loss (staying warm) are all key factors in an individual’s success on an expedition such as this.

What You’ll Need

A list of required personal equipment accompanies every RMI program, and the thought process behind each item is much greater than simply “preparing for the worst and hoping for the best.” The list for your program takes into account factors such as: seasonality, route conditions, weather, elevation and more. As such, this list is framed within the broadest of contexts and is dynamic by its very nature. Therefore, certain variables (additions and/or subtractions) are inherent within such an all-encompassing list. We make every effort to recommend only top of the line clothing and technical gear and it is never our intention for you to buy or rent unnecessary gear.

The Guide Pick is an example of the listed item, giving you an idea of the material and specifications of the item. This exact item does not need to be purchased or used; however, any item you choose must have similar characteristics and performance abilities to the Guide Pick.

RMI Guides concur on the  potential   necessity  of every item, thus every item on the list is required at gear check. However, guides may also have suggestions derived from their experience, some of which will vary from a given list. The guides’ recommendation whether to bring along or leave behind certain item(s) comes during the gear check, when the team first meets. Occasionally this recommendation comes at the expense of having previously purchased an item. If a guide presents the option of leaving behind certain item(s) on the list of required equipment, it is for a reason. Their recommendation may be related to the weather, route conditions, freezing level, perceived strength of the party, or desired pack weight.

Ultimately, there will never be a consensus for a “perfect” equipment list for an ascent. It does not exist because of the multitude of variables faced by climbers throughout the climb. Please follow this equipment list closely so that you will arrive for the gear check with all the required items. Keep in mind the list is not black and white, fine tuning will occur once you meet with your guide. Have a great climb!

Shop Your Equipment List // Rent new equipment for your climb

Equipment list, pack & travel.

120+ liter bag(s) made of tough material with rugged zippers.

Bring as needed. Make sure these are TSA-compliant.

Your pack must be large enough for your layers, climbing gear, and food, as well as a portion of your tent and your share of group equipment. The pack volume you choose depends on your experience and the quality of your gear; if you opt for a smaller pack, practice packing and make sure you can fit all of your gear with room to spare. You will not need a separate summit pack.

A 25+ liter day pack to use as carry-on or while sightseeing.

Sleeping Bag & Pad

We recommend a bag rated between 20° and 0° F. Allow ample room for movement. We recommend down over synthetic for its light weight, warmth, and packability. If you know you sleep cold, consider a 0° F bag.

Full-length inflatable or closed cell pad.

Technical Gear

The length of your axe depends on your height. Use the following general mountaineering formula: up to 5'8", use a 65 cm axe; 5'8" to 6'2", use a 70 cm axe; and taller, use a 75 cm axe. If you hold the axe so that it hangs comfortably at your side, the spike of the axe should still be a few inches above the ground.

We recommend a comfortable, adjustable alpine climbing harness. Removable, drop seat, or adjustable leg loops are convenient for managing your clothing layers over the course of the climb and facilitate going to the bathroom.

Used for clipping into the climbing rope.

Used for pack ditch loop, etc.

12-point adjustable steel crampons with anti-balling plates designed for general mountaineering use.

Bring extra batteries appropriate to the duration of the climb.

We recommend lightweight and collapsible poles with snow baskets.

A UIAA (Union Internationale des Associations d’Alpinisme) or CE (European Committee for Standardization) certified climbing helmet.

Wool or synthetic. It should provide warmth but also be thin enough to fit underneath a climbing helmet.

A Buff provides versitile head and neck protection. A neck gaiter is also acceptable.

Start with fresh batteries and bring extra set(s) of batteries appropriate to the duration of the trip.

Glacier glasses are protective sunglasses that provide close to 100% frame coverage (wrap-around frames and side shields ensure no light can enter from the top, bottom, and sides of the glasses) and transmit less than 10% of visual light.

Amber or rose-tinted goggles for adverse weather. On windy days, climbers, especially contact lens wearers, may find photochromatic lenses the most versatile in a variety of light conditions.

Each glove layer is worn separately as conditions change during the climb.

Light weight liner or softshell gloves. Lighter colors absorb less sunlight while still offering UV protection.

Wind- and water-resistant, insulated mountain gloves.

Wind- and water-resistant, insulated gloves or mittens. These also serve as emergency backups if you drop or lose a lighter-weight glove.

We recommend a minimum of five upper body layers, all of which can be used in conjunction with each other. Two of these should be insulating layers, one light, and one medium, that fit well together. Today there are many different layering systems to choose from, including fleece, softshell, down, and synthetic options.

Long-sleeve wool or synthetic top. Light weight, light-colored, hooded baselayers (sun hoodys) are highly recommended for sun protection.

One step up in warmth and bulk from a baselayer. A technical fleece makes an ideal light weight insulating layer.

A down, synthetic, or softshell hoody makes a great midlayer.

An uninsulated, waterproof shell jacket with hood.

Your expedition-style heavy parka must extend below the waist, have an insulated hood, and be able to fit over the rest of your upper body layers. While the parka is worn primarily at rest breaks on summit day, it also serves as an emergency garment if needed. We recommend down rather than synthetic fill.

We recommend a moisture-wicking, active-wear bra.

We recommend a system of four layers, all of which can be used in conjunction with each other. Products which combine several layers into one garment, such as traditional ski pants, don’t work well as they don’t offer the versatility of a layering system.

Non-cotton briefs or boxers.

Synthetic or wool.

Softshell climbing pants can be worn in combination with a base layer on colder days, or alone on warmer days.

Non-insulated, waterproof shell pants must be able to fit comfortable over your baselayer bottoms and softshell climbing pants. Full side zippers or 7/8 side zippers are required so that shell pants can be put on while wearing boots and crampons.

A light weight, synthetic pair of pants is a good option for the approach trek when hiking at lower altitudes and in warm conditions. These pants have no insulation, are typically made of thin nylon, and commonly feature zippers to convert between pants and shorts.

We recommend modern hybrid double boots for this climb because they provide the best balance of weight, comfort, and insulation. Insulated single mountaineering boots are also adequate but might result in cold feet. Bring one pair of chemical foot warmers per summit day if you are using single mountaineering boots.

SINGLE BOOTS: Insulated, full-shank, and crampon-compatible leather or synthetic boots designed for mountaineering. Single boots tend to be lighter and more comfortable than double boots at the expense of warmth.

DOUBLE BOOTS:  Insulated double boots designed for mountaineering. Plastic-shelled models are acceptable, though modern synthetic models are lighter and more comfortable.

A pair of lightweight boots for approaches and hiking on rugged terrain. We recommend a waterproof, mid-top boot for better stability and ankle support.

Great for traveling and wearing around town or camp. A pair of tennis shoes or light hikers works well.

A knee-length pair of gaiters, large enough to fit over your mountaineering boots. This will protect you from catching your crampon spikes on loose clothing. Not needed if using a boot with an integrated gaiter.

Either wool or synthetic. Whatever sock combination you are accustomed to wearing during your training or previous adventures (whether single medium weight socks, a medium weight with a liner sock, two medium weight socks together, etc.), should work just fine for this climb.

First Aid & Medications

We recommend you speak with your physician about which medications you should have for high-altitude climbing. These medications are only used in emergency situations, and if someone is showing symptoms of HAPE or HACE, our standard protocol is for immediate descent. We do not take any of these medications prophylactically, and please talk with your guide before taking medications.

We require each climber to have the following medications:

Broad spectrum antibiotics for respiratory and gastrointestinal problems like Azithromycin (250mg tablets).

125mg tablets for the prevention or treatment of Acute Mountain Sickness. A normal prescription is 125mg tablets, twice a day. Recommend 15 - 20 tablets.

4mg tablets for the treatment of altitude illness. Recommend 12 tablets.

30mg slow-release tablets for the prevention or treatment of high-altitude pulmonary edema (HAPE). Recommend 8 - 10 tablets.

Our guides carry comprehensive medical kits, so keep yours small and light. We recommend a selection of adhesive bandages, antibiotic ointment, Moleskin and blister care, medical tape and/or duct tape, cough drops, basic painkillers, an antacid, an anti-diarrheal, and personal medications.

Personal Items

See the Food tab for suggestions and quantities.

Packable plastic bowl. Collapsable models can work but must be handled carefully to avoid unintended collapsing. A lid is a great feature.

Insulated outdoor-style mug. We recommed a model with a removable lid, which helps retain heat and prevent spills. You may also choose to use 0.5L insulated bottle or a 0.5L nalgene.

A spoon or spork made of durable plastic or anodized metal. A long-handled spoon can be nice, especially if eating from a freeze-dried meal pouch.

One-liter water bottles with wide mouths made of co-polyester (BPA-free plastic).

Chlorine Dioxide water purification drops. Make sure to select the 30-minute version.

Bring as needed.

Heavy-duty trash compacter bags for use as waterproof pack/stuff sack liners. You can also use a a waterproof pack liner.

Include toilet paper, hand sanitizer, toothbrush and toothpaste, and wet wipes. Bring a quantity appropriate to the duration of your trip.

We recommend small tubes of SPF 30 or higher, which can be carried in pockets for easy access and to prevent freezing.

We recommend SPF 15 or higher.

Spare prescription glasses if you wear contact lenses/eyeglasses.

Practice using this before coming on the climb!

Many smartphones have excellent cameras. Action cameras, small point-and-shoots, and compact dSLRs are lightweight and work well at altitude.

A small power bank, enough to charge a phone or e-reader several times.

For charging personal electronics while traveling internationally.

Travel Clothes

We recommend bringing a selection of clothing to wear while traveling, site seeing and dining.  

Travel Documents

Valid for six months beyond your return date.

The first two pages of your passport.

Pre-Trip Checklist

Purchase travel insurance.

Purchase airplane tickets.

Reserve rental equipment.

Be in the best shape of your life!

Provided Equipment

RMI provides the following equipment for your program: tents, group cooking equipment, climbing ropes, avalanche probes and shovels.

Every guide on your climb will carry rescue equipment and a first aid kit. Each climb has two-way radios and a satellite phone for emergency contact.

On Mt. Elbrus North Side you will need 10 mountain lunches. All of your mountain lunch items should weigh 6 - 7 lb.

Breakfast and dinner meals on the mountain are included as indicated in our Trip Itinerary . With the exception of hotel breakfasts, most restaurant meals are on your own. You are responsible for your own bottled water and drinks.

Mountain Lunches

Mountain lunches are eaten during short breaks throughout the day. We continually snack to keep our energy levels up while we climb - lunch begins just after breakfast and ends just before dinner! Avoid packing any items that require preparation or hot water.

The importance of having foods that are genuinely enjoyed cannot be overstated. Eating properly is the key to maintaining strength while in the mountains. In order to combat the loss of appetite at altitude we aim to have a variety of foods that stimulate the whole palate, from sweet to sour to salty.

Recommended mountain lunch items: dry salami, smoked salmon, jerky (turkey, beef, fish), small cans of tuna fish, individually wrapped cheeses such as Laughing Cow or Baby Bell, crackers, bagels, candy bars, hard candies (Jolly Ranchers, Toffees, Life Savers), Gummy Bears, sour candies (Sweet Tarts), cookies, dried fruit, nuts, energy bars, GORP mixes, and drink mixes (Gatorade/Kool-Aid).

We may have a chance to purchase additional food in Russia, but we recommend you take what you need and only supplement with local food if necessary.

The breakfast menu includes items such as instant oatmeal, cold cereals (granola), breakfast bars, hot drinks (coffee, tea, cocoa, cider) and local fresh fruit.

Dinner usually begins with soup and ends with dessert, followed by a round of hot drinks. Healthy one-pot meals, incorporating fresh local food whenever practical, are served as the main course. One typical main course dinner might be spaghetti with fresh vegetables. There are limitations, but the menu is planned to offer good variety and ample portions.

Deposit Payments: A non-refundable deposit payment of $1,500 per person secures your reservation.

• Deposit payments may be made via MasterCard, Visa, American Express*, e-check/ACH, or check from a U.S. bank.

Balance Payments: The balance payment is due 120 days before the start of your program.

• **Wire transfers must cover all fees charged by your bank. The amount of the incoming wire to our bank must equal the balance payment amount.
• A payment reminder is emailed approximately three weeks before your payment due date. If your balance payment is not received 120 days before the start of your program, your reservation will be canceled, and all program fees will be forfeited.
• Payment in full is required when registering for a program within 120 days of the departure date.

*There is a 3% surcharge on all credit/debit card transactions. Credit/debit cards are not accepted for payments of $10,000 or more.

Cancellation

The $1,500 per person deposit is non-refundable and non-transferable .

• If you cancel 120 or more days before the start of your program, the $1,500 per person deposit will not be refunded.
• If you cancel less than 120 days before the start of your program, no refunds will be issued .

Due to the time-sensitive nature of these programs, and the amount of preparation time required for this program, we strictly adhere to our policy and cannot make exceptions for any reason.

Cancellation Insurance

We require that everyone purchase travel insurance. Please see our Travel Tab for details.

• RMI Leadership
• Hotel accommodations as indicated in the itinerary, based on double occupancy*
• All park entrance fees
• Sight seeing arrangements as indicated in the itinerary
• Airfare from Moscow to Mineralnye Vody to St. Petersburg
• All group transportation in country as stated in the itinerary
• All breakfast and dinner meals on the mountain and other meals as stated in the itinerary
• All group cooking, climbing and camping equipment

NOT INCLUDED

• International airfare
• Travel insurance, medical evacuation insurance and security evacuation insurance
• Passport and visa fees
• Excess baggage fees from U.S. or flights within Russia
• Departure taxes
• Meals not included in the itinerary
• Bottled water and personal drinks
• Customary guide gratuities
• Support Staff Tip Pool (we suggest $75 per person)
• Additional room charges including laundry service and other personal expenses
• Hotel accommodations not indicated in the itinerary
• Transfer from Airport to Moscow Hotel on arrival
• Transfer from St. Petersburg Hotel to Airport for outbound flight
• Medical, hospitalization and evacuation costs (by any means)

* Single Travelers: Accommodations are based on double occupancy.  A Single Supplement Fee will be charged to those occupying single accommodations by choice or circumstance. The single supplement is not available in huts, tents, or in all hotels.

Risk Management

Please clearly understand that mountaineering is inherently hazardous. Managing risk is RMI’s number one priority. Our guides manage significant hazards inherent in mountaineering, but they cannot eliminate them.  Objective hazards include rockfall, icefall, avalanches, slides or falls by individuals and rope teams on steeper slopes, weather-related problems including cold, heat, high winds, and other unnamed dangers that can occur while climbing.

You are choosing to engage in an activity in which guided and non-guided climbers have been injured or killed. While those accidents are indeed infrequent, they may occur at any time and be out of our control. We ask that participants acknowledge the risks and hazards of mountaineering and make their own choices about whether or not to engage in this activity.

PARTICIPANT Responsibilities

Mountaineering is both an individual challenge and a team endeavor. Each Participant is required to share in the responsibility of the safety and success of the team. For this reason, we ask that each Participant:

• Possess the climbing prerequisites required for this program.
• Possess the necessary physical and mental fitness required for this program.
• Be responsible for knowing all pre-departure information.
• Provide a signed Physician’s Certificate stating that the Participant is medically qualified to join this program.
• Update the RMI Office if there are any changes to your health or medical information before departure.
• Be properly attired and equipped as outlined in the Equipment List.
• Act in a considerate manner toward all team members and show respect for local customs, values, and traditions in the areas we travel.
• Help minimize our impact on the environment and follow appropriate Leave No Trace practices.
• Describe yourself, honestly and accurately, in terms of fitness, health, skills, abilities, and your equipment to your guide staff.
• Communicate with your guide staff on the mountain if there are any changes in your medications or health.
• Adhere to the advice of your guide staff.
• Continue to self-assess throughout the program, measuring your fitness, health, skills, and abilities against the demands required of the program.

RMI reserves the right to dismiss the Participant from a program or to send the Participant to a lower altitude at any time if the RMI Guide Staff determines, in its sole discretion, that the Participant is not physically, technically, or psychologically prepared for, or capable of participating in the program, or for any other reason that may compromise the safety, health or well-being of the Participant or the entire group. If this decision is made, the Participant will not receive any refunds or credits and will be financially responsible for any additional costs associated with an early departure, including but not limited to, evacuation, transportation, hotel reservationss, meals, etc.

Zero Tolerance Harassment Policy

Rainier Mountaineering, Inc. (RMI) does not tolerate harassment or mistreatment of our participants or employees. Inappropriate conduct under this policy may include conduct that creates a disrespectful, intimidating, hostile, degrading, humiliating, or offensive environment for a participant or employee. Engaging in such conduct is a violation of this policy.

RMI may consider conduct to violate the policy even if it falls short of unlawful harassment under applicable law. When determining whether conduct violates this policy, we will consider whether a reasonable person could conclude that the conduct created an intimidating, hostile, degrading, or demeaning environment.

Violation of this policy may result in removal from a program, as well as refusal to provide services indefinitely. We place the utmost value on the safety of our participants and employees. Please report any incidents to RMI management.

Age requirements

All participants must be 18 years old at the time of registration.

Photo Release

RMI’s Photo Release outlines the terms and conditions for using your likeness in photographs, videos, or other digital media. 

I hereby grant Rainier Mountaineering, Inc. (RMI) or its affiliates permission to use my likeness in a photograph, video, or other digital media (“photo”) in any and all of its publications, including web-based publications. By granting permission, you allow RMI to utilize these media for lawful purposes. 

Here are the key points:

• Authorization: You authorize RMI to edit, alter, copy, exhibit, publish, or distribute the photos.
• Ownership: All photos become the property of RMI and will not be returned.
• Compensation: You will not be compensated for these uses.
• Rights: RMI exclusively owns all rights to the images, videos, and recordings and to any derivative works created from them. 
• Waiver: You waive the right to inspect or approve printed or electronic copies.
• Release: You release Rainier Mountaineering, Inc. and its assigns and licensees from any claims arising from these uses, including defamation, invasion of privacy, rights of publicity, or copyright.
• Hold Harmless: You hold harmless, release, and forever discharge RMI or its affiliates from any and all claims, demands, and causes of action which I, my heirs, representatives, executors, administrators, or any other persons acting on my behalf or on behalf of my estate have or may have by reason of this authorization.

Summit Attempt

RMI cannot guarantee that you will reach the summit. Weather, route conditions, your own abilities, or the abilities of other climbers may create circumstances that make an ascent unsafe, and you or your entire group may have to turnaround without reaching the summit.

Failure to reach the summit due to a person’s own lack of fitness or to any of the events associated with mountaineering (such as weather, route conditions, avalanche hazard, team dynamics, etc.), are not Rainier Mountaineering, Inc.’s responsibility and will not result in a refund, credit, or reschedule.

General Policies

RMI’s program schedule and itineraries are subject to change or adjustment based on a number of factors. These include, but are not limited to, route conditions, weather, group strength, terrain, other environmental factors, and many other factors. RMI has complete discretion to change plans to accommodate any of these or other factors, including but not limited to increases in program fees, changes to program schedule or itinerary, and changes to guides or staff, as necessary for the proper and safe conduct of the program. Once the program has started, the Lead Guide will decide on any changes to the itinerary, including ending the program early if the continuation of the program may compromise the safety, health, or well-being of the group.

We reserve the right to cancel any program due to inadequate signups, weather, route conditions, or for any other reason. In such a case, we will make every effort to reschedule the Participant on a different program date. If rescheduling is not possible, we will issue the Participant a refund for all program fees paid to RMI, less any non-refundable payments made on behalf of the Participant to secure any of the included land costs provided for this program, including, but not limited to, hotel accommodations, transportation, transfers, tours, group equipment and food, permits, and local outfitter services, prior to the cancellation of the program. Additionally, RMI cannot be responsible for any non-refundable expenses the Participant incurred in preparation for the program (i.e., airline tickets, hotel reservations, rental cars, equipment purchases or rentals, etc.).

Once a program begins, there are no refunds or credits for weather-related cancellations or for a program that may end early due to weather, route conditions, or any other circumstances that may compromise the health, safety, or well-being of the group. Furthermore, if the Participant decides for any reason not to begin a program or to discontinue a program at any time, no refunds or credits will be issued. The Participant will be responsible for all additional costs associated with an early departure, including but not limited to evacuation, transportation, hotel reservations, meals, etc.

The Participant is responsible for any costs due to COVID-19, including but not limited to, any testing fees to enter another country, tests required to return to the US, and/or costs associated with medical care and/or quarantine such as hotel accommodations, meals, separate transportation, etc.

Land Costs are provided as a package, and refunds or credits will not be issued for any unused meals, accommodations, group transportation, or other unused costs. Accommodations are based on double occupancy. A Single Supplement Fee will be charged to those Participants occupying single accommodations either by choice or circumstance. If you are willing to share a room, we will make every effort to pair you with another same-gender team member. We will match willing same-gender team members based on the order of registration date. If we are unable to match you with another same-gender team member, a single supplement fee will be charged. The availability of single accommodations is limited in most of the hotels where we stay, and single accommodations are not available while in the mountains.

The Participant understands and agrees that RMI assumes no responsibility or liability in connection with any travel and hospitality services provided to the Participant by other companies in connection with the program, including but not limited to, the services provided by airlines, hotels, rental cars, and transportation companies and that RMI is not responsible for any act, error, omission, or any injury, loss, accident, delay, irregularity, or danger by a supplier of travel or hospitality services to the Participant in connection with the RMI program. The Participant will be responsible for all costs associated with any travel delays, missed connections, or missing baggage that requires additional arrangements (separate transportation, hotel accommodations, meals, etc.) to be made on your behalf for you or your baggage to rejoin the program.

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Travelfornoobs

The Complete Packing List for Moscow

Moscow packing list – what you need to bring, how to pack for moscow.

You’ve booked your plane ticket and the time of departure is fast approaching? After the joys of such a decision, comes the question of knowing what to put in your suitcase to go to Moscow. No need to panic, we have prepared a very complete list of the essential things to bring to make sure you don’t miss anything once you are there.

In order to leave no room for unforeseen events, it’s of course preferable to go through this list a few days before leaving rather than the day before departure, as you might miss some items.

Take the time to read and download it in order to identify the things that you absolutely must pack and that you might miss and that could make you lose time and money if you forget them.

You will also need to think about packing according to the type of accommodation you will be staying in, the different modes of transportation you will use during your trip, the climate and the season, as well as the activities you plan to do.

In order to help you prepare your suitcase, this checklist of the essential things to bring in Moscow gathers several categories: clothes, accessories, various objects… It will allow you to have a concrete vision of a typical suitcase for Moscow.

An advice, think of keeping some space in your luggage if you wish to bring back souvenirs or to make some clothing shopping on the spot.

Thanks to this travel list, preparing your bag for Moscow will be a real child’s play and you will just have to enjoy your adventure!

Note : This article contains affiliate links to Amazon.

• Important hings to do before you go
• Essential documents
• Transport essentials
• Backpack & luggage
• Clothing and shoes
• Hygiene & Toiletries
• Photo, Video & High Tech
• Useful accessories
• Medication and first aid kit
• Activities and Useful Links (+ Printable checklist PDF)

1/ Important things to do before you go

 Prepare your travel itinerary  Apply for a visa (if necessary)  Make your vaccinations (if necessary)  Check-up at the doctor / dentist  Take out a travel insurance  Photocopy or scan important documents (passport)  Write down e-mail and useful phone numbers in your address book  Warn your bank about your trip abroad (if necessary)  Book accomodation for your first night ( Do it now before everything is fully booked! Check the best hotels on Booking )  Download offline applications and maps for Maps.me  Download movies offline   Prepare your favorite music playlist  Turn off or turn down the heat of your house  Empty garbage cans  Water the plants   Give a copy of your house/car keys to a family member or friend  Close doors and windows

2/ Essential documents

Even before you buy your plane ticket, remember to check the validity of your passport : it must be valid for at least six months after your return date (for some countries) and have a blank page. Another tip: send your important documents to a secondary email in case you lose them.

   Passport   ID card    Plane or train ticket (have a paper copy just in case)   Reservation documents (e-ticket, train ticket, hotel reservation)   Visa (if necessary)   International driver’s license, if you wish to rent a car   Health insurance card   Travel insurance   Credit card   Cash   Useful numbers in case of emergency   Itinerary and address of your accommodation (hotel / AirBnB / camping)   Vaccination certificate   Diving license, sailing license, etc.   Some business cards with your contact information, email, blog, website

3/ Transport essentials

The little things to have with you at all times during the flight or the trip by train or bus:

 Phone and charger  Book / Magazine / Kindle / Travel Guide  MP3 player   Chewing gum   Pen + notepad  Travel pillow ( my favorite )  Sleep mask ( my favorite )   Earplugs   Snacks / sandwich   Small water bottle  Nasal ointment for dry nose  Sunglasses   Glasses case   Watch   Hand sanitizer   Disposable face mask   Tissues   Motion sickness medication

4/ Backpack & luggage

 Waterproof dry bag ( my favorite )  Handbag   Travel laundry bag ( my favorite )  Carry-on suitcase ( my favorite )  Travel bag ( my favorite )   Luggage tag ( my favorite )   Travel Packing Organizers ( my favorite )   Rain cover for backpack ( my favorite )   Zippered carry-on bag   Shoe bag ( my favorite )   Fanny pack   Lightweight foldable backpack ( my favorite )

5/ Clothing and shoes

  Socks  Underwear (panties, thongs, bras, briefs, boxers…)  Tank tops  Skirt ♀  Dress ♀  Pajamas  T-shirts  Long sleeve shirt ( for her , for him )  Short sleeve shirt ( for her , for him )  Polo shirt ( for her , for him )   Sweatshirt / pullover ( for her , for him )   Jeans   Lightweight pants ( for her , for him )   Money belt ( my favorite )   Shorts   Jogging suit   Jacket / coat   K-way ( for her , for him )   Windbreaker ( for her , for him )  Hat / cap / beanie   Scarf / bandana   Swimsuit   Buff scarf ( my favorite )

For shoes, you will have to choose according to the activities you plan to do:

 Comfortable walking shoes   Shoes for going out (restaurants, bars, clubs…)  Flip-flops (for the beach, showers…) ( for her , for him )  Hiking shoes ( for her , for him )  Sandals ( for her , for him )   Water shoes for walking in water (beaches, waterfalls, rivers…) ( for her , for him )  Light trekking shoes ( for her , for him )  Crocs

6/ Hygiene & Toiletries

 Microfiber towel ( my favorite )   Toilet bag   Portable Travel Bottles ( my favorite )  Toothbrush & toothpaste  Dental floss  Soap   Shampoo   Facial cleanser   Nail clippers   Cotton buds (biodegradable)   Tweezers   Make-up   Deodorant   Comb / Hairbrush   Razor & shaving foam ♂   Biodegradable wipes ( my favorite )   Toilet paper roll   Perfume   Makeup ♀   Contact Lenses   Contact lens product   Pocket mirror

7/ Photo, Video & High Tech

For photographers and videographers:

 Camera  Lens  Memory card  Polarizing filters   ND filter   Extra battery   Charger + cable + plug adapter   Cleaning kit   External hard drive   USB key   Stabilizer   Drone ( my favorite )    Waterproof phone case   Flash   Solar charger ( my favorite )    Gopro ( my favorite )   Waterproof case   Selfie Pole  External battery / Powerbank ( my favorite ) 

Don’t forget:

 Portable speaker  Ipad / Tablet  Laptop PC  External battery  Headphones or noise cancelling headphones ( my favorite )

Useful apps to download before you go to Moscow:

 AirBnB  Booking  Couchsurfing  Flush – Public Toilet Finder (Useful for finding toilets!)  Google Maps  Google Translator  Google Trips  Lonely Planet Guide  LoungeBuddy  Maps.me  Meetup  Tripadvisor  Uber  Whatsapp  XE Currency

8/ Useful accessories

The accessories you will take in your bag for Moscow will depend on your travel style:

  TSA lock ( my favorite )  Headlamp ( my favorite )  Sleeping bag ( my favorite )  Sheets ( my favorite )  Swiss Army knife (not in the hand luggage!) ( my favorite )  Travel clothesline ( my favorite )  Powdered or liquid detergent  Clothes pegs  Spork ( my favorite )  Ziploc bags  Lighter  Folding umbrella ( my favorite )  Toilet paper  Mosquito repellent ( my favorite )   Mosquito net ( my favorite )   Sunscreen cream  Aloe vera gel   Waterproof pouch for smartphone    For hikers : GPS, map, compass, water bottle   Walking stick ( my favorite )   Anti-sweat talcum powder ( my favorite )   Beach towel ( my favorite )   Sawyer water filter ( must-have !)  Pills to purify non-drinking water   Mask, snorkel, fins   Diving accessories (gloves, dive computer, lamp, knife…)

9/ Medication and first aid kit

I suggest that you consult your doctor and dentist before leaving. Beware of unauthorized medication and remember to keep your vaccinations up to date!

If you have a treatment don’t forget to take your personal medication and your prescription if necessary (or medical certificate).

You can buy a first aid kit already prepared ( my favorite ).

  Cotton buds   Tweezers   Round-tipped scissors   Pairs of single-use latex gloves  Bandages   Paracetamol or ibuprofen for pain   Sterile compresses   Disinfectant spray for wounds   Physiological saline solution in pods (wound cleaning)   Condoms and other contraceptives

For longer trips and higher risk locations, we can also add:

  Sterile adhesive skin sutures (steristrips)   Rehydration solutions (in case of dehydration)   Water purification tablets   Water decontamination tablets (Aquatabs or Micropur)   Medication for altitude   Medication for sore throat    Anti-malarial medication   Survival blanket   Tick tweezers   Ointment against itching (antihistamine)   Probiotics for the stomach   Corticosteroid pills and cream   Analgesics (painkillers)   Survival blanket   Cold medicine (decongestant)   Biafine (in case of burns or sunburns)   Broad-spectrum antibiotics without a prescription   Anti-diarrhea tablets (immodium, smecta)

10/ Activities and Useful Links + Printable checklist

You can download the complete travel list in PDF format and print it by clicking here.

Book your hotel in Moscow now on Booking.com

AirBnb : Get a discount for your first booking!

Book now your activities in Moscow on Getyourguide:

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