(1) With Salomon's Proton Mid GTX, get the protection of a real boot with the light, agile feel of a sneaker. $160; salomonsports.com

(2) Cruise over mixed snow and scree with KTS's Steel Crampons, which are light, compact, and more durable than aluminum models. $144; kahtoola.com

(3) Consider The North Face's Flash Jacket your minimalist bivy sack. It's stuffed with 800-fill down and weighs just a few feathers over 13 ounces. $229; thenorthface.com

(4) Marmot's Eiger 35 pack handles long days of alpine abuse. Credit 420-denier nylon reinforcements and a molded suspension that doesn't wilt when overloaded. $109; marmot.com

(5) Zip-off pants? Only if they're Prana's smart-looking, nylon-and-spandex Katek Convertible. $75; prana.com

(6) Helly Hansen's flat-seamed Frost Hoodie blends synthetic and merino fabrics in a versatile layer you can wear peak- and pint-bagging. $90; hellyhansen.com

(7) Drink from mountain streams—safely—with Sawyer's 32-ounce Water Filter. $55; sawyer.com

(8) Sure, a couple sticks will do, but they won't have the rubber grips or easy-locking adjustment of Black Diamond's Syncro trekking poles. $90; bdel.com

(9) Arc'teryx's Gamma LT Pullover is lighter than most soft shells but still scrape-proof and plenty weather- resistant for passing squalls. $125; arcteryx.com