When I am guiding in the mountains, I think of eyewear as essential piece of safety equipment that is non-negotiable! Once we are above tree line, bright snow, wind, and intense UV exposure can quickly turn poor visibility into a serious problem.Snow blindness is not only painful it also puts the others in your party at risk because now they must deal with someone who is, for all practical purposes, blind.
When choosing a pair to purchase you want to look at the following considerations.
Proper UV protection is a must. Look for sunglasses that provide 100% UVA and UVB protection. On glaciers and snowfields, I strongly prefer category 4 glacier glasses, which are designed for extremely bright conditions and block a very high percentage of visible light. In these conditions I find that the photochromatic lenses (lenses that get darker and lighter depending upon the amount of light) just do not get dark enough for my eyes.
Coverage is important. Choose frames that fit securely and limit light coming in from all sides. Side shields or wraparound designs are especially valuable on snow, where reflected sunlight can reach your eyes from almost every direction.
Do not forget eye protection in bad weather. For stormy approaches, climbing, or skiing, quality goggles can provide better protection than sunglasses from blowing snow, spindrift, and wind. I also recommend carrying a backup pair of sunglasses. Losing or breaking your primary eyewear miles from the trailhead is an avoidable problem. For specific late season routes like Clear Creek on Mt Shasta, I also either bring clear lensed glasses such as racquetball goggles or a photochromatic lensed pair of glasses. When it is windy this route has a Lot of dust and sand blowing around and in the early morning dark it sucks to have to wear your regular sunglasses.
Finally, make sure your eye wear works with your helmet, hood, sun hat, and other gear before the trip. The best pair is the one you can wear comfortably for hours without slipping, fogging, or creating pressure points.
In the mountains, good eyewear helps you protect your vision, manage glare, and stay focused on the route ahead. Treat themlike any other piece of critical mountain equipment and do not be afraid to spend some good coin on them. Your eyes are worth it!
Written By David Cressman