The Ascending the Mountain project has arrived in ARC Raiders, giving players a new reason to explore dangerous zones and stockpile useful materials. The project is officially available until October 5, 2026, so there is a limited window to complete its stages before the next Expedition departure opportunity. For players preparing their inventories, ARC Raiders Coins can be useful alongside careful resource management, but the main challenge here is gathering the required materials without wasting valuable storage space.
Prepare Before Starting
Ascending the Mountain is designed around several rounds of material collection, and the requirements can quickly become demanding. Rather than completing one stage and only then looking ahead, it is more efficient to review upcoming objectives before leaving for a raid. This approach lets you collect several related materials during the same trip instead of repeatedly returning to the same locations.
Inventory management is particularly important. ARC Raiders gives players limited room to carry everything they find, which means every extraction requires some thought. Secure-container space should be reserved for materials that are difficult to replace or especially valuable. Common components can usually be recovered later, while rare project items may require several successful runs.
Stage 1 Requirements
The first stage of Ascending the Mountain is called Research High-Altitude Mechanics. Its requirements are relatively straightforward compared with the tougher objectives that can follow, but players still need to collect several different types of materials. The list includes 10 Mechanical Components, six Pop Triggers, 10 Explosive Compounds, and two Headphones.
Mechanical Components can be crafted at the Refiner by using seven Metal Parts and three Rubber Parts for each component. Players can also locate these components in areas identified as Mechanical on the map. If crafting materials are already available, using the Refiner can be a convenient way to fill this part of the requirement without relying entirely on random loot.
Finding Pop Triggers
Pop Triggers require a different approach because they are obtained by defeating Pop Arcs and scavenging their bodies. This makes the material dependent on encountering the appropriate ARC enemies during raids. Instead of searching randomly, players should pay attention to locations where these enemies are commonly encountered and combine the hunt with other objectives.
The key is efficiency. If a run already takes you through an area containing Pop Arcs, use that opportunity to collect the required triggers rather than launching a separate raid solely for them. Combining objectives reduces travel time and lowers the number of dangerous extractions required.
Explosive Compound and Headphones
Explosive Compound can be found at the Hydroponic Dome Complex on the Dam Battlegrounds map. Since the project requires 10 of them, players should make this location a priority when planning a dedicated farming run. However, valuable loot and enemy activity can make repeated visits risky, so entering with a clear extraction plan is worthwhile.
The two Headphones are obtained from random apartments in Buried City. Their random nature means players may need patience while checking suitable buildings. It is sensible to search apartments during another Buried City objective instead of making the trip exclusively for two items.
Stage 1 Rewards and Efficient Progress
Finishing the first stage rewards players with the Burletta IV Pistol, an Extended Light Mag III Attachment, and a Silencer III Attachment. These rewards make the opening stage worthwhile, particularly for players interested in improving their equipment while progressing through the project.
For players who want to speed up the grind, planning several objectives around the same raid is the best approach. If additional supplies are needed along the way, knowing where to buy ARC Raiders Coins can complement an overall preparation strategy, although the project itself still depends on successful exploration, looting, and extraction.
Keep the Project Moving
Ascending the Mountain is a time-limited opportunity, so waiting until the final days can create unnecessary pressure. Building a material checklist, protecting rare resources, and farming multiple objectives together can make the entire project feel much more manageable. With sensible inventory choices and a clear route, the first stage becomes a useful introduction to the larger challenge ahead.
