Aconcagua gear listing: all you want for summit success

Our full Aconcagua gear listing consists of the whole lot you’ll must summit the very best mountain within the Western and Southern Hemispheres

Aconcagua in Argentina, at 6,961m (22,837ft), is South America’s highest mountain and one of many seven summits (the seven peaks that make up the very best level on each continent). 

I not too long ago returned from climbing Aconcagua with Acomara Aconcagua Expeditions. trekking firm will problem you with an in depth equipment listing, however I all the time prefer to see what different individuals have used.

As such, I believed it will be useful to share my full Aconcagua gear listing for future climbers to make use of as a reference.

Aconcagua gear listing contents

Specialist gear

I had many of the gear beforehand however there have been some specialist objects I wanted. I purchase practically all my out of doors gear from Cotswold Out of doors. In the event you’re based mostly within the US, then we suggest REI.

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Mountaineering and mountain climbing boots are required for Aconcagua

Double or plastic mountaineering boots (made up of a tough exterior plastic shell and an inside delicate bootie) and acceptable crampons are required for a mountain of this peak.

Common mountain climbing boots may be worn for the trek in, acclimatisation hikes and in between the decrease camps – I wore my light-weight Eager boots (just like Lowa’s basic Renegade). However greater up, notably on summit day, double boots are important.

Heat clothes can also be very important. Out of your base layer to your down jacket, it’s value investing in the suitable gear for the suitable setting. For summit day, a 700+ fill energy down jacket is crucial together with high and backside waterproof shells.

Woollen base layers are ultimate, notably Merino wool. Merino affords excellent breathability and moisture-wicking and usually offers with odours higher than polyester or nylon options. I took a number of woollen merchandise from Smartwool. Learn our article on the right way to layer clothes for extra data.

I took 4 pairs of gloves from Black Diamond to Aconcagua together with a liner, a mid-layer wool liner, a water-resistant glove and mountain mittens. I used the mid-layer wool liner most days, the waterproofs on the greater camps and the mittens and liners for summit day.

Different necessities embrace a four-season sleeping bag, a cushty tenting mattress, ski goggles (I like to recommend Bloc for goggles and sun shades), a helmet, thick mountaineering socks, at the very least three Nalgene bottles (two for water and one for pee) and trekking poles.

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Ski goggles from Bloc

Lastly, you will have one thing to place all of it in. I used a Jack Wolfskin 100l duffel as checked baggage on my flight. They’ve now been discontinued, so I like to recommend a giant base camp duffel by The North Face as a substitute. Throughout the expedition, it was loaded onto mules and brought to base camp.

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I used a Jack Wolfskin 100l duffel and a Osprey 85l backpack

On the mountain, I used an 85l Osprey expedition backpack. This was giant and cozy sufficient for the excessive camp carries and will simply be packed down and used as a day pack all through the remainder of the climb. The detachable lid additionally means it could actually compress additional and be used as carry-on baggage throughout flights.

I took just a few luxuries with me for the climb together with a pair of Haglöfs down booties to put on round camp. It was an actual deal with to vary into one thing comfy, however nonetheless heat, within the evenings after a protracted day on the path.

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My down booties had been an actual luxurious when not trekking

I carry a good quantity of electronics on treks and climbs together with two cameras and a smartphone. All of those want juice, so a dependable energy financial institution and photo voltaic charger make life simpler. I packed a PowerTraveller energy financial institution and a photo voltaic charger.

Each nonetheless operate in chilly temperatures. The Powergorilla can cost gadgets as much as 24Volts (reminiscent of a laptop computer). I used the photo voltaic charger most days because it was dependable sufficient to cost my smaller gadgets.

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I used an influence financial institution and photo voltaic charger from PowerTraveller

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It’s attainable to lease most objects on my Aconcagua gear listing on arrival in Mendoza. Nonetheless, it’s cheaper in the long term to purchase your individual gear and it’s additionally higher to have examined the whole lot beforehand, notably in the case of footwear and clothes.

Each climber ought to carry a private first support equipment on them always. Attempt to use biodegradable toiletries within the mountains.

• Power gel and/or snacks
• Sunscreen (SPF 40+)
• Lip balm (SPF 30+)
• Cleaning soap (biodegradable)
• Coin tissues
• Light-weight journey towel
• Toothbrush and toothpaste
• Roll-on deodorant
• Rest room roll/tissue
• Antibacterial wipes (biodegradable)
• Hand sanitiser
• Imodium (or related diarrhoea remedy)
• Ibuprofen
• Paracetamol
• Antiseptic cream
• Plasters / Band-Help
• Compeed (blister remedy)
• Electrolyte tablets
• Diamox – for altitude illness (elective – I choose to not use it, however many do)
• Water purification tablets (50l +)
• Any further prescribed drugs you might be taking

• Passport + photocopies
• Spare passport images
• Insurance coverage certificates and particulars
• Flight data
• Visa data if required
• Spending cash (enable $100 USD for suggestions)

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Lead picture: Atlas & Boots