ACONCAGUA GEAR LIST
OVERVIEW
This Gear list is the same for all climbs.
- It is very important to bring each required item on the gear list. Email or call us with gear questions.
- Item images represent suggested products for that item.
FOOTWEAR
TRAIL RUNNING SHOES (OPTIONAL)
This type of footwear is optional and only recommended for those accustomed to walking on mountain trails with this type of footwear. If you choose to bring them, we will only use them in the first part of the expedition and only if weather conditions permit.
GAITERS
Long waterproof gaiters that fit perfectly over double boots. Short trekking gaiters do not offer sufficient protection. If the chosen boot already comes with integrated gaiters, these will not be necessary.
SYNTHETIC INNER SOCKS
3 pairs of lightweight synthetic socks that fit snugly on the foot to wear warmer socks on top.
SYNTHETIC OR WOOL SOCKS
4 pairs of thick mountain socks, allowing for wearing inner socks underneath.
TREKKING BOOTS OR SHOES
For approach. We recommend they be lightweight, comfortable shoe that provides good support to walk over rocky/gravel trails and have a good grip and support.
BOOTIES (OPTIONAL)
Synthetic or down camp booties for comfortable wear around camp.
DOUBLE BOOTS
Aconcagua is a very cold mountain (especially on summit day) and of great height, requiring extremely warm footwear. We recommend three types of boots: Boots for 8,000 meters “All in one” (Scarpa Phantom 8,000, Millet Everest), double boots for 6,000 or 7,000 meters (La Sportiva Spantik, La Sportiva G2 SM or G2 EVO, Scarpa Phantom 6,000) and 6000RD Lowa Boots. Having suitable footwear is absolutely critical to ascend with proper protection to prevent frostbite. If you have boots for climbing mountains above 6,000 meters that are not listed here, do not hesitate to consult us.
SPORT SANDALS
Crocs-style or Teva sandals for river crossings.
TECHNICAL CLOTHING
DOWN JACKET
Expedition-grade warm jacket for 8,000 meters, preferably down-filled, and in excellent condition to maximize insulation.
FLEECE JACKET OR PULLOVER
1 or 2 fleece jackets or pullovers or similar, to wear over the inner shirt, or even as a mid-layer in cold conditions. The hood is optional but always recommended.
INNER SHIRT
2 or 3 long-sleeved inner shirts, made of synthetic material, merino wool, or polyester (non-cotton). Our guides recommend them in light colors and with a hood to protect the head.
HARDSHELL JACKET
Fully waterproof jacket with a hood. It can be made of Gore-Tex, Pro Shell, or a similar e-Vent fabric, as these offer long-term weather protection. It should fit comfortably over the other layers (inner shirt, fleece jacket, lightweight insulated jacket, and soft- shell jacket), and should also be able to be worn with a helmet.
SOFTSHELL JACKET
This jacket must be breathable and wind-resistant, as it is a key part of the layering system used in the mountains. It should fit comfortably over the other layers (inner shirt, fleece jacket, and lightweight insulated jacket).
SYNTHETIC INSULATED PANTS
Warm synthetic pants, preferably with side zippers. Ski pants are not the most suitable for this purpose in Aconcagua.
BASELAYER BOTTOMS
1 or 2 Pair of Non-cotton baselayer bottoms that should fit snugly without constriction. We recommend lighter weight baselayers rather than heavier fleece-type layers. Wool, wool blend, polyester, or other synthetic fabrics all work well. Be sure your baselayer pants are not constructed from cotton.
HARDSHELL PANTS
Fully waterproof pants that fit comfortably over other layers (inner pants and softshell pants). We recom- mend having side zippers that cover the full length of the leg for greater comfort, although they can also be pants with shorter side zippers that allow you to put them on or take them off without removing your boots.
SOFTSHELL PANTS
Elastic softshell pants, which can be worn with or without insulated pants. Trekking pants are too light- weight to be considered softshell pants.
TREKKING PANTS
We recommend lightweight and breathable trekking pants for the approach to the base camp. Models that convert into shorts are also an excellent and more versatile option.
T-SHIRTS OR TOPS
We suggest bringing a small selection of T-shirts, both for the city and for the approach to the base camp.
MENS/WOMENS UNDERWEAR
4 or 5 units of comfortable, preferably synthetic garments.
SHORTS (OPTIONAL)
Trekking shorts.
HANDWEAR
EXPEDITION MITTENS
These are essential when weather conditions are extremely cold. Make sure to choose the warmest available model on the market, such as those with down filling.
SOFTSHELL GLOVES
Moderately warm gloves, for when mittens are too much.
LIGHTWEIGHT LINER GLOVES
2 pairs of lightweight inner gloves, made of wool or synthetic material, that fit comfortably on the hands. Lighter colors absorb less sunlight and offer UV protection, although black or dark-colored ones are also acceptable.
HEADWEAR
SKI GOGGLES
High-quality goggles to protect against sun and wind at altitude, particularly on summit day. The lens should offer a visible light transmission (VLT) of no more than 30%. Those with sensitive eyes may use darker lenses. Photochromic models are ideal for changing conditions.
GLACIER GLASSES
High-quality glacier sunglasses with maximum UV protection, providing full coverage around the eyes and nose. Each passenger must bring a pair of sun- glasses with a Category 3 solar filter and a pair of sunglasses with a Category 4 filter. Removable side shields are not necessary, as long as the eye coverage is sufficient.
SUNHAT OR CAP
Any style of lightweight hat to protect the head will work well. Baseball-style caps and hats are the most common.
WOOL OR SYNTHETIC SKI HAT
A wool or synthetic ski hat that comfortably covers the head and ears (should not be made of cotton).
BALACLAVA
One full balaclava that fits comfortably. A Buff does not replace this item.
BUFF
2 Buffs are essential for use on Aconcagua. The UV Buff is a versatile replacement for the scarf and serves many purposes.
DUST MASK (OPTIONAL)
For those who are sensitive to dust. It can be left at the base camp.
CLIMBING TECHNICAL EQUIPMENT
TREKKING POLES
There is a wide variety of poles that can work well. However, we recommend foldable 3-section models, as they make transportation easier on steeper terrain. Models like the Black Diamond Trail or similar are sufficient, but there are more expensive and lighter models, such as the Black Diamond Distance Carbon Z, which offers a greater advantage in terms of weight.
ICE AXE
A general mountaineering ice axe. We recommend the following size as a general guideline: Heights of 5’4” and under should use a 52 cm ice axe, from 5’5’ to 6’0’ use a 59 cm one, and above 6’0’ use a 66 cm one. When in doubt, a shorter ice axe is better than a longer one. Remember to keep the ice axe wrist straps, as they are a key safety feature for this item.
CLIMBING HELMET
We recommend a lightweight technical climbing helmet that fits comfortably over the head, ski hat, and/or balaclava. The headlamp should be able to be securely attached to the outside of the helmet.
CRAMPONS
We recommend modern mountaineering crampons, 12-point steel with anti-snow plates. Rigid aluminum 10-point crampons or one-piece crampons are not recommended.
ROPE SLING AND CARABINERS
A 2 m rope sling and 2 carabiners to use on summit day.
BACKPACKS AND BAGS
FOAM PAD
This foam pad should be full-length to insulate you from the cold and moisture.
INFLATABLE SLEEPING PAD
An ultralight inflatable full-length body pad, as it is more comfortable. We recommend bringing a valve repair kit/patch kit.
DOWN -20°F / -30°C SLEEPING BAG
This sleeping bag should be rated to -20° Fahrenheit / -30° Celsius and should be down-filled rather than synthetic filling, to optimize weight and volume. Make sure to include a compression sack of the appropriate size.
TREKKING BACKPACK
A small backpack, approximately 35-40 liters, can be useful for comfortably traversing the approach to base camps.
EXPEDITION DUFFEL BAG
A duffel bag of approximately 150 liters to transport all the equipment. Keep in mind that this bag will be exposed to potential wear and tear during mule transport.
EXPEDITION BACKPACK
A technical backpack between 75-105 liters, designed with specific mountaineering features such as an internal frame. The volume you choose will often depend on your own experience. If you opt for a back- pack of less than 100 liters, we suggest practicing how to fill it with all the expedition gear to ensure that you can carry what is necessary from the base camp on.
PERSONAL EQUIPMENT
CONTAINER BAG
For those planning to hire a personal porter, they must bring 4 grain-sack type bags of 20 liters’ of capacity each.
TOWEL
Essential for making the most of the showers at our base camps.
PEE BOTTLE
A wide-mouthed 1 or 1.5-liter bottle, for use overnight.
THERMOS
A high-quality, leak-proof thermos, comfortable and secure, for cold days in the mountains. Preferably 1-liter capacity.
HAND AND TOE WARMERS
It is recommended to bring 3 sets of each. When purchasing them, keep in mind that foot warmers are different from hand warmers, as the former are formulated to work in a lower oxygen environment, such as inside a boot.
BOWL 1
Deep bowl (two-cup capacity). Models with lids (like Tupperware) work well, as do bowls without lids and flatter models of “deep plate.” Foldable models may be sufficient but must be handled with care to avoid unintentional collapse.
MEDICATIONS & PRESCRIPTIONS
If needed, don’t forget to bring all your prescribed medications with their prescription. Additionally, we recommend bringing Pepto Bismol, Cipro (500 mg tablets), Metronidazole, Z-Paks (250 mg tablets), Diamox (if you are going to use it, the recommended dose is 2 tablets of 125 mg per day at altitude) and pain relievers such as Excedrin Extra Strength, Ibuprofen, etc.
WATER PURIFICATION TOOLS
We recommend drops or chemical tablets for water treatment. Lightweight sterilized pens with extra batteries may be sufficient but do not work well in extreme cold conditions. Make sure your system is sufficient for your entire trip, as some tablet packages only treat a very small amount of water. As a general guideline, estimate 4 to 6 liters of water per day.
SMALL PERSONAL FIRST AID KIT
We recommend bringing basic medical supplies into a compact package (basic pain relievers, anti- diarrheal, first aid tape, gauze, Band-Aids, antiseptic wipes or gel, etc.).
LIPSCREEN
It is recommended to bring several tubes of SPF 30+ lip balm. Like sunscreen, make sure your lip balm is new. (Recommended: Aloe Gator Medicated 30 SPF Lip Balm).
SUNSCREEN
Several pots of SPF 30+ sunscreen. We recommend a completely new sunscreen, as once opened, it tends to lose some SPF protection.
TOILETRY KIT
This kit should include toilet paper (one roll stored in a plastic bag), hand sanitizer, toothbrush, toothpaste, dental floss, and some wet wipes if preferred.
SPOON AND FORK
One fork and one spoon, designed for outdoor activities.
KNIFE
Medium-sized knife, preferably foldable.
HAND SANITIZER
Many alcohol-based hand sanitizers will work well. Bring a small amount appropriate to the duration of the trip.
MUG
An insulated mug with a detachable lid that retains heat well and is spill-resistant. Models of 12-20 ounces are a good option.
WATER BOTTLE COVER
Each water bottle must come with mandatory protective covers that are fully insulated, and if possible with a closure opening. Neoprene covers do not provide sufficient insulation, so they are not recommended.
WATER BOTTLES
Two to three 1-liter capacity bottles, wide-mouthed, and made of copolyester (BPA-free plastic) such as Nalgene. The Camelback system is not recommended as it freezes or is difficult to fill. On the other hand, metal bottles tend to stick to lips in the cold.
ENERGY FOODS
Each passenger must bring, as a requirement, no less than:
Twenty (20) electrolyte replacement juice pouches (Emergency, Cytomax, Nuun). Our mountain guides prefer to add 1 pouch per liter of water, so 20 pouches are the necessary amount.
6-8 Energy Gels for summit day (GU, Powergel, Clifshot)
12 Energy Bars (Clif bar, Power bar, Balance bar, Luna bar, etc.)
10-20 candy bars (Snickers, Twix, Milky Way, Hershey, Nature Valley, etc.)
Assorted chocolates and candies
HEADLAMP
We recommend an LED headlamp, offering 90-200 lumens of output. Also, bring newly placed batteries and spare batteries. Models resistant to weather conditions are preferred.
WET WIPES
OPTIONAL ITEMS
TRAVEL POWER ADAPTER
Type C (two round prongs) and Type I (three flat prongs, two of which are angled) are the most com- mon. However, we suggest researching which adapters are necessary to plug in your devices.
EARPLUGS
We recommend bringing several pairs of disposable foam earplugs to help you sleep; these are especially important on windy nights.
COMPACTOR BAGS
Two or three compression garbage bags, which are generally made of durable, waterproof plastic, and are very useful during an extended stay in the mountains.
HYDRATION SYSTEM
Only to be used on the approach to base camps, as it in no way serves as a substitute for water bottles at altitude.
PEE FUNNEL (FOR WOMEN)
If you bring it, we recommend having practiced with it beforehand.