ACONCAGUA GEAR LIST
OVERVIEW
- Each item on the list below is required unless specified to be optional.
- If seasonal fluctuations impact the requirement for an item on your list, it will be specified.
- All other items are required regardless of the forecast to ensure your well-being, as weather and conditions can change quickly in the mountains.
- Item images represent one product suggestion for that item.
FOOTWEAR
BOOTIES (OPTIONAL)
To be comfortable and warm at the base camp, or in tents and altitude domes.
SYNTHETIC INNER SOCKS
2 pairs of lightweight liner socks. These must fit snugly and beneath your wool socks.
LIGHT HIKING BOOTS OR TREKKING SHOES
For any approaches across dry trail. Light weight, high comfort, plenty of room in the toe box, and good support should be stressed here.
HIKING BOOT
Waterproof hiking boots designed for hiking in cool to cold conditions. Modern, lightly insulated boots with room in the toe box and good support should be stressed. Models like the Scarpa Terra GTX are ideal.
SYNTHETIC OR WOOL SOCKS
2 or 3 pairs of medium to heavy hiking socks. These must fit over your liner socks if you plan to wear liner socks.
TECHNICAL CLOTHING
MENS/WOMENS UNDERWEAR
Two to three pairs based on personal preference. Synthetic or wool fabrics only; bring a comfortable athletic style for any top and bottom underwear.
SOFTSHELL JACKET
This breathable but wind-and-weather resistant jacket is a key part of a mountaineering layering system. We recommend a hooded model. This layer must fit well over your midlayer top and baselayer top.
HARDSHELL JACKET
A non-insulated, fully waterproof shell jacket with a hood. We recommend durable 3-layer fabric. Gore-Tex Pro Shell or a similar eVent fabric will offer the most durability and long-term weather protection. This layer must fit comfortably over your baselayer, midlayer, softshell, and potentially a lightweight insulated layer. Helmet-compatible hoods are required.
LIGHTWEIGHT INSULATED JACKET
We recommend a lightweight insulated jacket to serve either as a layering piece or as stand-alone insulation when appropriate. This may be filled with down or synthetic insulation. This jacket often referred to as puffy jacket.
MIDLAYER TOP
A mid-weight, form-fitting, lightweight fleece layer for use over baselayers or as a baselayer in cold conditions. Hoods are optional but recommended.
BASELAYER TOP
2 long-sleeved baselayer tops. Baselayers must be constructed of a non-cotton material such as merino wool or polyester. Note that many guides prefer light-colored, hooded baselayers for sun protection.
SHORTS (OPTIONAL)
Comfortable, non-cotton athletic shorts can be nice during the trek, at base camp, or during river crossings.
TREKKING PANTS
Lightweight, breathable trekking pants are recommended for the approach to base camp. Many choose to use zip-off versions for versatility.
HARDSHELL PANTS
Non-insulated, fully waterproof shell pants that must fit comfortably over your baselayer bottoms and softshell pants. Full-length separating size zippers are preferred; shorter side zippers are allowed if you can put on and take off your pants without removing your boots.
SOFTSHELL PANTS (OPTIONAL)
Stretchy, comfortable, non-insulated softshell pants which should fit comfortably with or without your baselayer bottoms. Please note that “zip-off”-style trekking pants are too light to be considered softshell pants.
BASELAYER BOTTOMS
1 or 2 Pair of Non-cotton baselayer bottoms that should fit snugly without constriction.
T-SHIRTS OR TOPS
Bring a small selection of t-shirts as well, for use around town and for the trek into basecamp.
HANDWEAR
SOFTSHELL GLOVES
Midweight, lightly insulated gloves for use when mittens are too warm and liner gloves are not warm enough. Leather-palm construction is always ideal for the sake of durability.
LIGHTWEIGHT LINER GLOVES
2 pairs of very lightweight wool or synthetic liner gloves that offer a snug, comfortable fit. Lighter colors absorb less sunlight while still offering UV protection. Black or dark-color gloves are also acceptable.
HEADWEAR
SUNHAT OR CAP
Any style of lightweight hat for shading the head will work well. Baseball caps and sombrero-style sun hats are the most common.
BUFF
2 buffs are must-have for Aconcagua. The UV Buff is a versatile replacement for the bandana and serves a multitude of purposes.
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.
WOOL OR SYNTHETIC SKI HAT
A non-cotton wool or synthetic hat that covers the head and ears comfortably.
DUST MASK (OPTIONAL)
For those who are sensitive to dust. It can be left at the base camp.
BACKPACKS AND BAGS
SMALL DUFFEL
This item can double as carry-on luggage for your flight, and is used to store any items you do not plan to take into the mountains. Think light and simple, with 40-50 liters of total capacity. Bring a travel lock for peace of mind.
INFLATABLE SLEEPING PAD
A full-length, modern inflatable sleeping pad is recommended. Older-style three-quarter length pads have been superseded by ultralight full-length pads. We recommend bringing a valve repair/body patch kit.
20F DOWN SLEEPING BAG
This sleeping bag should be rated to 20F (-8 C) degrees Be sure to include a correctly sized compression stuff sack.
TREKKING PACK (OPTIONAL)
A small, simple pack of approximately 35-40 liters. Useful for the trek into basecamp.
FOAM PAD
This pad should be either 3/4 or body length. Cut pieces of closed cell foam or industrially-crafted pads are both acceptable.
EXPEDITION DUFFEL BAG
An approximately 150-liter expedition-ready duffel bag used to transport all gear.
PERSONAL EQUIPMENT
SUNSCREEN
Several 1-2 ounce tubes of SPF 30+ sunscreen. Zinc-oxide added versions are preferred. One ounce is typically sufficient per week, but several tubes. Sunscreen loses SPF rating over time; we strongly recommend brand-new sunscreen.
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.).
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
One set of chemical water treatment drops or tablets. We recommend AquaMira. Lightweight Steri-Pens with extra batteries can suffice, but do not work well in the event of very cold conditions. Be sure your system will be sufficient for the entire duration of your trip- some packages of tablets treat only a very small amount of water! As a general guideline, allow for 4-6 liters of water per day when treating water is necessary.
PEE BOTTLE
A wide-mouthed 1 or 1.5-liter bottle, for use overnight.
LIPSCREEN
Several tubes of SPF 30+ lipscreen. As with sunscreen, be sure your lipscreen is new. Recommended: Aloe Gator Medicated 30 SPF Lip Balm.
HAND SANITIZER
Many alcohol-based hand sanitizers will work well. Bring a small amount appropriate to the duration of the trip.
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.
WATER BOTTLES
Two to three 1-litre capacity bottles or HYDRATION RESERVOIR (2 or 3 liter capacity)
Bottles should be wide mouth made of copolyester (BPA free plastic).
HEADLAMP
A modern outdoor LED headlamp offering 90-200 lumens of output. Fresh, installed batteries plus spare batteries. Weather-resistant models are strongly preferred.
OPTIONAL ITEMS
CAMERA
Small point-and-shoot cameras (including compact SLR’s) are ideal & work well at altitude. Alternatively, many opt to use a smartphone camera. Due to weight & care in the mountain environment, large dSLR cameras are discouraged.
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.
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.
TRAVEL CLOTHES
Clean ‘town’ clothing is recommend for use traveling as well as pre-and-post trip. We recommend bringing a comfortable variety of clothing for peace of mind, including some t-shirts, and swimsuit.
TRAVEL POWER ADAPTER
WE recommend that you bring approximately 12 energy food items, like bars, Gu packets, etc.
PEE FUNNEL (FOR WOMEN)
If you bring it, we recommend having practiced with it beforehand.
EARPLUGS
We recommend bringing several pairs of disposable foam earplugs to help you sleep; these are especially important on windy nights.