Aconcagua gear checklist: all you want for summit success

Our full Aconcagua gear checklist contains every little thing 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 just lately returned from climbing Aconcagua with Acomara Aconcagua Expeditions. An excellent trekking firm will difficulty you with an in depth equipment checklist, however I at all times prefer to see what different individuals have used.

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

Aconcagua gear checklist contents

I had a lot of the gear beforehand however there have been some specialist gadgets I wanted. I purchase practically all my out of doors gear from Cotswold Outside. It’s by far the perfect out of doors store within the UK.

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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 smooth 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 (much like Lowa’s traditional Renegade). However greater up, notably on summit day, double boots are important.

Heat clothes can be important. Out of your base layer to your down jacket, it’s price investing in the precise gear for the precise surroundings. For summit day, a 700+ fill energy down jacket is crucial together with prime and backside waterproof shells.

Woollen base layers are splendid, notably Merino wool. Merino affords very good breathability and moisture-wicking and customarily offers with odours higher than polyester or nylon options.

I took a number of woollen merchandise from Smartwool and a few mountain climbing socks from 1000Mile. Learn our article on methods to layer clothes for extra info.

I took 4 pairs of gloves from Black Diamond to Aconcagua together with a liner, 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 embody 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, not less than 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. 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 may well 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 perform in chilly temperatures. The Powergorilla can cost units as much as 24Volts (similar to a laptop computer). I used the photo voltaic charger most days because it was dependable sufficient to cost my smaller units.

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

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It’s potential to hire most gadgets on my Aconcagua gear checklist on arrival in Mendoza. Nevertheless, it’s cheaper in the long term to purchase your individual gear and it’s additionally higher to have examined every little thing beforehand, notably in terms of footwear and clothes.

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

• Vitality 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 therapy)
• Electrolyte tablets
• Diamox – for altitude illness (elective – I favor to not use it, however many do)
• Water purification tablets (50l +)
• Any extra prescribed drugs you might be taking

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

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