Aconcagua Expeditions

Equipment List

Climbing Gear Ice axe. This must be a classic mountaineering axe (piolet) with simple leash. Avoid technical ice climbing tools. Look for a light one. Guide's pick: Black Diamond Raven Ice Axe. Crampons. With straps or combination heel bail-straps works the best. Avoid aluminum crampons. Guide's picks: Black Diamond Sabretooth, Petzl Vasak. Trekking poles. Adjustable. Feet Hiking boots or shoes. Used for approach and sometimes during carries to high camps. Good fit, cushion and support is required. Comfortable trail running shoes are a great choice. Guide's picks: La Sportiva Crossleather, Five Ten Insight, La Sportiva FC. Sandals. For river crossings and base camp hot days. Double boots. First quality high altitude boots. Could be plastic, composite, or leather. Just be sure they're specially made for the colder temperatures. Guide's pick: La Sportiva Spantik, Asolo Base Camp GV. Gaiters. Expedition style. Insulated ones are optional; just don't get gaiters with neoprene soles. Guide's pick: Black Diamond Apex. Liner socks. 3 pairs. Capilene or lightweight wool. They should fit well with your thicker socks. Expedition weight socks. 3 pairs. Wool or synthetic, with padded shins they feel great. Down booties (optional). Great choice to wear inside the tent. Guide's pick: Big Agnes Mountain Booties. Lower body Midweight underwear bottoms. 1 pair. Synthetic or wool. Guide's pick: Mammut All Year Pants, Patagonia Merino 2 Bottoms. Soft Shell pants. Best choice as climbing, approaching and layering pant. Guide's picks: Mammut Glacier Pants, Patagonia Alpine Guide Pants. Arcteryx Gamma AR Pants. Hard Shell Pants. Fully zipped. Look for lightweight. Guide's picks: Mammut Convey Pants, Arcteryx Beta LT Pant. Trekking pants. Synthetic or cotton, for basecamp and approach. Guide's picks: Mammut Cyclone, Patagonia Rock Guide, Arcteryx Rampart. Shorts (optional). For approach and base camp. Insulated pants (optional). A great extra layer for summit day and hanging out at the camps. Guide's picks: Patagonia Micro Puff Pants, Mountain Hardwear Compressor PL. Upper body Lightweight synthetic turtleneck. 2 pairs. Guide's picks: Mammut Zip All Year, Patagonia Capilene 2, Arcteryx RHO LT Zip. Expedition weight shirt. Guide's picks: Mammut Jasper Zip, Paragonia R1 Pullover. Soft shell hooded jacket. Ideally with a thin fleece interior so it works as a shell and also provides extra warmth. Guide's picks:, Arcteryx Gamma SV Hoody, Mountain Hardwear Mercurial, Marmot ROM Jacket, Mammut Ultimate Hoody. Ultralight hardshell. A light and easy to pack wind and weather shield, avoid thick Goretex. Guide's picks: Mammut Wing, Patagonia Houdini. Down parka with hood. Expedition style. Guide's picks: Marmot Greenland Baffled, Western Mountaineering Meltdown, Marmot 8000 Parka. Synthetic Puffy pullover or jacket (optional). This works great for extra warmth on summit day and for camps. Guide's picks: Patagonia Nano Puff pullover, Montbell UL Thermarap. Cotton t-shirts. A couple for sleeping and hanging out at base camp. Head Sun hat or baseball cap. Synthetic works better. Warm hat. Wool or fleece. BalaclavaMidweight. Guide's picks: Patagonia R1, Mountain Hardwear Power Stretch. Neck gaiter. Fleece 100 to 200 for added warmth. BuffThis is strongly recommended for extra warmth and to cover our face and neck. Eyegear Sunglasses 2 pair. Go with glacier style ones, 100% UV, IR protection. Prescription glacier glasses are recommended if you use glasses. Ski Goggles. With maximum protection and low light transmition. They work great for windy days. Hands Light synthetic gloves. Capilene or similar, as a first layer. Fleece finger gloves. 100 to 200 fleece, better with windbloc. Insulated Finger Gloves.this works well for a not so cold summit day and other situations when mittens are not the best option. Guide's picks: Black Diamond Guide, Marmot Randonee. Expedition mittens. Wool, synthetic or down, big enough to use with your other gloves. Guide's pick: Black Diamond Absolute Mitt. Hand & Toe Warmers. 3 pairs of each. Personal equipment Down (reccomended) or synthetic sleeping bag. Should be at least -15¡ F. Good fit is really important for heating retention. Guide's picks: Mammut Ajungilak Sphere Winter, Marmot Col MemBrain, Montbell UL Super Spiral, Western Mountaineering Puma GWS. Foam Sleeping pad. Closed cell, full length, adds warmth and protects inflatable pad. Guide's pick: Thermarest Z Lite. Inflatable pad. 3/4 size should work, full length guarantees a better sleep. Light series are great combined with a foam pad. Include repair kit. Guide's picks: Mammut Light Pump, Thermarest ProLite Plus. Large backpack. 5000 to 6000 cu inches. Simple design, good fit. Guide's picks: Mammut Heron Pro, Arcteryx Bora 80, Gregory Palisade 80, Lowe Alpine TFX Cerro Torre. Daypack. For summit day and approach. As light as possible. Guide's picks: Black Diamond RPM, Mammut Lithium, Marmot Ultra Compressor. Compression Stuff Sacks. Makes packing easy and keep gear organized. Headlamp and spare batteries. LED small headlamps work well. Guide's picks: Black Diamond Spot, Mammut Lucido TR1, Petzl Tikka Plus. 2 water bottles. Wide mouth 1 liter Nalgene style. 1 thermos. 1 liter, compact. Sunscreen and lip protection. At least 30 SPF for both. Small first aid kit. Iclude ear plugs, tape, blisters kit (lots of moleskin), several Ibuprophen, acetaminophen or and/or tablets, personal medications. Pocket knife. Light and simple, Swiss style. Insulated cup, plastic bowl and spoon. Cup insulated and with lid. Lexan Spoon and bowl are light and durable. Optional items Book, notebook, pencil. Waterproof Rite'n the rain notebooks suggested. Avoid pen. IpodBring battery chargers. Having WiFi in Plaza de Mulas will allow you to use Skype with an Ipod touch or Iphone. Camera and film/usb cable. Extra care with dust. Small disposable works good. If digital, bring usb conection if you want to send pictures from basecamp. Shower items. Light towel, soap and shampoo for base camp. Hydratyng system. Highly recommended for approaching camps. This doesn't substitute the bottles listed above. Hand sanitizer. Pee bottle /Pee funnel (for women) Extra secure lid! Personal food treats. Favorite candy, jerky or other snacks. Personal energy supplies. Energy bars, Gatorade, Citomax, Gu, etc. Toiletry bag. Toothbrush, toothpaste, wipes, etc. Travel gear Large duffel bag. With lock. 7500+ cu in. Guide's picks: Mammut Cargon 110, Black Diamond Huey 100. Small duffel bag or carry-on. For leaving stuff at Hotel/office. Travel clothes. Mendoza's temperature could reach 90 degrees, so bring cool summer clothes. Polish Direct Route Only (Add the next items) Climbing Harness. With adjustable legs, look for something light. Guide's picks: Black Diamond Couloir, Mammut Alpine Light, Arcteryx A-300A. Ice climbing Tools. A hybrid pair of tools not too classic and not too technical are the ideal set for this climb. Guide's Picks: Black Diamond Venom, Petzl Summit. Climbing Helmet. Large enough to accommodate a thick warm hat. Guide's picks: Mammut Tripod, Black Diamond Tracer. Back to Aconcagua Normal Route Equipment List Trip Details Back to all South America & Europe Adventure Travel