Aconcagua Climbing - Equipment List
EquipmentRental Precautions
It is possible to rent most of the climbing equipment in Mendoza. However, we highly recommend contacting one of the rental stores below before the climb to make sure they have exactly what is need and the right size. For non-technical routes, if you plan on renting most of your equipment, we highly suggest arriving one day earlier (outside of the scheduled dates) so that you will have enough time to choose the best rental options. Our guides will personally assist you while renting equipment.For Polish Glacier Technical Routes: Polish Glacier Direct and Polish Glacier Normal RouteIt is imperative for the Polish Glacier's technical routes that you have your own plastic boots and gear. Due to the strenuous nature of the route, it is expected that all clients be familiar with their equipment and comfortable in their plastic boots. Some odds and ends can be purchased in Mendoza, but important technical gear and clothing should be purchased ahead of time in your local area. By purchasing and testing your gear ahead of time, you will be more prepared for the glacier and you will have sufficient knowledge of what works best for you.Some Recommended Rental Shops in MendozaPierbon
Suipacha 435 PB-(5500)-Capital Mendoza
Argentina
Tel/Fax 54-4256719
E-mail:info@pierbonmountain.com.ar
Web: http://pierobonmountain.com.arCASA ORVIZ
Juan B Justo 532
Mendoza, Argentina
Tel. / Fax 0054 261 4251281 5500
http://www.orviz.com
E-mail: info@orviz.com
E-mail: orviz@lanet.com.ar
(emails in English okay)
MounTrek
107 Sarmiento St.
Mendoza, Argentina
Tel. 54-261 429 3220
E-mail: ski@piremont.com.arAlso, here are some excellent websites we recommend for high altitude gear: Alaska Mountaineering and Hiking
http://www.alaskamountaineering.com
Mountain Gear
http://www.mgear.comLuggage Storage
If you wish to leave personal belongings that you will not need during the expedition, you can do so at the hotel in Mendoza and the hotel in Uspallata. Also, be sure to leave clean clothes and bathroom supplies in Uspallata so that you can take a shower after the climb.Gear List(Download a printable PDF of this Gear List)Clothing
Lightweight Long Underwear (tops and bottoms)
Lightweight Long Underwear (tops and bottoms)
Expedition Weight Long Underwear (tops and bottoms) Polypropylene or Capilene. No Cotton!! We recommend Patagonia Capilene.
Fleece Jacket (synthetic or fleece). We recommend the Mountain Hardwear Monkey Jacket or the North Face Denali Jacket, and Micro Puff Patagonia.
Insulated pants. We recommend Micro Puff Patagonia.
Fleece pants. We recommend pants with full separating side zippers to allow for easy accessibility and effective ventilation. Patagonia’s Micro Puff Pant with zippers is also an excellent pant and is lighter than fleece.
Expedition Parka (down with hood) It needs to fit over all insulation layers. For the Polish Glacier technical routes, make sure that your climbing helmet will fit under the hood. Must be at least 800 fill. We recommend Marmot 8000 meter and Mountain Hardwear Sub-Zero Parka.
Jacket. Waterproof/windproof/breathable. Good storm-proof mountain jacket with attached hood Gore-tex. For technical routes, make sure the helmet fits under the hood.
Gore-tex climbing pants with side zippers.
Rain Pants. Waterproof
Short trousers. For hike in to base camp.
T-shirtsHeadgear
Sun hat. Sun hat with good visor and white bandana for protecting neck.
Balaclava.
Wool or pile ski hat.Face Buff
Headlamp (spare bulbs & batteries). We suggest Black Diamond Icon
Glacier glasses. 100% UV, must have side covers. If you wear contact lenses or glasses, we recommend packing a spare pair of glasses.
Neck Gator
Nose Cover. NozKon nose protectorHelmet (Polish Glacier Only)
GogglesHands
Synthetic gloves. Two pair lightweight, pile or polypropylene.
Mittens: Insulated Overmitts with removable liners: One pair. Fleece mitten liner should be thick. Overmitts should also fit with gloves.
Anti-bacterial soap for cleaning hands before meals.
Technical gloves. We recommend Black Diamond Guide glove. Footwear
Light hiking boots or trekking shoes.
Climbing boots . We recommend La Sportiva Spantik and La Sportiva Mons Evo. Should fit comfortably with sock combination and have plenty of wiggle room in the toe. Heel should not lift more than inch when walking. Kick the toe of the boot against a wooden post and your toes should not hit the end of the boot until 3rd hit. Single leather boots are not recommend and the Aconcagua Park Service reserves the right to deny access to climbers who are wearing leather boots past basecamp.*If you have really cold feet we recommend Thermo fit liners Denali liners or insulated super gators. Gaiters. Gore-Tex + Cordura. We suggest Outdoor Research Crocodiles. Make sure they will fit over the climbing boots, not just hiking boots.
Three pairs cold weather wool socks. Expedition-weight wool or woolen blend. We recommend Smart wool.
Two pairs of liner socks. Smooth wool, nylon or polypropylene to be worn next to the skin. This reduces blisters and hot-spots.
Sandals/sneakers. For crossing rivers and for comfort at base camp. We recommend cheap sneakers.
Foot PowderClimbing Equipment
Ice axe. General mountaineering tool. We recommend Grivel. A lightweight ice axe is ideal.
Crampons (Step-in Bindings) with Anti-Bott Plates. We recommend Black Diamond Strap On
Trekking Poles. One pair collapsible. For Polish Glacier Technical Routes
2 locking caribiners (pear shape)
1 ice screw 22 cm. We recommend Black Diamond.
1 picket with 48 inch runner
2 caribiners -1 locking (any type)
30 feet 6mm perlon for prussiks and ice leash
Helmut (with attachments for headlamp)
1 technical ice tool
1 general mountaineering ice axe 1 Harness: We recommend Black Diamond Bod. Must have leg loops. Make sure it fits with lots of clothing. Camping
Internal Frame Backpack (at least 5,000 cu.in.) Must have ice axe haul loops and crampon attachment point.
Recommended: The North Face, Lowe Alpine, Greggory,and Dana Designs.
Daypack
Sleeping bag. Expedition quality (High Quality only:650-700cu. Down fill.). Temperature rating : 0 to -15F. For those who tend to sleep cold we recommend -15F.
Compression sack for sleeping bag.
Ridge Rest sleeping pad. One full length foam
Thermal rest pad. One 3/4 length with repair kit
Pocket knife. Swiss army knife or Leatherman tool
Three one-liter water bottles. With full 2 inch opening.
Two insulated water bottle holders
Pee bottle
Pee Funnel (for women). Suggested: Freshette. Or, if you can pee in a liter bottle without a hassle, label the bottle and use that.
Sunscreen SPF 30-40
Zinc-Oxide. Extra protection for Noses and lips
Lipscreen SPF 20-40, at least 2 sticks
Personal first aid kit. Incld. Moleskin, tape, diarrhea medicine, asprin, and ibprofin. Simple and light
Camel Pac for water. These have a tendency to freeze at high altitudes but they are great for the hike into base camp.
Teabags: When at altitude, eyes and faces tend to get puffy and sometimes at night there is nothing more rewarding than placing warm Chamomile tea bags over your eyelids. It also helps with relaxation.
Plate, cup, bowl, spoon, fork, and knife (only for camping past base camp).
Cigarette lighter
Ear plugs
Whistle (with neckless string/rope)
Toilet paper (enough for all high camps and trekking throughout the day)WatchNylon Cord: 15 ft. for miscellaneous use e.g. Boots laces, repairs, etc. Traveling
One large duffel bag with lock for transporting gear. Should be large enough to hold your fully packed internal frame pack inside as well as other equipment. We recommend Eagle Creek XXL Expedition bag.
2 smaller duffels with lock (to store excess gear in the hotels).
One ultra light stuff sack (ideally waterproof) for cache supplies at higher camp
Three locks for duffel bags. Please get a combination lock so you will not have to worry about losing keys.
2 compact plastic bags. To line stuff sacks to keep gear dry. Also, we will use these for caches for higher camp. We suggest Compactor bags because of their strength.
Travel clothes
Toiletry bag (toothpaste, toothbrush, soap, etc. include small towel)
Camera gear (optional)Misc.
Plastic Zip Lock bags for items that have a tendency to spill or become punctured (like tooth paste).
Book - Lightweight pleasure reading
Guides will have GPS, compass, radio, etc. Bring your altimeter and compass if you would like.
Notebook, pens, and pencils
Spanish-English Dictionary
Vitamins
Water tablets for 15 days (five liters per day). You will be in charge of treating your own water. Please bring extra tablets.(2)Two liter Water BottlesBooties for high camps
Thermos (1.5 liters for hot drinks)
Hand sanitizer (very important)
Toilet paper
Anti-diarrhea pills
MP3 player
Lithium Batteries for headlamp
Crazy Creek chair (optional) FoodMeals
We will prepare all meals during the climb. If there is food that you've enjoyed enormously while camping at high altitude, and you are unsure whether or not you will be able to buy it in Mendoza, please send us an e-mail (info@southamericanclimbing.com) and we will purchase it ahead of time. Trekking Snacks
You will need to bring enough for 14 days and also enough to provide comfort every hour. We will provide all meals and some snacks. Please try to imagine eating 4000 calories per day. This is difficult at altitude for most. Buy snack food with lots of calories. Please, no Power Bars (for high altitude). They freeze at altitude and they are hard on the stomach. It is possible to buy snack food in Mendoza. Weight Requirements
All duffle bags that will be placed on a mule need to be less than 30kg/65 lbs. Each mule carries to (30 kg/ 65 lbs) on each side. Each person is allowed 30 kg/ 65 lbs in weight. Download a printable PDF version of our Equipment List