Aconcagua Climb
The following checklist should help you with your packing. As a general rule, you should always try to keep the weight of your equipment to a minimum.
You must bring the following items:
Hiking boots
Mountaineering double boots - see below
Ice axe
Crampons (with ‘step-in’ bindings)
Ski goggles
Gaiters
Socks
Trekking trousers / pants
Waterproof and breathable over-trousers / rain-pants
Underwear
Long johns (thermal underwear)
Thermal baselayer shirts
Shirts or T-shirts
Fleece jacket
Waterproof and windproof jacket with hood
Warm jacket (down)
Sunhat
Fleece hat and thermal balaclava
Eyewear – Sunglasses
Inner thermal gloves
Insulated outer gloves or mittens
Waterproof over mittens
Sleeping bag rated to minus 30 degrees C
Sleeping bag liner
Thermarest or similar sleeping mat
Plastic bowl
Plastic mug
Spoon
Backpack - minimum 70 litres (see below)
Small daypack – for the trek to base camp
Headtorch / headlamp with batteries
Sun protection (including total bloc for lips, nose etc.)
Water bottles. Take 4 x 1litre (1 quart) 'Nalgene' bottles Washbag and toiletries
Antibacterial handwash
Small towel
Selection of dry bags (to keep trek bag contents dry)
Basic First Aid Kit including Antiseptic cream, throat lozenges, diarrhoea treatment (Imodium) painkillers, altitude (Diamox), plasters and blister treatment, and re-hydration salts (Dioralite).
Small padlock (to lock your KE trek bag)
Mountaineering boots required for this trip
You will need high altitude double boots for this trip. Climbing at altitudes of over 6000 metres, the temperatures can be very cold (as low as minus 30 degrees centigrade) and there is less oxygen in the blood to cope with these conditions. Single boots are really not suitable for these cold, high conditions. Most double boots consist of a plastic outer shell and an inner boot which may be a synthetic or leather construction. Scarpa Vega is an example of a good all-round plastic boot. The Scarpa Spantik is an excellent alternative to a plastic boot, where the outer boot is constructed from modern synthetic materials. You must make sure that you are suitably equipped for these extremely low temperatures.
Backpack required for this trip
While on the mountain we employ Argentinean guides to carry the group’s tents, stoves and fuel. You will be required to carry all of your personal equipment including your sleeping bag and camping mattress, and a proportion of the group’s food. To do this you will need a large (minimum 70 litre / 4300 cu. in.) backpack suitable for your size (or with adjustable back system) which is designed for load carrying with a comfortable hip belt. During the 3-day trek up to the base camp we use mules to transport all baggage and you will need to bring a small daypack to carry those things you need during the day while the rest of your equipment is packed into your backpack for transfer by mule.
The following items are optional:
Fleece trousers
Neoprene facemask
Trainers / sneakers or similar for camp use
Spare laces
Trekking poles
Swimwear (for the hotel pool)
Travel clothes
Pocket-knife (note: always pack sharp objects in hold baggage)
Repair kit – (eg. needle, thread, duct tape)
Camera, media, batteries
Pee bottle
Mountaineering Equipment
Please note that under ‘normal’ conditions found on Aconcagua crampons and ice axes will not used during the ascent. However, it is entirely possible that prevailing conditions may mean that no attempt can be made without these items. We therefore require clients to have this equipment though some or all of it may be left at the base camp or at a higher camp, according to the discretion of the guides. Everyone needs to bring a pair of ski goggles or visor as protection against the wind.
PHD Gear Advisor
PHD specialise in cold weather equipment, from the world’s lightest right up to the most protective for Everest or the Poles. It’s a large range. So to help you choose what you need to keep you warm, PHD have listed the gear that is appropriate for this expedition.
http://www.phdesigns.co.uk/gearadviser/destination.php?destinations_id=8
Needle Sports (specialist mountaineering equipment shop)
Needle Sports is the English Lake District's foremost specialist climbing shop supplying mountaineering, rock, ice, alpine and expedition equipment worldwide. Internationally recognised as among the very best of the UK's top technical climbing gear retailers. They have a good range of equipment appropriate for this trip and offer knowledgeable advice both on their website and in store.
