Aconcagua gear list: all you need for summit success | Atlas & Boots

By wazup on September 1, 2024 Comments Closed / 32 views

Our complete Aconcagua gear list includes everything you’ll need to summit the highest mountain in the Western and Southern Hemispheres

Aconcagua in Argentina, at 6,961m (22,837ft), is South America’s highest mountain and one of the seven summits (the seven peaks that make up the highest point on every continent).

I recently returned from climbing Aconcagua with Acomara Aconcagua Expeditions. A good trekking company will issue you with a detailed kit list, but I always like to see what other people have used.

As such, I thought it would be helpful to share my complete Aconcagua gear list for future climbers to use as a reference.

Aconcagua gear list contents

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Specialist gear

I had most of the gear beforehand but there were some specialist items I needed. I buy nearly all my outdoor equipment from Cotswold Outdoor. It’s by far the best outdoor shop in the UK.

aconcagua-gear-list-mountaineering-boots-2 — Atlas & Boots

walking boots for K2 base camp gear list — Atlas & Boots

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Mountaineering and hiking boots are required for Aconcagua

Double or plastic mountaineering boots (made up of a hard exterior plastic shell and an interior soft bootie) and appropriate crampons are required for a mountain of this height.

Regular hiking boots can be worn for the trek in, acclimatisation hikes and in between the lower camps – I wore my lightweight Keen boots (similar to Lowa’s classic Renegade). But higher up, particularly on summit day, double boots are essential.

Atlas & Boots On the summit of Aconcagua in my down jacket

Warm clothing is also vital. From your base layer to your down jacket, it’s worth investing in the right gear for the right environment. For summit day, a 700+ fill power down jacket is essential along with top and bottom waterproof shells.

Woollen base layers are ideal, particularly Merino wool. Merino offers superb breathability and moisture-wicking and generally deals with odours better than polyester or nylon alternatives.

I took several woollen products from Smartwool and some hiking socks from 1000Mile. Read our article on how to layer clothing for more information.

My collection of Smartwool kit — Atlas & Boots My Smartwool kit

I took four pairs of gloves from Black Diamond to Aconcagua including a liner, mid-layer wool liner, a waterproof glove and mountain mittens. I used the mid-layer wool liner most days, the waterproofs at the higher camps and the mittens and liners for summit day.

Black Diamond gloves — Atlas & Boots My Black Diamond mittens and mid-layer wool liners

Other essentials include a four-season sleeping bag, a comfortable camping mattress, ski goggles (I recommend Bloc for goggles and sunglasses), a helmet, thick mountaineering socks, at least three Nalgene bottles (two for water and one for pee) and trekking poles.

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Ski goggles from Bloc

Finally, you will need something to put it all in. I used a Jack Wolfskin 100l duffel as checked luggage on my flight. During the expedition, it was loaded onto mules and taken to base camp.

Aconcagua gear list — Atlas & Boots I use an 85l Osprey expedition backpack on longer trips

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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 large and comfortable enough for the high camp carries and could easily be packed down and used as a day pack throughout the rest of the climb. The removable lid also means it can compress further and be used as carry-on luggage during flights.

I took a few luxuries with me for the climb including a pair of Haglöfs down booties to wear around camp. It was a real treat to change into something comfortable, but still warm, in the evenings after a long day on the trail.

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My down booties were a real luxury when not trekking

I carry a fair amount of electronics on treks and climbs including two cameras and a smartphone. All of these need juice, so a reliable power bank and solar charger make life easier. I packed a PowerTraveller power bank and a solar charger.

Both still function in cold temperatures. The Powergorilla can charge devices up to 24Volts (such as a laptop). I used the solar charger most days as it was reliable enough to charge my smaller devices.

Aconcagua gear list power bank — Atlas & Boots Charging gadgets at base camp

Aconcagua gear list solar charger — Atlas & Boots Charging gadgets at base camp

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I used a power bank and solar charger from PowerTraveller

Complete Aconcagua gear list

The Aconcagua gear list below comprises everything I packed for the climb. Some electronics and toiletries are optional, but most items are essential unless otherwise stated. Where possible, I’ve included links to the gear I packed.

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It is possible to rent most items on my Aconcagua gear list on arrival in Mendoza. However, it’s cheaper in the long run to buy your own gear and it’s also better to have tested everything beforehand, particularly when it comes to footwear and clothing.