Shop for Aconcagua
Located in the Andes mountain range within the province of Mendoza, Argentina, Aconcagua stands at 22,841 feet. Its height makes it the highest peak in the Americas. The first successful ascent was made by Edward FitzGerald in 1897. The two most popular routes to climb are the Polish Glacier Traverse route and the Normal route.
The following gear list is approved by our partner Rainier Mountaineering Inc. for its guided climbs of Aconcagua.
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Pack and Bag
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(2) Duffel Bag A 120+ liter bag made of tough material with rugged zippers.
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Backpack A 90+ liter pack is the recommended size for this climb. It is imperative that your backpack is large enough and tough enough to handle the load. A separate summit pack is not needed.
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Sleeping Bag A bag rated to 0° to -20° F. Either goose down or synthetic, with ample room for movement. Most guides prefer down, because it is lightweight and compactable. A waterproof bag is preferred, but not mandatory. The temperature rating system for sleeping bags is arbitrary and is not a guarantee of warmth. Base your selection on how well you do in the cold. If you tend to sleep on the cold side, choose a bag rated on the lower end of the temperature range. Using two sleeping bags together is not recommended.
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Compression Stuff Sack for Sleeping Bag
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Sleeping Pad - Inflatable A full-length inflatable pad.
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Sleeping Pad - Closed Foam A full-length or 3/4 length closed cell foam pad.
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Technical Gear
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Ice Axe The length of your axe depends on your height. Use the following general mountaineering formula: up to 5'8", use a 65 cm. axe; 5'8" to 6'2", use a 70 cm. axe; and taller, use a 75 cm. axe. If you hold the axe so that it hangs comfortably at your side, the spike of the axe should still be a few inches above the ground.
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Helmet A lightweight climbing helmet.
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Crampons The 10 to 12 point adjustable crampons designed for general mountaineering are ideal. Rigid frame crampons designed for technical ice climbing are not recommended. Carry any repair kit/replacement parts and adjusting tools which are specific to your crampons.
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Avalanche Transceiver A digital transceiver is preferred; analog will work as well.
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Trekking Poles Lightweight and collapsible.
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Head
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Warm Hat Wool or synthetic. It should be warm and thin enough to fit underneath a climbing helmet.
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Neck Gaiter / Balaclava
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Ball Cap or Sun Hat A lightweight ball cap or sun hat.
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Glacier Glasses A pair of dark-lensed sunglasses with side shields or full wrap-type sunglasses.
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Goggles Amber or rose-tinted goggles for adverse weather. Additionally, contact lens wearers may find a clear-lensed goggle very useful on windy nights.
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Headlamp
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Hands
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Light Weight Glove One pair of fleece gloves.
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Medium Weight Glove Wind/water resistant insulated mountain gloves.
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Heavy Weight Insulated Glove or Mitten Wind/water resistant, insulated gloves or mittens for protection against wind, snow and cold. These also serve as emergency back-ups if you drop or lose a glove.
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Upper Body
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(2) Light to Medium Weight Base Layer Long-sleeve wool or synthetic top will be used as your base layer. Zip-neck styles will allow for better temperature regulation.
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Light Insulating Layer A fleece or other insulation layer.
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Soft Shell Layer A windproof, water-resistant and highly breathable layer.
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Rain Shell Jacket A jacket made of rain/wind-proof material with an attached hood.
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Insulated Parka with Hood This item becomes of highest importance when we are faced with poor weather. This should be an expeditionary-type heavy parka that extends well below the waist and above the knees. Goose down is recommended versus synthetic fill. It does not have to be waterproof, but that is a nice feature. The parka is worn primarily at rest breaks on summit day and as an emergency garment if needed. When sizing a parka, allow for several layers to be worn underneath; buy it large. The parka must have an insulated hood.
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Non-Cotton Hiking Shirt (Optional) Lightweight, synthetic shirt with either long or short sleeves is nice for July and August. Long sleeve is preferred for sun protection.
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Lower Body
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(2-3) Pairs of Underwear Non-cotton boxers or briefs
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Light to Medium Weight Base Layer Light to medium weight wool or synthetic bottoms.
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Climbing Pant Synthetic climbing pants offer a wide range of versatility. You can wear them alone on hot days, or in combination with the base layer on cold days. The thickness (insulation quality) should be based on how well you do in the cold.
-
Rain Shell Pant A pant made of breathable rain and wind-proof material will be needed. Full-length side zippers are required for facilitating quick clothing adjustments over boots and crampons in cold, inclement weather.
-
Down or Synthetic Insulated Pant
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Light Weight Trekking Pant A lightweight, synthetic pair of pants is a good option for the approach trek when hiking at lower altitudes and in warm conditions. These pants have no insulation, are typically made of thin nylon, and commonly feature zippers to convert between pants and shorts.
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Feet
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Mountaineerineering Boots Hybrid boots are the preferred choice on Aconcagua. They provide the best insulation as well as a more rigid sole for kicking steps and holding crampons. Leather-only mountaineering boots are not recommended.
-
Hiking Boots A pair of lightweight boots for approaches and hiking on rugged terrain.
-
Gaiters A knee-length pair of gaiters, large enough to fit over your mountaineering boots. This will protect you from catching your crampons on loose clothing.
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(3) Climbing Socks Either wool or synthetic. Some people find liner socks useful for reducing friction.
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(2) Hiking Socks Lightweight hiking socks for the trek to Basecamp.
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Miscellaneous Items
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Lipscreen
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Sunscreen
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(2) Water Bottles One-quart water bottles are required. Wide mouth bottles are ideal since their opening is less likely to freeze.
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Insulated Water Bottle Cover These help prevent liquids from freezing. It should completely cover the bottle.
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Ear Plugs
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Toothpaste
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Baby Wipes
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Hand Sanitizer
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Toilet Paper
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Bowl
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Insulated Mug
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Spoon or Spork
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Pocketknife
-
Pack and Bag
-
Duffel Bag A 120+ liter bag made of tough material with rugged zippers.
-
Backpack A 90+ liter pack is the recommended size for this climb. It is imperative that your backpack is large enough and tough enough to handle the load. A separate summit pack is not needed.needed.
-
Sleeping Bag A bag rated to 0° to -20° F. Either goose down or synthetic, with ample room for movement. Most guides prefer down, because it is lightweight and compactable. A waterproof bag is preferred, but not mandatory. The temperature rating system for sleeping bags is arbitrary and is not a guarantee of warmth. Base your selection on how well you do in the cold. If you tend to sleep on the cold side, choose a bag rated on the lower end of the temperature range. Using two sleeping bags together is not recommended.
-
Compression Stuff Sack for Sleeping Bag
-
Sleeping Pad - Inflatable A full-length inflatable pad.
-
Sleeping Pad - Closed Foam A full-length or 3/4 length closed cell foam pad.
-
Technical Gear
-
Ice Axe The length of your axe depends on your height. Use the following general mountaineering formula: up to 5'8", use a 65 cm. axe; 5'8" to 6'2", use a 70 cm. axe; and taller, use a 75 cm. axe. If you hold the axe so that it hangs comfortably at your side, the spike of the axe should still be a few inches above the ground.
-
Helmet A lightweight climbing helmet.
-
Crampons The 10 to 12 point adjustable crampons designed for general mountaineering are ideal. Rigid frame crampons designed for technical ice climbing are not recommended. Carry any repair kit/replacement parts and adjusting tools which are specific to your crampons.
-
Avalanche Transceiver A digital transceiver is preferred; analog will work as well.
-
Trekking Poles Lightweight and collapsible.
-
Head
-
Warm Hat Wool or synthetic. It should be warm and thin enough to fit underneath a climbing helmet.
-
Neck Gaiter / Balaclava
-
Ball Cap or Sun Hat A lightweight ball cap or sun hat.
-
Buff or Bandana A buff or bandana provides good protection from the sun and dust as well as insulation from the cold, dry air.
-
Glacier Glasses A pair of dark-lensed sunglasses with side shields or full wrap-type sunglasses.
-
Goggles Amber or rose-tinted goggles for adverse weather. Additionally, contact lens wearers may find a clear-lensed goggle very useful on windy nights.
-
Headlamp
-
Hands
-
Light Weight Glove One pair of fleece gloves.
-
Medium Weight Glove Wind/water resistant insulated mountain gloves.
-
Heavy Weight Insulated Glove or Mitten Wind/water resistant, insulated gloves or mittens for protection against wind, snow and cold. These also serve as emergency back-ups if you drop or lose a glove.
-
Upper Body
-
(2) Light to Medium Weight Base Layer Long-sleeve wool or synthetic top will be used as your base layer. Zip-neck styles will allow for better temperature regulation.
-
Light Insulating Layer A fleece or other insulation layer.
-
Soft Shell Layer A windproof, water-resistant and highly breathable layer.
-
Rain Shell Jacket A jacket made of rain/wind-proof material with an attached hood.
-
Insulated Parka with Hood This item becomes of highest importance when we are faced with poor weather. This should be an expeditionary-type heavy parka that extends well below the waist and above the knees. Goose down is recommended versus synthetic fill. It does not have to be waterproof, but that is a nice feature. The parka is worn primarily at rest breaks on summit day and as an emergency garment if needed. When sizing a parka, allow for several layers to be worn underneath; buy it large. The parka must have an insulated hood.
-
Non-Cotton Hiking Shirt (Optional) Lightweight, synthetic shirt with either long or short sleeves is nice for July and August. Long sleeve is preferred for sun protection.
-
Lower Body
-
Light to Medium Weight Base Layer Light to medium weight wool or synthetic bottoms.
-
Climbing Pant Synthetic climbing pants offer a wide range of versatility. You can wear them alone on hot days, or in combination with the base layer on cold days. The thickness (insulation quality) should be based on how well you do in the cold.
-
Rain Shell Pant A pant made of breathable rain and wind-proof material will be needed. Full-length side zippers are required for facilitating quick clothing adjustments over boots and crampons in cold, inclement weather.
-
Down or Synthetic Insulated Pants
-
Light Weight Trekking Pant A lightweight, synthetic pair of pants is a good option for the approach trek when hiking at lower altitudes and in warm conditions. These pants have no insulation, are typically made of thin nylon, and commonly feature zippers to convert between pants and shorts.
-
Feet
-
Mountaineering Boots Hybrid boots are the preferred choice on Aconcagua. They provide the best insulation as well as a more rigid sole for kicking steps and holding crampons. Leather-only mountaineering boots are not recommended.
-
Hiking Boots A pair of lightweight boots for approaches and hiking on rugged terrain.
-
Gaiters A knee-length pair of gaiters, large enough to fit over your mountaineering boots. This will protect you from catching your crampons on loose clothing.
-
(3) Socks Either wool or synthetic. Some people find liner socks useful for reducing friction.
-
(2) Hiking Socks Lightweight hiking socks for the trek to Basecamp.
-
Miscellaneous Items
-
Lipscreen
-
Sunscreen
-
(2) Water Bottles One-quart water bottles are required. Wide mouth bottles are ideal since their opening is less likely to freeze.
-
Insulated Water Bottle Cover These help prevent liquids from freezing. It should completely cover the bottle.
-
Ear Plugs
-
Toothpaste
-
Baby Wipes
-
Hand Sanitizer
-
Toilet Paper
-
Bowl
-
Insulated Mug
-
Spoon or Spork
-
Pocketknife
Whittaker Mountaineering
Box W, 30027 SR 706E
Ashford WA 98304
PHONE 1.800.238.5756 FAX: 360.569.2982
STORE HOURS: Winter: 8-6, daily | Summer: 7-8, daily
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