Aconcagua gear list: all you need for summit success

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

• SPECIALIST GEAR
• COMPLETE GEAR LIST
  • EQUIPMENT
  • CLOTHING
  • TOILETRIES & MEDICATION
  • ELECTRONICS
  • DOCUMENTATION

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. If you’re based in the US, then we recommend REI.

Atlas & BOots

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.

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. Read our article on how to layer clothing for more information.

I took four pairs of gloves from Black Diamond to Aconcagua including a liner, a 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.

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.

Atlas & BOots

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. They have now been discontinued, so I recommend a large base camp duffel by The North Face instead. During the expedition, it was loaded onto mules and taken to base camp.

Atlas & BOots

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.

Atlas & BOots

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.

Atlas & BOots

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.

Atlas & BOots

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.

equipment

• 1 x backpack (80l+) – read our guide on how to choose a backpack
• 1 x duffel bag/holdall (100l)
• 1 x sleeping bag (four-season /rated to minimum -10°C/14°F)
• 1 x inflatable pillow
• 1 x foam sleeping pad
• 1 x inflatable sleeping pad
• 1 x trekking poles
• 1 x crampons
• 1 x gaiters
• 1 x helmet
• 1 x waterproof backpack cover
• 1 x hydration pack or bladder (optional, but I definitely recommend taking one)
• 3 x 1lt Nalgene water bottle
• 1 x thermos (1l)
• 8 x hand warmers
• Waterproof liners / dry sacks
• Whistle
• Spare bootlaces
• Bowl, mug, knife, fork & spoon
• Compass & map

Clothing

• 1 x hiking boots (worn frequently prior to departure)
• 1 x mountaineering double-layer boots
• 1 x down booties (for around camp)
• 4-5 x breathable underwear
• 2 x liner socks
• 4-5 x trekking socks
• 2 x heavy mountaineering socks
• 2 x base layer bottoms
• 2-3 x hiking trousers
• 1 x softshell trousers
• 1 x waterproof trousers
• 2 x base layer tops
• 1 x long-sleeve mid layer/fleece
• 1 x light down jacket
• 1 x down jacket – read our guide on how to choose a down jacket
• 1 x waterproof jacket/shell – read our guide on how to choose a waterproof jacket
• 1 x cap or sunhat
• 1 x neck buff
• 1 x fleece neck col
• 1 x balaclava
• 1 x beanie or warm hat
• 1 x ski goggles
• 1 x sunglasses
• 1 x liner glove
• 1 x all-purpose midweight glove
• 1 x warm gloves (ideally waterproof/mountaineering)
• 1 x mountaineering mittens
• Sleepwear (I wore woollen base layers)

Toiletries & medication

Every climber should carry a personal first aid kit on them at all times. Try to use biodegradable toiletries in the mountains.

• Energy gel and/or snacks
• Sunscreen (SPF 40+)
• Lip balm (SPF 30+)
• Soap (biodegradable)
• Coin tissues
• Lightweight travel towel
• Toothbrush and toothpaste
• Roll-on deodorant
• Toilet roll/tissue
• Antibacterial wipes (biodegradable)
• Hand sanitiser
• Imodium (or similar diarrhoea medication)
• Ibuprofen
• Paracetamol
• Antiseptic cream
• Plasters / Band-Aid
• Compeed (blister treatment)
• Electrolyte tablets
• Diamox – for altitude sickness (optional – I prefer not to use it, but many do)
• Water purification tablets (50l +)
• Any additional prescription drugs you may be taking

Electronics

All of these apart from the head torch are optional. Everyone I climbed with at least carried a smartphone for their summit shots.

• Head torch
• Smartphone and charger
• Power bank
• Solar charger
• USB and power cables
• DSLR camera with spare batteries
• GoPro Hero7 and spare batteries
• Lightweight mini-tripod

Documentation

• Passport + photocopies
• Spare passport photos
• Insurance certificate and details
• Flight information
• Visa information if required
• Spending money (allow $100 USD for tips)

---

Enjoyed this post? pin it for later…

---

Lead image: Atlas & Boots