How I am Packing for South Americas Highest Mountain - Aconcagua
Aconcagua - The first of the 7 summits that I will be attempting. With that comes a lot of nerves, but mostly excitement. As I prepare to leave for Argentina, where Aconcagua is located, I thought I would share how someone gets ready for a fairly major expedition like this.
Packing:
Aconcagua is a unique mountain in the sense that during the main climbing season (December/January) it is summer time and the base of the mountain can reach temperatures as high as 40c and yet at the summit during those same months can see temperatures as low as -30c. This means that you have to pack for essential all weather types, which in tern means a lot of stuff. To break it down I will explain what I pack for the approach (hotter climates) and the summits push (colder climates).
Approach:
For the approach I am focusing on clothes that will keep me as cool as possible. T-shirt, trekking shorts, a sun hat, SPF are basically what I will living in for our trek up through the lower camps. I will also be bringing a water bladder for this portion as I want to make sure I have access to all the water I need to be hydrated for a successful climb. Another important, and maybe surprising item for the approach is a Buff (face cover). If you are wondering why you need this when the weather is so hot, its because with such warm temperatures, the air is extremely dry. The buff gives you 2 different defences. One, it locks in moisture and prevents you from getting a treacherous cough, and two, it keeps all the dust out of your mouth as the mountain is also quite windy. I bring a pair of trekking pants for the mornings and evenings, and for maybe some cooler days. Trekking poles are also a must as the terrain is pretty rocky and unstable.
Summit Push:
As you get into the higher camps and start pushing for the summit, you will need to start implementing a bit more of a layering system. Starting from my base layers which I always opt for merino wool. I love the Smartwool brand, but MEC does have some of their own brand that makes great base layers that may be more affordable. For the merino base layers I always have at least one pair of long johns, at least one long sleeve top, merino socks and a merino ear band. For my mid layers, I will bring a fleece long sleeve and a fleece vest, down insulated pants and a down insulated hooded jacket. These are so essential for staying warm. Especially when taking rest stops, as soon as you stop moving you can cool down pretty quickly. On that note, I think its important to mention the moisture wicking capabilities. As I mentioned, theres a lot of wind on the mountain, and wind and moisture in the back country can turn dangerous. You want to make sure you have warm equipment that will keep you dry, but also dry quickly. Finally a pack my top layers, a hardshell gore-tex jacket and pants to block wind and seal in the warmth.
Footwear:
May be some of the most important items when on the mountain. The majority of people who do not complete this mountain is because of cold and blistered feet. On this trip, I will be bringing 3 key footwear. The first being my trekking boots. You can opt for trail running shoes, but I love my hiking books and they are so comfortable I prefer them anyways. I wear Oboz for anyone wondering. I will also be bringing a pair of Crocs, I will wear these around camp and for river crossings. The final pair of shoes I bring are my mountaineering boots. These are a double boot with a soft inner lining and a hard plastic exterior that has the inserts for wearing my crampons. I do bring an extra pair of down bootie slippers. I love these for cooler nights around camp and in the tent if my feet are getting cold. The final thing for the feet are socks. Making sure you have the right socks can make all the difference, and most people save their best pair of socks only for the summit day.
Other things I am bringing are:
-Helmet
-Crampons
-Nalgene bottles
-Headlamp
-Toque and mitts
-Expedition Gloves
-70L backpack
-30L backpack
-Duffle bags for carrying gear
-Factor 4 Glacier glasses/Snow goggles
-Garmin Inreach Mini 2
-Solar charger
Thanks to everyone who has been supporting me as I prepare for this expedition! I will be posting another update once I have arrived in Mendoza on December 30th!
