Aconcagua Gear List

Backpack
- Mountain Hardwear AMG 105 Backpack - a great backpack for carrying heavy loads. Dismal when used as a day pack. The backpack does compress significantly, but without weight, the backpack's rigidness makes it feel like you have plywood strapped to your back.
- I ultimately ditched the 26-liter Mountain Hardwear backpack and just used the AMG 105. Not a great move.
Sleep System
- Rab 1000 -20 Degree Sleeping Bag - I was largely happy with this bag, although I was pretty cold sleeping at Camps 2 and 3.
- NEMO Fillow - super happy with this.
- NEMO Sleeping Pad - worked great.
- Egg Carton Pad - standard.
Equipment
- Black Diamond Helmet - this helmet was fine, but I'd recommend trying any helmet for a few hours both with and without a ski cap under to see how it actually works for you.
- Black Diamond Trekking Poles - appreciated the lightweight carbon poles.
- Black Diamond Raven Ice Axe - standard mountaineering axe.
- Black Diamond Semi-automatic Sabretooth Crampons - my only complaint with these crampons is the short strap. Buckling the strap over my La Sportiva G2 Evo's was really challenging, especially with gloves on.
- Outdoor Research SG Waterbottle Parka - worked well
- Goal Zero 10 Watt Solar Panel - lightweight and super easy to use.
- Goal Zero Battery - worked fine. It has both USB and USB-C's on it, and they're covered by a rubber flap when not in use.
- SteriPen Adventurer Opti - great water purification stick. Didn't get sick.
Clothes
- Arcteryx Alpha SV (not the shell shown in the picture) - fantastic jacket. Pocket placement is excellent for when you're wearing a backpack or harness.
- North Face Expedition Parka - crazy warm.
- Rab Mythic G - I'd go with a synthetic insulation layer instead. I accidentally sweated through this during our gear carry, and it lost nearly all its warmth.
- North Face Torre Egger Softshell - extremely lightweight and stretchy softshell. This worked well for me, but Arcteryx Gamma jackets feel a lot more durable.
- Rab Insulated Pants - did the job.
- Mountain Hardwear Hardshell Pants - great hardshell.
- Rab Softshell Pants - these are comfortable pants, but I managed to rip a seam on my second or third day of use.
- Rab Trekking Pants - good lightweight trekking pants, but would be better if they had belt loops.
- Patagonia R1 Grid Fleece - warm, light layer.
Gloves
- Marmot 8000 Meter Mittens - these gloves are terrible. It was next to impossible to grab anything with these gloves on. The inner glove annoying separates your index fingers from your other fingers, and when you try to grab anything, the inner glove slides along the other shell, so you basically just make a fist and lose all dexterity.
- Black Diamond Guide Gloves - really solid gloves. I wound up ditching my 8000 meter mitts for these half way through summit day.
- Arc'Teryx Softshell Gloves - these were my primary gloves until we reached Camp 3.
- Leather Gardening Gloves - cheap, simple, durable. Great for setting up camp, including moving rocks around.
- New Balance Running Gloves (used as liners)
Shoes
- La Sportiva G2 Evo - my feet were warm the entire expedition. I generally wear a size 12 and went with 47 on these. 46.5 would have probably been a better fit.
- La Sportiva Approach Shoe - great shoe.
- North Face Bootie - these were ok for Aconcagua, but camp booties that cover your ankles would be better.
- Crocs - I brought these for the Vacas River crossing and would not recommend them. The hole are large enough for rocks to enter, but small enough that its difficult to shake them out. Tevas are a better option.
Head/Neck Gear
- REI Beanie - this was fine but didn't fit very well under my BD helmet.
- Patagonia Buff - excellent, and wore it throughout the expedition.
- Turtle Fur Buff - good but hard to breathe through.
- Smartwool Balaclava - relatively breathable. I wore this on summit day.