Please read this list carefully. It is very important that every member arrives here for the expedition with the appropriate equipment. There are equipment stores here in Chile and Argentina, but it may be difficult to find what you’re looking for. Please e-mail your guide with any questions regarding the equipment list. This is a comprehensive list and should answer all of your questions. Upon arrival in Mendoza, and after you have checked into your hotel your guides will check your gear to make sure you have everything but, that you do not have not too much equipment.

Approach hike Whatever the trip you have chosen, the approach could be very hot and desert like. It could also be cold and windy or raining. For the approach we need to have the appropriate clothes for several different climates. Your guides will help you with the specifics.

Lightweight hiking boots, trekking shoes or sneakers. Be sure that you break them in before you start the trip.
2 pairs of socks.
Sandals, for hanging out in camp as well as for the river crossings. They are nice for walking around town too.
Sun hat
Long pants. If you have a synthetic pair, either nylon or schoeler they will be nice on the upper mountain as well.
Lightweight long sleeve shirt for sun protection.

Basecamp and Upper Mountain You may experience quite moderate temperatures on Aconcagua. Often, that in the case until you reach the highest camps. At that point if you don’t have the proper equipment your trip is done. You cannot safely be on Aconcagua without proper clothing. While the lower camps may be relatively mild the high mountain can offer some of the colder and windier conditions found anywhere.

Head

Goggles
Balaclava
Warm fleece or wool hat

Hands

Fleece liners
Gore-Tex ski gloves
Mittens, these should be very warm expedition models. Down or synthetic will be fine.

Upper Body

Polypropylene top (2)- one medium weight and one expedition weight.
Fleece jacket or lightweight synthetic insulated jacket, such as The North Face Redpoint Optimus jacket.
If you opt to only use one of the above jackets then you need an insulated vest as well.
Gore-Tex parka, such as The North Face Mountain Light parka The North Face Mountain Guides jacket. A parka without built in mesh or fabric linings and built in insulation will be lighter weight and more versatile.
Down coat, for example The North Face Nuptse Jacket.

Lower Body

Polypropylene bottom (2)-one lightweight and one expedition weight.
One pair of nylon or schoeler pants as described above in the “approach hike” section.
Fleece or insulated over pants with side zips.
Lightweight Gore-Tex pants or bibs with side zips, such as The North Face Mountain light Pant.

Feet

2 pair of socks for the approach, as mentioned above.
3-4 pair of sock combinations (in additition to above) One sock combination could be one thick sock or you may prefer to use a liner sock in conjunction with a thicker sock. Either is fine. Be sure to test out you sock combinations before arriving here. (One sock combination will be kept clean for summit day).
Gaiters
Down or synthetic booties (optional)
Double plastic boots. Be sure that you have plenty of toe wiggle room in the toes. But, not too much room in the heel.
If your heel lifts up much more that 1/2 in you will be more prone to getting blisters. Be sure that your toes do not hit the front when walking down hill.
Light weight hiking boots, trekking shoes or sneakers as mentioned above
Sandals, as mentioned above.

Sleeping

Down or synthetic rated –10 degrees F/ -26 degrees C
Compression sack for sleeping bag
Thermarest pad with repair kit (a foam pad will be provided in addition to your Thermarest by KL Adventure)

Backpacks and other bags

Internal frame Backpack (6000+ cubic inches or 90 liters)
Day pack
Some medium and large stuff sacks (for organizing personal gear at caches and around camp)
3 heavy-duty plastic bags, such as trash compactor bags.
2 large duffel bags. One for the mules and one to be left with stored items in town.
An assortment of Ziploc bags.

Miscellaneous

Trekking poles or ski poles
Bandanna (for sun protection and cleaning glasses etc.)
Hand warmers (purchased in most outdoor stores)
Ear plugs (for those windy nights or snoring tent mates)
Potable agua (2 bottles)
Mole skin and mole foam (for treating blisters)
Knife with built in scissors for cutting mole foam/skin.
Sunscreen SPF 30 or higher. Consider bringing Zinc oxide if you burn easily.
Ski goggles (hopefully we won’t need them) for those windy summit days.
Head lamp with extra batteries
Toiletry items (toothbrush/toothpaste, baby wipes ‘optional’, tampons
Lip balm
2 water bottles (two liters capacity) you may decide to bring 1 one-liter bottle and 1 one-liter thermos.
Many people like to have a separate wide mouth bottle only for peeing in. This bottle should be clearly labeled!
Cup, bowl and spoon
Sunglasses (2 pair, one primary and one spare)

Climbing

Climbing seat harness (Polish Glacier only)
1 Locking Carabiner (Polish Glacier only)
Ice axe and leash 60-70 cm
Crampons compatible with your boots. Please be sure of compatibility beforehand. Bring any tools you need for adjusting.

Medical Your guides are certified advanced first aid providers. They are very experienced with high altitude protocol as well. They/Aconcagua Express will supply the primary first aid kit. We ask that you supplement any items that you anticipate using. Do not bring any type of sleeping pills onto the mountain! Please bring the following plus any prescription meds you need. Be sure to inform your guide of any medications you are on or want to take. ALWAYS!

Acetazolamide/Diamox 20, 250 mg tablets. No time released capsules.
Ibuprofin, Motrin or Advil
Asperin
Blister kit (athletic tape, mole skin, and 5-6 bandaids)

Food KL Adventure supplies all of the food. Due to the effects of high altitude most people find many foods at high altitude unpalatable. We recommend that each member bring 8 lbs of his or her favorite lunch foods. This will supplement the lunches that we provide and assure us, and you, that you are able to eat some familiar food up high.

Optional Items

Camera
Paperback book
Pee funnel (for women only)
Music (Walkman, etc. for use until basecamp)

Provided by KL Adventure

Professional Bilingual Mountain Guide .
Ratio, Mountain Guide – Clients 1-4 on the normal route, 1-3 on the Polish Traverse, Guanacos Traverse and 1-2 on the Polish Glacier.
All local organization and supervision by KL Adventure Staff .
Airport assistance in Mendoza.
All private transportation during the expedition including airport pick up and drop off.
Aconcagua climbing permit as USD 300 per person on the Normal and Polish route and USD 500 on the Guanacos route.
Mendoza 2 Hotel nights double occupancy with breakfast.
Penitentes 1 Hotel night double occupancy with half pension.
All meals during the expedition.
Full base camp set up; dining tent, chairs, tables, etc.
High quality expedition common gear: The North Face, Mountain Hardware and Marmot tents, foam mattresses, all kitchen items (except cup, bowl, spoon ‘as mentioned above).
Permanent access to hot drinks, tea, coffee, biscuits at base camp tent.
Mules for individual gear to base camp and return with 30 kg. Pp
Porters between base camp, Nido de Condores & Berlin for common gear; tents, stove, food and fuel (for expeditions on The Normal Route only).
First aid kit, hyperbaric chamber, oxygen bottles, oximeter.
Radio communication VHF 2 mt & BLU HF.
Satellite phone at base camp on a per minute payment basis.

Service does not include

Any personal climbing equipment gear
Any meals in Mendoza
Excess gear on mules
Personal for personal gear
Accident / rescue insurance
Cash for extra expenses

General Conditions & Reservation Form

Climb Aconcagua Argentina & Ski Chile with KL Adventure
Head Office: Augusto Mira Fernandez 14248 - Las Condes - Santiago Chile
Marketing Office: Borgoño 23730 Concon. Phone & Fax (56 32) 2817-366 Mobil Phone (56 9) 9799-6441
All Photos taken by Joaquin Oyarzún, except indicated as *E-mail: info@kladventure.com