Ojos del Salado Equipment List

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, 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 San Pedro de Atacama or where you expedition start, 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 in Ojos del Salado. 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 in Ojos 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 for summit day.

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

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.
• 1 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

• 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/KL Adventure 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 Guide Clients 1-3.
• All local organization and supervision by KL Adventure Staff.
• Flight Santiago – Calama - Copiapo - Santiago with 20 kg baggage.
• Private transportation.
• Seven Hotel nights double occupancy with breakfast.
• Ojos del Salado permits including Difrol.
• All meals during the expedition and trekking program.
• Full base camp set up dining tent, chair, tables, etc..
• High quality expedition common gear: The North Face tents, Mountain Hardware and Marmot tents, inflates & isolate mattress, high camp stoves & Gaz.
• Permanent access to hot drinks, tea, coffee, biscuits at base camp tent.
• First aid kit, hyperbaric chamber, oxygen bottles, oximeter.
• Radio communication VHF 2 mt.
• Satellite phone at base camp on a per minute payment basis.

Service does not include

• All personal climbing equipment gear.
• Excess gear on flight.
• Any cost involve in a early departure.
• Any meals and drinks (soda, beer or wine) in the cities.
• Accident and rescue insurance .
• Cash for extra expenses.
• Any other service not mentioned in the list.
  

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