Climbing Equipment
Rental
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Ice Axe w/Leash
General mountaineering tool. Sizing is important: under 5'7" use a 60cm tool; 5'7"- 6'1" use a 65cm tool; over 6'1" use a 70cm tool. (Too short is preferable to too long). No rubberized grips-they are heavy and do not plunge well into the snow. Make sure that you have a leash that is designed for use on a glacier axe or a leash that you make from 9/16 webbing.
$47
Crampons
With flat rather than 'cookie cutter' frame rails. Your crampons should be steel, not aluminum for strength and durability. A combination heel bail/toe strap is a more universal system than a heel and toe bail system. We strongly recommend crampons with anti-balling plates
$35
Adjustable 3 section Ski/Trekking Poles w/ Snow Baskets
Shock absorbers are not recommended.
Footwear
Double Plastic Climbing Boots w/ high altitude liners
Good quality plastic shells with high altitude inner boots. Make sure that your liners are new; they will pack out over time which decreases their insulation.
Sport Sandals/Water Shoes. For river crossings.
$37
Gaiters .
Wool or Synthetic Socks
3 pair heavyweight socks to be worn over the liner socks. When layering socks, check fit over feet and inside boots.
Liner Socks
3 pair of smooth thin wool, nylon or Capilene to be worn next to the skin. This reduces the incidence of blisters and hot-spots and makes the outer sock last longer before needing to be changed. They should fit well with your heavyweight socks.
Light hiking boots or trekking shoes
For day hikes and trek to Base Camp. The trail to Base Camp is rocky and rough. Light weight, high comfort, plenty of room in the toe bed, and good support should be stressed here.
Booties .
Technical Clothing
Synthetic Short Underwear.
2-3 Pairs of NON-Cotton short style underwear. (boxers, briefs, panties, bras etc.) Amount based on personal preference.
Lightweight Long Underwear ( M | W )
2 pair tops & bottoms, Capilene, other synthetic or wool. No Cotton. Lightweight is preferable as it is more versatile (worn single in warmer conditions and double layer for colder). Zip-T-neck tops allow more ventilation options. One set of white for intense sunny days on the glacier and one pair of dark for faster drying gives the most versatility.
Heavyweight Long Underwear Top ( M | W ). For added comfort and warmth.
Soft Shell Jacket ( M | W )
Mid-heavyweight. A full-zip version is easier to put on and has better ventilation than a pullover.
$57
Soft Shell Pants ( M | W ). These non-insulated pants can be worn everyday during the climb as they are more versatile than fleece.
$59
Hard Shell Jacket w/ hood ( M | W )
We recommend a waterproof breathable shell material with full front zipper, underarm zips, and no insulation. This outer layer protects against wind and rain.
$57
Hard Shell Pants ( M | W )
Waterproof, breatheable. Full length side zippers preferred because it allows easy removal of pants, 7/8th zippers allowed but is more difficult to remove pants. No short 1/2 length, or short lower leg zippers allowed as it is difficult to put pants on when crampons are already on.
$170
Expedition Down Parka .
$49
Down Pants or Insulated Synthetic Pant ( M | W )
To fit over insulation layers. Outer shell must be windproof/water resistant.
Wool/Synthetic Ski Hat .
Balaclava .
Baseball Cap or other Sun Hat .
Bandana or Buff . To shade the neck.
NeckGaiter
$42
Glacier glasses (w/ side covers or wrap around).
Regular sunglasses are usually not sufficient. 100% UV, IR, high quality optical lenses designed for mountain use, must have side covers and leashes. No more than 10% light transmission. If you wear contact lenses we recommend packing a spare pair of glasses - it is a good idea to have these with "photo-gray" or equivalent light-sensitive material so they can double as emergency sunglasses. If you wear glasses we recommend prescription glacier glasses (gray or amber).
$38
Ski Goggles , 1 pair.
Handwear
Lightweight Synthetic Liner Gloves
1 Pair. To wear alone on very sunny days for hand protection or as a layering piece with your Shell mitts.
$38
Soft Shell Gloves
1 Pair. This glove is usually worn alone and during times when the shell mitts would be too warm.
Expedition Mitts
1 pair. Should be large enough to fit lightweight Synthetic Liner Glove.
Personal Equipment
Expedition Backpack
Internal frame pack expandable to a minimum of 100L (6,000 cu.in.) Keep simple and light, avoid unnecessary zippers.
Trekking Pack
Small pack approx. 2,500cu. in for trek in.
Sleeping Bag
(Expedition quality rated to at least -20°F). Goose down preferred over synthetic for bulk & weight. If well-cared-for a down bag will last much longer than a synthetic bag. Your bag needs to be long enough that your feet are not pressing out the foot box which will make you colder. It should be roomy enough for comfortable sleeping but snug enough for efficient heat retention.
Compression Stuff Sacks for reducing volume.
$47
Self-Inflating pad
One 3/4 or full length pad. Make sure to include a valve stem and patch repair kit.
$10
Closed-Cell foam pad
One full length closed cell is recommended.
$12
Headlamp
Bring spare bulb & batteries. No Halogen bulbs: they take more power and have a shorter life.
Cup :
Spoon :
Bowl :
Sunscreen
SPF 40 or better, 2 small tubes. Note: Sunscreen older than 6 months loses half of its SPF rating, make sure that you have new sunscreen.
Lipscreen .
Water Bottles
(2 total) One bottle with 1 litre capacity and one bottle with 1/2 litre capacity. Bottles should be wide mouth made of copolyester (BPA free plastic). No water bag or bladder systems, they freeze or are hard to fill and no metal bottles as lips have a tendency to stick.
Hydration Reservoir.
Optional for use on trek to basecamp. Not a substitute for water bottles above basecamp.
Water Bottle parka .
Fully insulated with zip opening. Neoprene "cozy" style does not provided enough insulation and is not recommended.
Water Purification tablets.
1 bottle. Water filters are too heavy and clog quickly with silt. Steri-Pen also acceptable.
Pee Bottle (1 Liter).
Large mouth, clearly marked water bottle. Collapsible 1 liter canteen takes up less volume than a bottle when empty.
Pee Funnel (for women).
Knife. Medium size. Keep it simple and light, needs a blade and screwdriver.
Toiletry Bag.
Nothing but the basics: Toothpaste, Toothbrush, Baby Wipes. Toilet paper is provided.
Hand Sanitizer .
Hand warmers and Toe Warmers
Bring 3 sets of each. Toe Warmers are different that hand warmers. They are formulated to work in a lower oxygen environment, like the inside of a boot, they also burn out more quickly.
Trash Compactor bags (4).
To line stuff sacks and pack. Trash Compactor bags are made from a heavier plastic.
Camera gear: We recommend small instant or point and shoot cameras. Disposable cameras work great. For the best pictures bring slow speed film, 50-200. Digital cameras work well but require a greater degree of attention.
Traveling
Travel Clothes. In Mendoza: It is hot, so shorts and t-shirts etc. work well. Trek: Very lightweight trekking pants and long sleeve shirts to protect from sun & dust while staying cool.
$30
Large Duffel Bag w/ travel lock
(9-10,000 cu. in.) Heavy Cordura for transporting all gear.
Small Duffel Bag
First Aid
Small Personal First-Aid Kit .
Drugs/Medications/Prescriptions.
Acetazolamide (Diamox) 125 or 250mg tablets for altitude sickness. Ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin) 200mg tablets for altitude headaches, sprains, aches, etc. Extra-Strength Excedrin for headaches. Acetaminophen (Tylenol) 325mg tablets for stomach sensitivity.
Aconcagua Climbing Lunch Food List
Electrolyte Replacement Cold Drink Mix . (Emergency, Cytomax, Nuun). 20 days worth. Most mountain guides prefer to add 1 package to a 1 liter water bottle, so 20 packages.
Energy Gel. for summit day (GU, Powergel, Clifshot) : 6-8 Packets
Energy Bars. (Cliff bar, Power bar, Balance bar, Luna bar, etc.): 12 of your favorite energy bars
Hard Candy. 1/2 qt. bag of your favorite hard candies
Candy Bars or Granola bars. (Snickers, Twix, Milky Way, Hershey, Nature Valley, etc): 10 bars
Crackers. Peanut butter or cheese: 10 packages or Corn Nuts: 4 packets
Crackers. Wheat Thins or Triscuits
* For those climbers who do not eat cheese, dried meat, fruit etc you will need to bring more of the above to supplement your lunch food.
Rental Agreement Terms and Conditions
Rental Information
Confirmation:
Allow 48-72 hours for rental confirmation via email. Please note confirmations
might differ from original reservation, please check your confirmation as that list
contains items scheduled to ship.
Payment:
Credit card on file will be used to process rental payment. Charges are
processed at time of shipping (two weeks prior to departure date) and will include a
$50 Security deposit per item and shipping . Shipping cost is based on size and
weight and can only be determined at shipping.
Security Deposit:
Fees are fully refundable upon timely return (one week from end of trip date).
Fees may be assessed for repair or replacement of damaged item. Please allow
up to two weeks for your refunded to be credited. Please note that items not
returned within one week after trip end date Alpine Ascents reserves the right to
withhold all or part of your Security Deposit.
Shipment:
Rental items are scheduled to ship two weeks prior to departure. Once received
verify all items are correct and fit appropriately. Please note sizing information
provided is used to determine the sizes of items shipped.
You are responsible for rentals once items are shipped and until items are
received back at Alpine Ascents. We encourage you to insure your shipment.
