Trekking in Patagonia Gear List

Collapsible skiing/trekking poles. Three section, adjustable-height models are preferred.

Bring three pairs of light to midweight wool hiking socks, plus one pair of heavyweight hiking socks in case of cold weather.

Waterproof hiking boots designed for hiking in cool to cold conditions. Modern, lightly insulated boots with room in the toe box and good support should be stressed. Models like the Scarpa Terra GTX are ideal.

Two to three pairs including the pair you are wearing on Day 1. Synthetic or wool fabrics only - no cotton! Bring comfortable athletic styles based on your needs and preferences (e.g., boxers, briefs, sports bras).

Non-cotton baselayer bottoms that should fit snugly without constriction. We recommend lighter weight baselayers rather than heavier fleece-type layers. Wool, wool blend, polyester, or other synthetic fabrics all work well. Be sure your baselayer pants are not constructed from cotton.

1-2 pair of lightweight nylon trekking pants. We recommend models that are simple, made with synthetic fabrics, and offer pockets for convenience. Zip-off models are not required, but are preferred by some.

Non-insulated, fully waterproof shell pants that must fit comfortably over your baselayer bottoms and softshell pants. Full-length separating size zippers are generally required; occasionally, 7/8th zippers (extending from the cuff of the pant to the upper hip) can suffice but are strongly advised against. Check out our write-up to learn more.

One long-sleeved base layer top. This item must be constructed of a non-cotton material such as merino wool or polyester. Note that light-colored, hooded sun shirts are strongly recommended for sun protection, and are worn by guides throughout most climbs.

A midweight, form-fitting, lightweight fleece layer for use over baselayers. Hoods are optional but recommended. Grid fleeces generally provide the best warmth-to-weight ratio. Note that very light puffy jackets can also suffice as a midlayer.

This breathable but wind-and-weather resistant jacket is a key part of a mountaineering layering system. We recommend a hooded model. This layer must fit well over your midlayer top and baselayer top. Check out our write-up to learn more.

A non-insulated, fully waterproof shell jacket with a hood. Must fit comfortably over your baselayer, midlayer, and softshell.

Your lightweight insulated jacket serves either as a layering piece or as stand-alone insulation when appropriate. This may be filled with down or synthetic insulation. Down feathers are more packable and lighter weight, while synthetic insulation will retain warmth when wet.

A warm, insulated parka with a hood for added warmth. Synthetic insulation is preferred for dealing with wet weather, but down fill can work with careful management. A down sweater is typically not warm enough, but layering multiple small insulated layers together may be sufficient. Call the gear department with questions and when in doubt bring multiple jackets to increase layering options.

Very lightweight wool or synthetic liner gloves that offer a snug, comfortable fit. Lighter colors absorb less sunlight while still offering UV protection. Black or dark-color gloves are also acceptable.

Midweight, lightly insulated, fully waterproof gloves designed for wet-weather use.

A must-have for all outdoor activities, the UV Buff is a versatile replacement for the bandana and serves a multitude of purposes. Check out our write-up to learn more.

Any style of lightweight hat for shading the head will work well. Baseball caps and sombrero-style sun hats are the most common.

A non-cotton wool or synthetic hat that covers the head and ears comfortably.

High-quality, UV-blocking sunglasses with good all-around protection are recommended. A good fit is critical for comfort- try on glasses to check for a comfy fit and good light blockage. Keep in mind that high-quality lenses are an absolute must due to mountain sun.

Nose guards are optional, but can be useful for those with extra-sensitive noses in lieu of constant sunscreen application. Guides strongly recommend the Outeru face glove as a nose guard.

A modern outdoor LED headlamp offering 200-300 lumens of output. Freshly installed batteries plus spare batteries. Rental headlamps do not include spare batteries. Weather-resistant models are strongly preferred. Check out our write-ups <a here to learn more.

A waterproof cover, sized appropriately to fit your pack, is recommended for staving off rain showers.

An internal frame climbing/trekking pack of approximately 22-36 liters in carrying capacity. Emphasize simple, lightweight designs.

Bring two one-liter capacity hard-sided water bottles. Wide-mouth, BPA-free plastic bottles are ideal. Nalgene brand bottles are recommended. Do not bring metal bottles, and do not bring soft-sided water bottles.

A hydration reservoir is optional while hiking to the lower camp(s) on the mountain. We recommend a 2L hydration bladder for maximum comfort and ease. 2 hard-sided water bottles are still required on this trip. This combination will allow you to stay hydrated while carrying some backup water in case of a reservoir puncture. We recommend the HydraPak Water Reservoirs, as this system is far more durable than a traditional Camelbak product. Note that guides may inform at the gear check that a hydration reservoir is not usable if below freezing temperatures are forecasted. Check out our write-up to learn more about hydration systems.

Three heavy plastic garbage bags for use as waterproof pack/stuff sack liners. Trash compactor or contractor bags are made from a heavier plastic and stand up well to prolonged mountain use. Alternatively, a reusable waterproof pack liner can be used provided it completely fills the inside of your pack.

Optional. Small point-and-shoot cameras (including compact SLR's) are ideal & work well at altitude. Alternatively, many opt to use a smartphone camera. Due to weight & care in the mountain environment, large dSLR cameras are discouraged.

Include your standard toiletries- toothbrush, toothpaste, floss, deodorant, etc. Small amounts of cosmetics are OK to bring if desired. Towels, shampoos, and soaps are provided.

Two to four ounces of SPF 30+ sunscreen. Varieties with zinc-oxide are more protective! Two to four ounces per week is typically sufficient, but several small tubes can offer insurance against lost or exploded tubes. Sunscreen loses SPF rating over time; we strongly recommend brand-new sunscreen.

Several tubes of SPF 30+ lipscreen. As with sunscreen, be sure your lipscreen is new.

Lightweight, comfortable running or walking shoes are recommended for pre- and-post trip travel.

Altimeter and Smart Watches are increasingly popular and a great way to track your trip in the field. Models with GPS tracking, altimeter, and activity mode options are most common in addition to having traditional watch features like an alarm clock. Smart watches can be a very helpful tool in training for your climb. For a long trip, we recommend bringing a power bank and charging cable into the field as GPS tracking requires a significant amount of a battery power. For more information on altimeters and smart watches please read our blog post.

Small netbooks, electronic notepads, and even smartphones may be used to stay connected or surf the web where internet connections are available.

Basic medical supplies in a compact package. We recommend over-the-counter pain relievers, Moleskin, first-aid tape, Band-Aids, and anti-septic wipes or gel.

Bring any personal prescriptions, plus Pepto Bismol, Cipro (500mg tablets), Metronidazole (500mg tablets), Z-Paks (500mg tablets), Diamox (125mg tablets, approx. 2 per day at altitude), Zofran (4mg tablets), Immodium, Erythromycin ointment for those who wear glasses/contacts, cold medicine (Mucinex, Tylenol cold +flu, Theraflu), and a variety of over-the-counter pain relievers like Tylenol and Ibuprofen. Some find that Excedrin (a combination of aspirin, acetaminophen and caffeine) works particularly well at relieving altitude-related headaches. We also recommend a selection of hard candies and cough drops to handle the cold, dry air.

Always recommended for getting high-quality rest. Soft foam rather than wax models are recommended as they are light and disposable.

Many alcohol-based hand cleaners will work well. Bring a small amount appropriate to the trip duration.

Please review the food information on your climb Logistics page. A close reading of this information is important towards a smooth trip. Please contact our office with any food-related questions. For additional food tips, check out this write-up.

For traveling both to your start location and for in-country travel, a large travel duffel is recommended. Purchase a travel lock for peace of mind. Wheeled models are very convenient and are recommended.

For travel into and out of country, and for all evenings spent in hotels, casual clothing is recommended. Bring a comfortable variety of 'town' clothing suitable for lounging and traveling.