Climb one of the seven summits

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Below is a non detailed version (this is only for “packing your bags”). Once you sign up we will send you a complete equipment list with some example of model and brand. It is very important that every member arrive with the appropriate equipment. Although there are equipment stores in Argentina it may be difficult to find what you’re looking for. If you are buying new garments for this expedition, get the modern lighter gear.

Feel free to download a copy of the equipment list here.

Items marked with :
** are available for rent.
* are available for purchase.

Head

  • Ski Goggles**
  • Balaclava*
  • Warm fleece or wool hat*
  • Glacier glasses*
  • Extra pair of sunglasses (these don’t need to be glacier glasses)*
  • Hat or cap with neck protection for sun on the approach days
  • High U.V. Buff (optional)
  • Neoprene face mask

Hands

  • Fleece liners
  • Gore-Tex ski gloves
  • Expedition Mittens**

Upper Body

  • (2) Polypropylene or wool top – one medium weight and one expedition weight
  • (1) Fleece, softshell or synthetic insulated jacket
  • (1) Insulated vest (optional)
  • Ultralight wind jacket (optional)
  • Gore-Tex parka
  • (1)Expedition Down Parka with down hood**
  • Long sleeve lightweight cotton type shirt for the hike in

Lower Body

  • (2) Polypropylene or wool bottoms – one lightweight and one expedition weight
  • (1) One pair of schoeller or nylon soft shell pants
  • Insulated over pants or fleece pants with full side zips**
  • Lightweight Gore-Tex pants with full side zips

Feet

  • 2 pair of socks for the approach
  • 3 pair of sock combinations (in addition to above)
  • Gaiters
  • Down or synthetic booties (optional)**
  • Double plastic boots**
  • Light weight hiking boots, trekking shoes or trail runners
  • Sandals or neoprene booties.

Sleeping

  • Down or synthetic sleeping bag, rated -10 degrees F (-26 degrees C)**
  • Compression sack for sleeping bag
  • Thermarest pad with repair kit

Backpacks and other bags

  • Internal frame backpack**
  • Day pack*
  • Some medium and large stuff sacks
  • 3 heavy-duty plastic bags
  • 1 large and 1 extra large duffel bags**
  • An assortment of Ziploc bags

Miscellaneous

  • Trekking poles or ski poles (MANDATORY)**
  • Bandanna for sun protection and cleaning glasses, optional if you have a Buff
  • Chemical hand warmers 2 pairs (purchased in most outdoor stores)
  • Ear plugs (for those windy nights or snoring tent mates)
  • Potable aqua (1 bottle)
  • Mole foam or skin for treating blisters (MANDATORY)
  • (1) roll of athletic tape (MANDATORY)
  • Knife with built in scissors for cutting mole foam/skin.
  • Sunscreen SPF 30 or higher. Consider bringing Zinc oxide if you burn easily.
  • Head lamp with extra batteries
  • Toiletry items (toothbrush/toothpaste, baby wipes-very useful! & tampons)
  • (2) Lip balms (chapstick with SPF)
  • (2) Water bottles (two liters capacity) and 1 one-liter thermos – mandatory!, total capacity 3 liters.
  • Many people like to have a separate wide mouth bottle only for peeing in. This bottle should be clearly labeled!
  • Cup/Insulated Mug, bowl and spoon

Climbing

  • Climbing seat harness (Polish Glacier only)
  • (1) Locking Carabiner (Polish Glacier only)
  • Ice axe and leash 60-70 cm**
  • Crampons**

Food

  • 2-3 lbs of lunch food

Medical

  • Ibuprofen, Motrin or Advil
  • Aspirin
  • Blister kit (athletic tape, mole foam, and 5-6 Band-Aids)

Optional Items

  • Compact camera
  • Paperback book
  • Pee funnel (for women only)
  • MP3 player

Climber Experiences

Hi Joaquin, I was a member of your January expedition to Aconcagua, I was very impressed with the entire setup and I would like to compliment you on how smoothly the expedition went. I was very impressed with the skills of both Gabriel and Mariana and if it hadn’t been for them and the decisions they made I am quite sure we would not have made the summit.

Peter Dignan
United Kingdom

Hello, Magaly!
Was good talking to you on the phone today. We are very happy with the trip, a bit tired and feel very lucky with the weather and our guide, Gabriel, both being important factors that allowed us to summit.

Olga Kotova
Latvia

Beautiful route, and the strategy for adjusting to the altitude was very good. I really enjoyed our team, and Christina and Marianna also seemed to be enjoying themselves very well. Good atmosphere.

Choice for Aconcagua Express Expeditions was also because you were the only ones to actually give me advice on an expedition when I e-mailed you. You offered me a specific expedition and date. So the personal info was important for me.

Martijn de Boer
Netherlands

The two guides were excellent in every possible respect. Everything was well prepared and well organized. Overall I am very much impressed by the dignity, the professionalism and the good manners of the guides. Organization and set up of the expedition was at a very high level.

I will certainly recommend your agency to other fellow climber how will want to try the same experience. Thank you

Sotris Skevis
Greece

I would firstly like to thank you all for putting together such a great expedition. I would like to make particularly comment on the efforts of our guide Cristina who did such a great job.
The cooks at both base camps also deserve mention, as the food they prepared was fantastic. Having said that the cooked meals provided at altitude were perfect for the conditions. The hotel at Penitentes was also a little run down, but again there did not seem to be many other options.
This criticisms do not even rate as concerns. The service provided by your company was fantastic and I would not hesitate to recommend it to others.

Stephen Hynd
Australia

Over the last couple years I had the opportunity to lead many individual and groups to Aconcagua, Patagonia, central Cordillera and Lake District of Chile. I could not have provided the exceptional service my clients have grown accustom to without the help of KL Adventure & Aconcagua Express. Joaquin Oyarzun and his team were perfectly dedicated to the comfort, safety and enjoyment of my clients. It is this type of dedication to service that I search out when I lead trips. It is what guarantees a successful trip. Nature will deliver what it will. Outstanding infrastructure provides the comforts and support that keeps clients coming back.

Jean Pavillard
UIAGM / IFMGA Internationally Certified Mountain Guide World Wide Adventures
Switzerland

Hey Joaquin
We have used Aconcagua Express services every year we have guided Aconcagua and we have been 100% satisfied. Aconcagua Express is exceedingly professional, on time, and a good value. We would not choose another service for our expeditions.
Cheers,

Colby Combs Director Alaska Mountaineering School
Alaska

Overall I was very happy with the trip. Logistics of the trip were well organized; the pre-trip info, the food at base camp, the hotels, transports and equipment provided by KL / Aconcagua Express Expeditions were good.
Our guides, Kristina and Nenu, were excellent. Very friendly, knowledgeable, and capable. I had every confidence in them.

Brett Mc Fadyen
Australia

Overall environment of the expedition was nice, relaxed and very good.
Guides were able proactively to solve all unexpected issues during the trip, and responded to the requests in fast and professional way.

Sarma Jeca
Sweden

Lieber Joaquin,
Da ich annehme, dass ich Dich nicht mehr vor meiner Abreise sehen werde wollte ich mich auf diesem Weg nochmals bei Dir bedanken. Es hat alles so gut geklappt! Und auch Deine Unterstuetzung bei dem zweiten Teil meiner Reise nach Patagonien war fuer mich eine grosse Hilfe!!

Das Satelittentelefon habe ich eingepackt und werde es Ralf bringen. Ich wuerde mich freuen von Dir zu hoeren. Fuer Deine Arbeit und Deine Bergtouren wuensche ich Dir weiterhin viel Glueck.
Herzliche Gruesse

Beate Boltz
Germany