Complete Aconcagua expedition packing list: what I packed for a successful solo climb

2x sports bras/shirts + hiking shorts for approach + underwear

You’ll want lightweight, breathable layers for the lower valley approach, where temps can be extremely hot and the sun incredibly harsh— cover up as much as possible to void sunburn. I wore a simple sports bra (under my sun shirt) and yoga shorts.

I’m not going to tell you what undergarments to pack, but just consider you’ll have 2-3 weeks on the mountain and it’s nice to have clean underwear every day on a climb.

sun shirt for approach: Arc’teryx Taema Hoody (women’s) / Cormac Hoody (men’s)

This is an essential layer for the first 2-3 days of hiking through the Horcones Valley— breathable, quick-drying, and UPF-rated to protect from the intense high-altitude sun.

wool base layer: Smartwool Classic Thermal Base Layer Top (women’s) / (men’s)

This was my base layer throughout the entire trip, everything from sleeping at Base Camp to piling on all my layers for the summit. It offered great moisture-wicking and next-to-skin warmth without bulk, and kept me reasonably clean-ish for nearly 2 weeks on the mountain.

lightweight fleece mid-layer: Arc’teryx Rho LT Hoody (women’s) / (men’s)

My go-to mid-layer for climbing days and rest days at camp, as well as one of the many layers I wore on summit day. Soft, stretchy, and breathable, this was an ideal layer to throw over a base layer and under warmer jackets. The fitted hood and built-in balaclava also helped cut the wind on summit day— I wore it pulled up under all of my other hats, balaclavas, and Buffs.

heavyweight fleece mid-layer: Arc’teryx Kyanite Zip Neck Top (women’s) / Rho Heavyweight Zip Neck Top (men’s)

For cold evenings at camp and of course the final summit push, this heavier fleece was a crucial insulating mid-layer. Plus, very comfortable to wear lounging around the tent while waiting for my weather window!

synthetic insulation: Arc’teryx Atom Hoody (women’s) / (men’s)

My essential active mid-layer, I wore the Atom daily at Base Camp and above, layering it under my down jacket for extra warmth in windy conditions. It’s breathable enough for climbing between camps, but still warm and wind-resistant. Like all the other layers on this list, it formed a crucial part of my summit ensemble!

mid-weight down jacket: Arc’teryx Cerium Hoody (women’s) / (men’s)

Not warm enough on its own for Aconcagua’s freezing nights, but this lighter down jacket layered perfectly under my heavy down jacket (Thorium) for evenings at camp and the final summit push. Super light, super packable, and a great mid-weight down piece to build into your insulation system. Two down jackets are essential for these conditions!

heavyweight down jacket: Arc’teryx Thorium Hoody (women’s) / (men’s)

My outermost insulation layer on summit day and a staple for cold evenings at camp. I layered it over both my Atom and Cerium jackets (as well as every single layer on this list), and that combo kept me… well, not exactly warm, but at least ALIVE all the way to the top, even in -25°C wind chill. I saw some other climbers in $1000 down suits, but this modular system worked for me and was way more versatile!

shell jacket: Arc’teryx Beta SL Jacket (women’s) / (men’s)

Essential for wind, snow, and storm protection at altitude. I didn’t end up needing to wear my shell at all, but in the event of inclement weather, it could have been life-saving. This jacket should be large enough to fit over ALL your other layers (any compression of your down will reduce its warmth insulation), so size up accordingly.

wool base layer bottoms: Arc’teryx Satoro Merino Wool Bottoms (women’s) / (men’s)

These were my go-to base layer throughout the entire expedition— I wore them daily at camp, and under my fleece and soft shell pants for the final push. Merino was also key for keeping stink and sweat to a minimum over many days of wear!

fleece mid-layer bottoms: Arc’teryx Kyanite Base Layer Bottoms (women’s) / (men’s)

I layered these over my merino base layer and under my Gamma Pants while hanging around at High Camp and climbing in -25°C on summit day. At crazy cold temperatures, a 3-4 pant layering system is clutch!

soft shell pants: Arc’teryx Gamma Pants (women’s) / (men’s)

Soft shell pants are essential for climb days between camps (and to the summit), layered over merino wool base layer and often also the fleece mid-layer for added warmth above 6,000m. They’re breathable, stretchy, and tough enough to handle rough scree and snow without restricting movement.

hard shell pants: Arc’teryx Beta Pants (women’s) / (men’s)

I only pulled these on for summit day, but I was so glad to have them— between the wind chill and occasional snow flurries, having a fully waterproof and windproof outer layer made a huge difference. I layered them over my Satoro wool base layer + Kyanite mid-layer + Gamma Pants for a 4-layer system that actually kept me comfortable and mobile at 6,962m.

sun hat: Arc’teryx Gamma 5-Panel Cap

Worn daily on the approach and anytime I wasn’t in a hood or beanie, a lightweight, packable sun cap is essential for long, exposed days below base camp when the sun is relentless and the wind hasn’t kicked in yet.

glacier glasses: Julbo Vermont

An absolute must for Aconcagua— between the snow glare, altitude, and constant UV exposure, you’ll want category 4 glacier glasses that fully wrap and seal around your eyes. Mine never left my face after Confluencia (until the summit push, when I wore full goggles; below).

ski goggles: Smith Blazer Snow Googles

I wore these for my entire 12hr summit day and they were absolutely essential. In -25°C with wind chill, exposed skin can develop frostbite in minutes, and the delicate skin around your eyes and nose is especially vulnerable— goggles protected my face from windburn and frostbite, and made a huge difference in comfort and safety during the climb.

2x neck gaiters: Buff Original + Buff Polar

I packed one lightweight Buff for sun protection and dust on the approach and a Polar Buff (lined with fleece) for wind and cold at higher elevations— I wore one or both every day!

balaclava: Seirus Ultra Clava

This balaclava came out on summit day for full-face protection and made a huge difference in managing cold and breathability all the way to the summit.

Wearing a Buff over your nose and mouth might seem like a good idea, but it can cause condensation to build up, which instantly freezes in extreme cold AND can restrict already challenging breathing. The Ultra Clava has vent holes around the mouth and nose, which helped prevent icing, reduce moisture, and kept my face much warmer and drier under my goggles and hood. This was an awesome purchase and I’d highly recommend it!

beanie: Arc’teryx Mallow Toque

Simple, warm, and always on hand. I wore it around camp, under my hood on colder climbing days, and certainly on the freezing summit push— it was a staple layer from Plaza de Mulas upward.

lightweight hiking gloves: Outdoor Research Trail Mix Gloves (women’s) / (men’s)

Perfect for handling gear around camp— at Base Camp and above, I basically never had these off (until I swapped for insulated mittens on summit day).

insulated mittens: Black Diamond Super Light Mitts

Absolutely critical for summit day! These were the only gloves warm enough to handle the wind chill near 7,000m and I wore them for the entire climb to the summit and back. Warm, windproof, and worth the price for top-tier protection against frostbite.

3x liner socks: Injinji Liner Crew + REI Co-op Silk Liner Crew Socks

I wore my favourite toe-sock liners under my boot socks to reduce friction and prevent blisters during the long approach to Base Camp, but they would NOT have been a good choice for the freezing cold summit push, when contact between toes is essential for warmth— for this, I swapped to a classic Silk Liner.

3x boot socks: Darn Tough Hiker Micro Crew Cushion Socks (women’s) / (men’s)

My everyday sock for the approach and climbing between Base Camp and High Camps. These mid-weight merino socks offer a perfect combo of cushion, durability, and odour resistance.

expedition socks: REI Co-op Merino Wool Expedition Hiking Crew Socks

For summit day, swap to extra-thick, ultra-warm expedition socks designed for extreme climbing conditions.

I wore the silk liners + neoprene toe warmers + these expedition socks under my double boots and I had no issues with my feet being cold, so I’d definitely recommend this system!

approach boots: La Sportiva Trango Tech Leather GTX Boots (women’s) / (men’s)

I wore lightweight mountaineering boots from the Horcones Valley approach all the way up to High Camp 3— they handled rocky terrain, scree, and snow patches beautifully, and the support was excellent under load. That said, they’re not even close to warm enough for summit day, so you’ll definitely need to switch to double boots for the final push!

high-elevation double boots (recommended to rent): La Sportiva G2 SM Double Boot

Double boots are a non-negotiable for summit day— these are specialised mountaineering boots with a built-in removable inner liner, designed to provide maximum warmth and insulation in extreme cold. I rented a pair of La Sportiva G2 SMs in Mendoza and was super impressed by their warmth and performance. They retail for $900+, so unless you’re doing multiple high-altitude climbs, renting is 100% the way to go.

backpack (50-75L): Osprey Aura AG 65 (women’s) / Atmos AG 65 (men’s)

You’ll be using this pack for two major hauls: the 2-3 day approach to Base Camp (I carried about 18kg of camping gear, warm-weather clothing, and limited food), and the gear carry to High Camp (I carried 25kg from Base Camp to High Camp 2, including camping gear, cold-weather layers, double boots, several days of food, and all my summit gear).

I used my Osprey Aura AG 50 for the expedition, and while it technically fit everything, I definitely maxed it out— for most people, a 65L+ pack will be far more comfortable and practical.

helmet: Black Diamond Half Dome Helmet (women’s) / (men’s)

A helmet might seem optional on a non-technical route, but it’s essential for protecting your head in the event of a fall—especially during the final scramble to the summit, when you’re exhausted, the terrain is loose, and altitude-induced hypoxia is impairing your coordination.

ice axe: Black Diamond Raven Ice Axe

Conditions vary— sometimes the final summit ridge is snow-free, other times it’s icy and sketchy. I brought an axe but didn’t end up carrying it past Base Camp due to clear trail conditions (on advice from local guides). Still, I’d never recommend attempting the summit without one packed, you just don’t know what conditions will be like until you’re there!

crampons: Black Diamond Contact Strap Crampons with ABS Plates

Same deal as the ice axe: you might not need crampons, but you’ll be glad you packed them if things firm up near the summit. I left mine at Base Camp after speaking with local guides, but they’re essential in snowy or icy conditions, especially early in the season or after a storm.

trekking poles: Black Diamond Trail Trekking Poles

These were lifesavers throughout the entire expedition, from river crossings in the Horcones Valley to the final summit push. I used them every single day and can’t imagine doing the climb without them.

PLB/SOS: Garmin InReach Mini 2

A Personal Locator Beacon (PLB) is your lifeline in the outdoors and it is essential for EVERY SINGLE SUMMIT, but especially for a solo expedition like Aconcagua. I used my Garmin InReach Mini 2 every day to pull weather reports and watch for my summit window— I simply could NOT have summited safely without this information. Knowing I had the ability to call for help while I was up on that summit 100% alone was also massive, so DO NOT SKIP THIS if you’re climbing alone or otherwise unsupported!

GPS: CalTopo app on mobile

The absolute best GPS resource is the smartphone you already own, paired with a reliable, low-cost GPS mapping app that allows you to access detailed offline Topo maps and navigate via GPS satellites, even without mobile service.

My go-to is CalTopo, which costs just $20/year and is by far the most feature-rich, affordable, and accurate mapping tool out there.

🗺️ I built a custom Aconcagua GPS map with daily tracks based on my summit itinerary, dozens of waypoints, and other essential navigational information to help you stay on track. For solo expeditions, this is essential!

First Aid Kit: Adventure Medical Kits Backpacker

There are camp doctors available at Base Camp and some limited medical services at High Camp 1-2, but you still need to be able to attend to minor injury and illness on your own if you’re considering a solo ascent.

As a minimum, you should pack altitude sickness medication— I didn’t take a single pill of Diamox, but I’m glad I had that option if things started going sideways with my acclimatisation. Read this post for more about altitude sickness management.

I also found it helpful to have my own pulse oximeter to monitor oxygen saturation regularly throughout the expedition. These devices are small, inexpensive, and easy to use, so I highly recommend bringing one to keep watch on your %SpO2 (the best measure of how your body is acclimatising).

headlamp: Black Diamond Spot 400-R

Essential for navigating around camp in the evenings, cooking in the tent, and of course the brutal middle-of-the-night summit push— I left High Camp 2 at 1am, climbing for 6hrs in complete darkness before the sun came up. I highly recommend a rechargeable headlamp with minimum 300 lumens for reliable route-finding in alpine conditions!

3x powerbanks: VRURC Portable Charger with Built-in Cables, 10000mAh

With no way to recharge above Base Camp, power becomes a safety essential— especially when you’re relying on your phone for GPS, your inReach for emergency comms, and your headlamp for an alpine start. This is to say nothing of the fact that you may be hunkered down at base camp reading or watching movies for days on end in bad weather! Power is a MUST.

I carried 3x 10,000mAh powerbanks to stay powered during my 10-day itinerary, but for slower itineraries (up to 20 days on the mountain), I’d recommend adding a solar charger.

solar charger: BigBlue 28W Solar Charger

For longer expeditions, it eventually becomes lighter to carry a solar charger than to pack extra powerbanks. I didn’t own this when I climbed Aconcagua, but I feel like it would have been absolutely essential if I’d been on a longer itinerary. My 3x powerbanks got me just barely through the trip!

👉🏼 For a complete run-down of ALL the photography gear we are currently using & loving, check out this camera gear post

expedition duffel: The North Face Base Camp Duffel 71L

For the mules that carry your gear to Base Camp, you’ll need a durable, waterproof expedition duffel. I used the 71L North Face Base Camp Duffel and it held all the climbing gear I needed to send ahead, no issues with dust, weather, or weight capacity.

mountaineering tent: Doite Himalaya 2

I rented this 2-person mountaineering tent in Mendoza, and it held up brilliantly in strong winds and blowing snow at High Camp. Unless you already own a 4-season expedition tent, I highly recommend renting— these setups are specifically designed to handle Aconcagua’s high-altitude conditions and stand up to the rough rock you’re pitching on.

Since you’ll be spending so much time in the tent acclimatising and/or waiting for a weather window, solo climbers should carry a 2-person tent and couples should carry a 3-person tent for comfort.

sleeping bag: Feathered Friends Murre EX 0 (comfort rated: -18°C) or Sea to Summit Spark 0

I was warm and comfortable every night with this bag— and that’s saying something, considering how unbelievably cold it gets near 6,000m! You’ll absolutely need a zero-degree comfort-rated bag, ideally paired with a liner to add even more warmth.

sleeping bag liner: Sea to Summit Reactor Extreme

Paired with my -18°C bag, this liner helped create a complete -30°C sleep system for only a small addition of weight. If you are worried about being cold, this is the cheapest and easiest way to to beef up your sleeping bag!

sleeping pad: Therm-a-Rest NeoAir XLite NXT Sleeping Pad

Surprisingly comfortable and incredibly packable, this pad insulated well and I never felt the cold seeping up from the ground, even when temps dropped well below freezing.

For extra insulation, I also picked up a cheap $20 foam pad from an outdoor shop in Mendoza and used it as a bottom layer beneath my inflatable pad.

camp pillow: Sea to Summit Aeros Premium

A luxury I’ll never hike without! Lightweight, compact, and so worth the space for better sleep at altitude.

toiletries

Toothbrush, toothpaste, hairbrush, deodorant, medications, contact solution, wilderness wipes… whatever you need to stay clean and comfortable for the entire expedition.

You’ll be given blue bags to collect waste at High Camp (above Base Camp, there are no toilets), so you don’t need to pack your own, simply collect from the ranger station at the trailhead.

camp shoes: Mountain Hardwear Down Bootie (High Camp)

Light, packable, and crucial for keeping your feet warm while walking around camp or hanging in the tent.

camp stove (+ fuel): Jetboil Zip

A compact canister stove is ideal for making simple meals at altitude— crazy fast, fuel-efficient, and effective in heavy wind. Even up to 6,000m, my Jetboil was functioning perfectly!

A conservative estimate for fuel is one 230g canister per 3 days per person— based on this, I bought 3 canisters of fuel for myself, but only ended up using 1 canister for the entire expedition. This under-consumption is partially because I stayed at Camp 2 (the only high camp with pond access, so you don’t have to melt snow), but it’s still better to have more fuel than not enough! 

mess kit + cutlery: Sea to Summit Frontier Ultralight Collapsible 4-Piece Dinnerware Set

At the very minimum, your mess kit should contain a spoon and cup; at most, it might extend to a bowl and fork. Plastic is more comfortable to hold onto than metal at below-freezing temps!

water filter: Katadyn BeFree 1.oL Water Filter

You’ll have access to potable water at Lower Base Camp & Base Camp; High Camps 1 & 3 require snow melt (part of the reason I chose not to camp at either); but water at High Camp 2 comes from a small pond that doesn’t require melting but definitely needs filtering. The BeFree was compact, fast, and worked perfectly for the few places where filtering was needed.

water reservoir: HydraPak Seeker 2L

I used this mainly to carry water back to my tent from taps at Base Camp or the dirty pond at High Camp 2, where I could then boil or filter water at my leisure without constantly running out for a refill. It’s super lightweight, durable, and collapses flat when empty, making it the ideal water hauling solution when your camp isn’t right next to the water source.

2x water bottles: Nalgene Wide Mouth

These were my main water bottles throughout the expedition. Wide-mouth bottles are ideal at altitude— they’re easier to fill, easier to mix electrolytes into, and less likely to freeze shut than narrow bottles. That being said, they will 100% freeze while climbing above 6,000m, so it’s still essential to pack an insulated bottle for summit day (below).

insulated water bottle: Hydro Flask Wide-Mouth Vacuum Bottle 32oz

Your only access to drinkable (non-frozen) water during the coldest part of summit day is going to be from an insulated bottle— this is SUPER important, do not expect any sock liner or upside-down storage trick to keep even a trickle of liquid water in a bottle at these temps!

electrolytes: Liquid IV

With the altitude, constant sun exposure, and high physical demands of the expedition, I mixed electrolytes into every single bottle of water that I drank to stay on top of hydration and avoid headaches or energy crashes.

freeze-dried meals + snacks

For my 10-day expedition, I packed 16 full days of food, including high-calorie freeze-dried meals for dinners, plus snacks like bars, trail mix, crackers, jerky, and a few “treat” items for morale. My main advice is to pack more than you expect to eat, in case you get stuck at camp waiting for a weather window!

Favourite brands: Peak Refuel; Packit Gourmet; Backpacker’s Pantry; Real Turmat (European brand)

👉🏼 Check out this post for a breakdown on how I pack backcountry food for alpine expeditions