Print Packing List

Base Layers

• Synthetic Short Underwear (2-3 pair): non-cotton style underwear
• Lightweight Long Underwear (1-2 pair): long sleeve shirt and long pants
• Heavyweight Long Underwear (1 pair)
• Short Sleeve Synthetic Shirt (1-2)

Mid Layers

• Soft Shell Jacket: to be worn over other layers
• Soft Shell Pants: very breathable and water repellant
• Lightweight Nylon Pants (optional)

Windproof/Rain Layers

• Hard Shell Jacket with hood: waterproof and breathable shell jacket
• Hard Shell Pants: waterproof and breathable shell pants

Insulation Layers

• Insulated Down or Synthetic Jacket with hood
• Insulated Pants (optional)

Headwear

• Warm Hat: synthetic or wool hat (ski hat)
• Balaclava: to protect your neck and face in high winds
• Baseball Cap or other sun hat: to shade your face/neck from the sun on a hot day
• Bandana or Buff: to protect your neck/face from the sun

Eyewear

• Glacier Glasses: full protection with side covers or wrap around
• Ski Goggles: to be worn in the event of high winds

Gloves

• Lightweight Synthetic Liner Gloves: for wearing on warm days
• Soft Shell Gloves: to wear for moderate cold/wind
• Shell Glove with Insulated Liner: to wear for severe cold/strong wind
• Expedition Mitts: large enough to fit a liner glove inside

Footwear

• Liner Socks (3 pairs)
• Wool or Synthetic Socks (3 pairs)
• Mountaineering Boots
• Hiking Shoes/Boots: comfortable hiking boots
• Gaiters
• Water Shoes or Sandals: for stream and river crossings
• Booties (optional): for wearing around camp

Sleeping Equipment

• Sleeping Bag: rated to at least -20°F
• Self-inflating Sleeping Pad: full length is preferred
• Closed-cell Foam Pad: to be used in conjunction with the inflating pad for warmth and comfort when sleeping
• Earplugs

Mountaineering Gear

• Expedition Backpack: approximately 105L
• Compression Stuff Sacks: for reducing the volume of the sleeping bag, down parka, etc. in your pack
• Trash Compactor Bags: to line backpack and stuff sacks as well as for separating gear
• Backpack Rain Cover (optional)
• Trekking Backpack: to carry on the trek to base camp. Simple and light.
• Trekking Poles with Optional Snow Baskets: adjustable
• Ice Axe: general mountaineering tool (~60cm)
• Crampons: general mountaineering crampons
• Climbing Helmet (optional): must be able to fit over your warm hat
• Headlamp: with 2 extra sets of new batteries

Travel Items

• Large Duffel Bag with Lock: for transporting gear to base camp on the mules, no hard sides or wheels
• Small Duffel Bag with Lock: to store items in the hotel(s) while on the climb
• Travel Clothes: for days in cities and towns
• Lightweight journal, sketchbook, pencils, pen
• Currency to exchange to purchase SIM cards or merchandise in cities and villages

Additional Food Items

• Snack Food: bring a few days’ supply of your favorite climbing snack food such as bars, gels, nuts, beef jerky, etc. variety of salty and sweet is good

Other Equipment

• Cup: plastic 16 oz. minimum cup or mug
• Bowl: large plastic bowl for eating dinner or breakfast
• Spoon: plastic spoon (Lexan)
• Water Bottles (2): wide mouth bottles with 1-liter capacity
• Water Bottle Parkas (2): fully insulated with zip opening
• Thermos (optional): 1-liter
• Water Treatment
• Sunscreen: SPF 40 or better
• Lip Screen (2 sticks): SPF 30 or better
• Toiletry Bag: include toothbrush, toothpaste, toilet paper, baby wipes and hand sanitizer (2 small bottles)
• Pee Bottle: 1-liter minimum bottle for convenience at night in the tent
• Female Urination Device (FUD)
• Knife or Multi-tool (optional)
• Small Personal First-aid Kit: include athletic tape, band-aids, Ibuprofen, blister care, etc.
• Medications and Prescriptions: bring antibiotics (Azithromycin, etc.), and altitude medicine such as Diamox, etc.
• Handkerchiefs/Bandanas (optional)

Optional Electronics

• Country-appropriate power plug adapters and power transformers
• Adventure Sports Watch: such as Garmin fēnix 6
• GPS/Personal Satellite Communicator: such as Garmin inReach Mini
• Personal Power System: such as Goal Zero Nomad 28 Plus Solar Panel and Sherpa 100AC Power Bank
• Digital Entertainment: movies, tv shows, music, books loaded on to smartphone, iPad, Kindle
• Camera: bring extra batteries, charger, and memory cards

RENTAL ITEMS 

You can hire all the equipment you are likely to need in a rental shop in town, there are many to choose from but i like to use one called Limite Vertical on Sarmiento Street. 

It is worth pointing out that the supermarkets sell everything you may need in terms of personal stuff for your washkit, sweets and snacks and any types of food. This might save you a lot of weight in your baggage.

The route for the Horcones Valley on Aconcagua starts from the road at Puente Del Inca with a two day walk up the Horcones Valley (stopping at Confluencia along the way to acclimatise), a long and dry valley all the way to Plaza de Mulas. The weather can be very extreme, either very hot and dusty or with the potential for snow, wind, hail and storms. The route has stunning views of surrounding peaks and cliffs. 

From dusty, rocky terrain to long paths laden with snow, there are a lot of extremes on Aconcagua.

We use mules to take all the gear to this point and stay overnight at Confluencia Camp for two nights. The third day’s walk to base camp takes a whole day and it is tough. It is not uncommon to feel dehydrated, tired and slightly altitude sick on reaching Plaza de Mulas (4200m).

At base camp, there is little or no vegetation, and it is dry and cold with temperatures ranging from -15 to +15 degrees Centigrade. Here we put up our tents and use local base camp services for meals, toilets and showers. There are charging facilities and a free medical service. Base Camp to Camp Canada is about four hours to 5000 metres on a long easy scree slope with a zigzag path. We have to manage some carries of food, gas and equipment.

Camp Canada to Nido de Condores is about four hours to 5400 metres on scree and snow with a path. We will have to stock this camp with food, gas and tents. Nido can be very windy with deep snow. Decisions on summiting are made here since above this camp our supplies will be limited.

Nido de Condores to Berlin Camp is about four-hour hike to 5940 metres, on rock and snow. Everything required for summit day will be carried up in one load normally, so heavy rucksacks are normal. Another option is to hike a little further to Camp Colera (5980m) which is a little more exposed but has more space.  This is a dramatic place to camp with exceptional views over the Andes. We try hard to get some rest, liquids and food into us before attempting to reach the summit.

Normally summit morning begins at about 3 am. Berlin Camp or Camp Colera to the summit is about 8 – 10 hours to 6962 metres on rock, snow and ice, and then about 3 – 4 hours descent back to camp. Summit day is long and hard, very taxing on energy and a considerable achievement. It is always cold and windy and great effort must be put into looking after yourself. This is not a place for cheap equipment.

Aconcagua demands respect, determination and discipline. But there is plenty of opportunity for fun.

There are several sections to the summit route, starting with an initial ascent on the mixed ground up to White Rocks at 6100 metres. From here there are fine views over the Polish Glacier and a long set of zig zags on the exposed ground leading up to the Independencia Hut. By now the sun will be up, and the wind and cold can be savage.

There is then a long, low rising traverse to the base of the Canaleta, a 400m steep ascent on a mixture of scree and snow, and then a traverse to the Cresta del Guanaco just below the summit. From here it is another 30 minutes to the summit itself which is quite large; normally spend about 20 minutes on the top taking photos.

The descent back to base camp at Plaza de Mulas is over two days. Either sleep again at the top camp after the summit attempt and the next morning return to Nido de Condores to pick up the remaining gear and brave a very heavy rucksack back down to base camp. Or pack up the tent and get down to Nido straight away, and descend to base the next morning. 

• On Booking your expedition our returns policy can be viewed here https://www.jasonblack.ie/refund_returns/
• During the expedition there are no refunds.  This includes but is not limited to, expeditions that conclude without reaching or making progress towards expedition objective(s) (for example, the summit) due to route conditions, weather, insufficient manpower, or any other factor outside the control of Jason Black Mountaineering.
• Expedition leader has the final say on the expedition conclusion and will make all best efforts towards reaching expedition objective(s) within our margin of safety.
• Participants that choose to leave an active expedition for any reason are not entitled to any refunds
• Jason Black Mountaineering, highly recommends trip cancellation insurance for all expeditions
• Due to the nature and heavy costs of government and operator permits, Jason Black Mountaineering must adhere to a stringent refund policy
• Deposit due with registration.

Yes.
If you buy your permits before end of August at a cost of $450 after September permits cost $900
Your permit covers the Base Camp doctor and medical team should you require it, helicopter evacuation. The permit is obtained at the office of tourism in the centre of Mendoza. You must be present in person. Bring your passport. 

Around 3,500 people attempt to reach the summit every year, with about 40 percent succeeding. It is a much greater undertaking than other mountains such as Kilimanjaro. You will require crampons, an ice axe and good backpacking skills, but not rope.

We can arrange extra hotel nights for you if you want to arrive early or stay on for some extra days. Please let us know so we can make the arrangements as required.

There are no technical mountaineering skills required to climb Aconcagua. That said, it is a tough climb. You’ll need to acclimatise properly, adapt to high winds and face cold night, quite normal for a high mountain.

Slow and Steady

Yes, you can leave any luggage at the hotel during the trek.

Jason Black will personally meet you at the airport. Please look for our Black Mountaineering signboard.

Most guests are eligible to get a visa on arrival at the airport and it takes between 30 minutes to an hour depending on the rush. Guests are responsible to check and verify all visa requirements and vistas before arriving, and that includes your current Covid vaccine card. (you will not get in if not vaccinated). Your passport needs to have at least 6 months validity on the date you are entering South America. Check this as soon as you book your climb.

We have solar electricity at Basecamp

Aconcagua is the tallest mountain in South America and should be respected. Altitude sickness is a reality, but manageable in the hands of an experienced high altitude leader. Your enemy up high is altitude and cold if you and the team manage this with care and the wether is good then the chances of success are high. Abuse this and the chances are greatly reduced. Jason black is one of the most experienced high altitude mountaineers in the world and knows best how to move when to move and how to be successful on Aconcagua. 

Climbing insurance is vital for Aconcagua. If an accident or incident should occur that requires immediate medical assistance and evacuation you will most definitely want adequate trekking insurance that can cover the costs of air ambulance and treatment. Make sure you have insurance that covers you for any travel related risks, like lost, stolen, damaged or delayed baggage; interruptions and flight delays and tour operators default.

Jason Black is a certified  Wilderness Advanced First Aid and is remote professional and wilderness leader highly experienced in remote and challenging environments. We are equipped with pulse oximeters and in addition to keeping a close watch of your condition they will take daily readings of your blood oxygen saturation levels. In addition our guides carry a basic first aid kit and have a mobile phone. In an emergency situation the guide will coordinate rescue efforts with the park rangers office where a support team is available 24/7.

Jason Black Mountaineering runs small number unique groups. He never shares personal data but we can give you a general idea on nationalities, sex and approximate age ranges, if you contact us directly.

Your smile and an open mind and an open heart.

On any trip it is advised to take out travel insurance appropriate to the countries you are visiting and what you will be doing when you get there. It is important to take out your policy as soon after booking your trip as possible. If you need to cancel for a legitimate reason then your trip costs and flight costs will be covered. 

• Do i need a visa

• When do i book my flights