Essential Gear for Speed Ascents at High Altitude

"The best "gear" you will ever own is your mindset and attitude." - Mia Farrow ;)

Over the years, I've refined my gear selection through extensive trial and error. Here is the gear that has proven most effective for me on this particular project.

While the journey involved some experimentation, it was largely successful, and I believe that practice and experience are the best teachers.

SPEED ASCENTS:

Running Vests:

• WAA Ultra 20 L, NorthFace 12L, Salomon 10 L, ON Running 10 L, Deuter 20 L

Mini Crampons:

• Kahtoola

Crampons:

• Petzl leopard ultra light

Petzl gear:  

• helmut, harness

Shoes: (personal fit & preference) Aconcagua is rocky and sandy in places at lower altitude, has water crossings, rocks and boulders. Snow in the high altitude and ice near the summit.

• LaSportiva Cyklon Cross Goretex Trail

• LaSportiva Akasha, Helios III, Bushido, Jackal II Boa

• ON Running (because I used to be their ambassador and have so many pairs!:)

Gloves:

• Icebreaker layers

• OutdoorResearch mitts

Apparel:

• Stellar EQ - pants, tops, shorts, hat

• MacPac NZ - summit parka, various layers, wool layers

• ON Running - trail shorts, tops, ultra light jackets, caps

• NorthFace - pants shell goretex ultralight Futurelight

• Icebreaker NZ - long jones, wool layer tops, buff

• Mons Royale NZ - top layers

  
  

Jackets:

• Ansilta Aconcagua Goretex shell (M size - same jacket as Julian Insarralde:)

• NorthFace Summit Series 800 down ultra light (2x blue and silver)

• ON Running

• MountainHardware

• MacPac NZ

Sticks:

• foldable 110cm Blackdiamond

Sunglasses:

• Julbo goggles for high altitude

• Oakley spectra 4 for high altitude

Headlamps:

• Blackdiamond 250, 300, 400, 500

• Petzl 300, 400

Bivy:

• NorthFace Futurelight Assault bivy - it's fantastic

Sleeping bags:

• Mountain Hardware - 18 C (for pre-acclimatisation / training)

• Sea to Summit -2 C (compact and ultra light)

OTHER GEAR:

1. Garmin InReach messenger + inReach Unlimited plan

2. GPS watch: Coros Vertix and Coros Pace 3

3. GoPro 10

4. iPhone (rarely used, wifi only in 2 camps)

5. old iPod for music - battery last for an hour only

6. Nikon mini camera + video

7. battery banks only for training - rarely used them, def NOT for the speed ascent.

   
   
   

   

   
   
   
   
   
   

   

   

   

   

   
   
   

OTHER : (it's a must for high altitude)

• Global Rescue Insurance

NUTRITION:

1. Switch Electrolytes

2. Naak carb drinks

3. Naak soup

4. Precision Hydration

5. vitamins and minerals

6. lots of pasta :)

At high altitudes, my favorite meals include pasta with red meat and fresh fruits like oranges and apples. When it comes to providing fresh, nutrient-rich food for climbers, Grajales Expeditions on Aconcagua is top-notch. The quality of food can significantly impact the success of an expedition. It's important to choose wisely when preparing for a multi-week expedition in remote areas, far from home.

Keep in mind: On high-altitude expeditions, your mindset and positive attitude are the most crucial gear you can bring.

Everything else is just for show :)

SAFETY FIRST.

Stay Safe and Happy Adventuring!