Wednesday 31 July 2013

Gear List Page


Gear List for Aconcaqua

I have not been sponsored or given any clothing or kit for free and have bought all my kit myself so have no affiliation to any brand. In fact I buy just what I have used in the past and what I find works best for me.

There are a few basic rules for gear

1, Baselayer. I use Merino wool mainly as it keeps you warm, wicks well, drys quick and doesnt smell and always feels fresh. No zips on baselayers as they could potentially freeze to your skin.

2, Mid-Layers. Must have zips to allow ventilation to aid bodycore tempreture control. Have collers to protect neck. Hoods beneficial to protect head.

3, Jackets, Must must have hood to protect head and neck as this is a vital part of protecting your body core. It can also be used to roll jacket into if required to stuff back in pack.

4, Leg outer shell, the windproof waterproof outer shell must have a full length zip. This is absolutely vital to aid in getting them on very quickly over boots and crampons in harsh cold conditions.

5, Keep things you need to get hold of frequently in your outer pockets like energy snacks, camera, sunblock. If grabbing your food is tricky then you probably wont bother eating it and end up struggling with your energy level.

6, Keep your small items like electricals in waterproof stuff bags so they dont get wet and also so they dont fall down to the bottom of the bag making it awkward to find.

The gear I will be using for Aconcaqua

Baselayers

Rab MeCo 165 Baselayer pants


The MeCo 165 Pant is a base layer pant made from 165gsm MeCo fabric.New MeCo fabric is an intimate blend of 65% ethically sourced Australian Merino wool combined with 35% recycled polyester with Cocona® activated carbon technology.
Cocona® fabric is made using natural technology. Activated carbon is derived from discarded coconut shells and other natural micro porous particles. These particles are contaned within the fibre and can not wear out or wash off. Cocona® is extremely breathable and accelerates evaporation - making them ideal for use in baselayers.
Cocona® absors a wide range of odour molecules within the activated carbon and aids the natural anti bacteral properties of Merino wool. The major benefit of MeCo blended fabrics is the vastly reduced drying time for these fabrics, this makes them excellent for use as a year round base layer and also saves washing and drying time.
The MeCo 165 Pant is an ideal winter weight base layer pant for all cold weather activities.








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Rab Meco 250 Long Sleeve top baselayer

The MeCo 250 Long Sleeve Zip Tee is the latests and heaviest addition to the MeCo range. MeCo baselayers consist of 65% merino wool blended with 35% Cocona Polyester. This version (as the name suggests) uses a 250gsm fabric that offers more warmth than the lighter MeCo fabrics but still offers the same fast drying and anti odour properties.
The MeCo 250 can be worn as a winter weight base layer or we've found it also works really well as a light midlayer especially for multi day trips when the anti odour and quick drying properties really shine through.






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Rab Baseline Hoodie
Can be used as Baselayer or Mid Layer

The Rab Baseline Hoodie is a close fitting synthetic base layer made from Polartec Power Dry.
The Baseline is designed to wick sweat incredibly quickly. Ideal for high energy activities the Power Dry fabric has a double knit construction, on the inside of the fabric is a fast wicking yarn that draws moisture from your skin to the outer fabric. The outer fabric is very quick drying allowing for fast evaporation.
The Baseline hoodie is best worn as a next to skin baselayer where the fabric can work at it's best but also works as a great lightweight mid-layer.
Thumbloops and the long cut sleeves provide great coverage for athletic moves, the hood is close fitting and will fit nder a helmet, and a zipped chest pocket is suitable for essentials.





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Cold Avenger Mask
Prevent the Khumbu Cough

If you have ever had the dreaded Khumbu cough you will know exactly why I am taking this bit of kit. I had the Khumbu cough / Hack previously and I never want to endure it again if I can help it. Numerous high altitude expeditions/climbs have been abandoned due to people getting this. It is thought to stem from your lungs been irritated by the severe cold/dry air at altitude and reduces you to a coughing machine, coughing so violantly that people have actually broken ribs they cough so hard. I remember reading this before I went to Everest before and thinking hmm, I cant see that. I never actually broke a rib, but I certainly remember thinking to myself, now I see why some people break ribs when I had it at its most violent.
There was another make a few years back (pre 2013) called PSOLAR which did the self same thing,. However their website no longer works and messages to suppliers of PSOLAR have all gone unanswered.
However the Cold Avenger mask does the exact same and after emailing coldavenger manufacturers direct they confirmed that they supply thier masks to countless expeditions in cold high altitude regions.
The term for these masks if yo want to search for alternatives is: Heat Exchanger Masks. The idea is as you breathe out, the warm air you breathe out warms an element in the mouth piece of the mask just enough so that when you breath back in, this element gentally warms the cold air just enough to prevent the cold air from irritating your lungs and hence the cough known as the Khumbu Cough

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Hunersdorf Expedition Water Bottle with blue neoprene cover

This is the trusted water bottle for extreme cold environments. Preferred (and even required by some guides) by experienced cold weather climbers and explorers. The lid has large ribs on the outside so it is easy to open with mittens or gloves the cold Because of the slightly flexible PE material, and design of the lid, they don’t have the tendency to crack in the cold as others do.

These bottles also weigh less than many other expedition grade bottles. The bottles can handle warm liquids from melting snow to water

 

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