I have gotten new gear for the climb to Aconcagua! Buying climbing gear is as exciting as the climb.  I have stocked up another set of gloves – a baselayer glove (mid weight) and a fleece glove and a new pair of high altitude mountain boot.

When up in the mountain, anything possibly bad can happen might just happen. Because the climb is long, there is always a possibility of losing gear, or have no time to do laundry. So having spare gear helps. I owned two pairs of Marmot Fleece gloves, and I simply love them. It helps with my decision to get new gloves when I spotted my favourite gloves at Campers’ Corner come in different colors.

Baselayer glove (black – right) + a Fleece glove is one of the best layering system to keep my hands warm

With the new addition, I now have two pairs of lighweight baselayer, two pairs of midwight baselayer gloves and 3 pairs of fleece gloves (I have more actually, but my fav has been the Marmot ones). On a typical trekking day with the sun above me, I will trek with a pair of lightweight baselayer glove, and will add on a fleece glove when it gets colder. If I will to start my climb in the middle of the night, I will use my midweight baselayer together with a fleece glove. This layering system works very well for me. Layering system applies not just on our body, we need it for our hands and feet too. It is not advisable to put on just one piece of thick glove hoping that it can keep our hands warm.  The baselayer helps to retain heat within our palm. Same goes to our feet, the baselayer socks help to retain heat. Keep the baselayer dry, change it if it gets wet due to perspiration or what ever shit happens.

Barunste, La Sportiva

Another new addition to my gear box. Please welcome my new pair of mountain boots – Barunste, one of the best reviewed high altitude boot. It is suitable for climbs up to 7000m. It is unlike plastic boots that feel so hardy, the inner boot is soft and easy on the feet. What I like best is the lacing system of the inner boot. It is a simple pull-and-wrap-round-and-stick-to-velco system. No need knots or hitches to stay fastened. No more worrying about having cumbersome gloves while fastening the lace. Can’t wait to try it out on the snow field.

Baruntse with crampon (G12)