Equipment for Bolivian Peaks

[Jim]

So - I only climb the volcanoes in order to ski them so I don't even own plastic climbing boots, and have a down jacket and sleeping bag to match three season conditions in the Cascades. And I generally go the light and mildly suffer range of clothing.

 

Planning a trip to Bolivia for some mod routes and looking for advice on:

 

Boots

Down bag

Overboots?

Gloves

other essentials?

 

I'd rather purchase things I will use often but I doubt that will be the case so I'll also be looking for used items. Thanks.

[rbw1966]

Are you taking skis? If so your ski boots should be fine. I've climbed in Bolivia, Ecuador and Peru and didn't need plastic boots. I used gaitors but not overboots. I took overboots on my first trip but never used them. I wore Salomon Pro Ice boots.

 

I'm a believer in getting a good nights sleep so I dont scrimp on sleeping bags--I took the same bag with me I used in Alaska and was glad I did (-40F) because I used it with a bivvy sack in Bolivia. You could get by with a lot less if you have to.

 

 

[ivan]

i'd bet you could use a -20 bag and a bivy on mckinley and was always toasty (i'd assume you'll have down jacket too) so that would be a way to save a pound or so and some bulk

[dalius]

I climbed in the Condoriri and few routes on Huayana Potosi and didn't use anything different than I do in the Cascades. I have like a 20 degree down bag, which coupled with some hot water bottles and fleece pants, was more than toasty. Don't own plastic boots so I used my leather Scarpa Cumbre's. No overboots, no gaiters. Granted, I wasn't out in a blizzard or any screaming winds, but this kind of equipment got me by just fine. Some warm mitts is all I needed for gloves. Did a fair amount of ice climbing with them as well. I'm guessing that things can get a little cold down there, but I did not experience anything different than the Cascades (except it was a lot sunnier!).

[Jim]

Cool. That's encouraging. I have pretty lightweight boots so I'll likely go plastic and my bag is a 10 yr old packed-down thing so I could use that. Otherwise then maybe a warm pair of mitts! I had a friend that was down there and went with overboots, downpants, and such and was still cold. That was in January I think. I'm planning on July.

I also like the idea of keeping weight down and sleeping in things if needed.