Andes Ski Expedition Preparation
Planning for a trip is almost as good as actually going on one. The devil is in the details, as they say, but if you are a gear junkie like me, it’s actually quite fun to put together your arsenal for a pending adventure.
We are five souls, scattered across mountain towns in the US, coming together for a ski expedition into the unknowns of the Andes Mountains. Our team’s hope is to climb and ski some high peaks (upwards of 6,900 meters), but you never really know. Weather, mountain conditions, health, and human interaction all have a say in the outcome, so flexibility is most important.
Thus, in the midst of preparations, I turn to the reliable - Backcountry.com has become the core gear E-Tailer, and a central source for online gear knowledge. It is a great place to learn about and shop for all the best outdoor gear that is available, and a place where I do a lot of expedition miscellaneous one-stop shopping.
If you dig gear too, sign up and start reviewing at your leisure. It’s fun to help out fellow outdoor enthusiasts, and also to learn from the experience and knowledge of others.
For a sample expedition gear list, here’s my work in progress at: Gear Lists at Backcountry.com
We leave on our journey on November 20th, departing from the comforts of Mendoza, Argentina, and heading towards the adventures offered by the valleys nearby. As I pack, invariably there will be items needed, and that’s when I will turn to the gear Mecca of Backcountry.com.
To follow our journey from different perspectives: www.tetonat.com, the goat, www.havelltravels.com
Kim Havell
Photo at right courtesy of Kristoffer Erickson
Categories
Posted By: kimhavell On: November 06, 2009 At: 11:00 am
hi JH- excellent point! Thanks..need to proof my work a bit better 
One of our goals is to climb and ski Cerro Aconcagua, which is 22,841ft and 6,962meters. Being that it is the highest peak in the Andes (and the Americas), it would be a rather incredulous feat to get any higher then that.
Thanks for the well wishes!
Posted By: admin On: November 06, 2009 At: 12:12 pm
Correction has been made. Should be a great expedition. Wish I was going!
Posted By: jh On: November 06, 2009 At: 3:06 am
I’ll be impressed if you get onto peaks in the Andes “upwards of 7200m” since the highest peak in the range is 6900m.
good luck though, sounds like an awesome trip!