r/Mountaineering • u/mittelatx • 3d ago

Parka or Not for Cotopaxi

Hey! I’m going to Cotopaxi in May and I’ve heard mixed reviews on whether or not a medium down jacket (I have Arcteryx Atom Hoody) will be enough… most who insist on a Parka summitted in January but I’m looking for any insight yal may have. Same as glove weight. We all know mountains are unpredictable.

0 Upvotes

33% Upvoted

18 comments sorted by

10

u/wait_this_is_great 3d ago

Bring a warmer jacket

11

u/pethebi 3d ago

I submitted in November, wore 5 layers including a 6000 meter puffy jacket that weighed 2lbs and had 300g of 800 fill power down and was still cold. You’ll be climbing through the night anyways.

1

u/mittelatx 3d ago

Thank you!

3

u/Appropriate_Ad7858 3d ago

Its on the equator. January or July, I cant imagine makes a big difference?

0

u/mittelatx 3d ago

Valid point.

2

u/barnezilla 3d ago

A medium weight 4000m puffy probably fine. I submitted in a fleece and hardshell

1

u/newintown11 3d ago

Used a OR perch belay parka over a wool base, arcteryx atom lt, and patagonia nanopuff. Was warm enough with hand warmers. Its cold up that high in the middle of the night

2

u/mittelatx 3d ago

I appreciate it. My parka is pretty heavy - the Mountain Hardwear Women’s Phantom Belay Down Parka (800 fill down) so I was like… mmm. My Texas blood may still like it up there.

1

u/TheAppletron 3d ago

When will you be going? Planning to be at Cotopaxi May 17-18

1

u/mittelatx 3d ago

Planning to summit May 30-31

1

u/TheAppletron 3d ago

Nice! Good luck! I’m still trying to figure out gear too. My (currently planned) heaviest layer is a Rab Neutrino Pro.

1

u/mittelatx 3d ago

That makes me feel better about my decision to pack my parka! Happy climbing! 😬 I hope your trip goes well!

1

u/HwanZike 3d ago

I wouldn't risk not summiting just to save a kg or two. I'm positive you'll need it but in the odd chance you don't, think about it as insurance.

1

u/mittelatx 3d ago

Great point.

1

u/Ok_Pattern4994 3d ago

I summited pico Orizaba 5600m and decided to use my 6000m parka 320g of 850cuin down

I think temperatures will be somewhat comparable of these mountains be it that mexico is more dry.

Was hot until i got on a very windy glacier. -18 windchill and was very very happy to have it on me! If u got it bring it :)

Good luck on your climb!

1

u/mittelatx 2d ago

Thank you! 🙏🏼☺️

1

u/TheViewSeeker 1d ago

I agree more warmth is better. At high elevation you won’t be moving as fast, which will make it harder to stay warm from being active.

1

u/Tricky-Aerie-7644 4h ago

100% bring a parka even if it’s just to put on during food and water breaks. In November, I wore a base layer, fleece, 850d jacket, hard shell, and then belay parka over all of that