Essential Gear for Your Patagonia Trip

Outdoor
by Julie Schwietert Mar 14, 2009
Planning a trip to Patagonia—the southernmost reaches of Chile and Argentina—can be daunting for the novice trekker.

Unless you’re talking with Jamie Abish, self-described “adventure capitalist” and owner of Tent and Trails, an outdoor outfitter store in Manhattan. “We can outfit an entire expedition from the store,” Abish says. Taking a glance at the gear hanging from the ceiling to the floor, I believe it.

Manhattan isn’t the first place that comes to mind when one thinks of outdoor experts—Portland and Seattle likely vie for that title—but Abish’s staff know what they’re talking about… and what they’re selling.

“Five men who were sherpas in Nepal work here,” she says.

And Craig– the employee who’s about to show me the essential gear for a Patagonia trip– he’s been just about everywhere.

So when he talks about temperature ranges of sleeping bags, it’s not some well-memorized sales pitch.

The man had to keep warm while camping out in frigid Arctic Sweden.

Abish and her staff estimate that a Patagonia trip for the first time trekker who wants a full gear-up will cost about $800-$1,000.

The gear list Tent and Trails provides here totals $1,128.00 in the store (before taxes) but some of the items listed are more for comfort than necessity.

You can gear up with Abish and her staff in person or online at www.tenttrails.com.

You can also order most of the gear through Amazon.

  • 9″ SAM Splint – You don’t want to need this, but you don’t want to be without it if you do.
  • Pocket Rocket – A highly effective one-burner stove for all kinds of weather conditions.
  • Natrapel Plus 4 Oz – …but if you’re DEET averse, recommends this natural repellent.
  • Polar Pure Water Disinfectant– Though Abish likes the Steri-Pen, she notes that it’s always good to carry two or more different water treatment devices in case one fails, which is especially important in extreme weather conditions.

Contact Information

Tent and Trails
21 Park Place
New York, New York 10007
212-227-1760
www.tenttrails.com

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