How to Pack: Huascaran Loop

What to Bring and How to Pack for one of the Highest Elevation Bikepacking adventures you could do?

Gear selection—one of the most exciting yet overwhelming aspects of cycling. With so many great options, making the right choices can be tricky. If you’ve done bikepacking or adventure riding, you’re familiar with the often opposing concepts that come into play—not just for the bike, but for all your gear:

• Performance (technical capabilities)
• Durability
• Packability
• Reliability
• Lightweight

If you haven’t read the previous articles, check them out here: A Guide to Bikepacking the Huascaran Loop and A Guide to Bikepacking the Huascaran Loop. This loop is a high-altitude, mixed-surface route in the Peruvian Andes. We packed gear for five rides—one being an out-and-back, the others forming a four-day loop. We didn’t camp, so our setups remained relatively light.

Each of the five riders had a different setup. To keep things clear, I’ll outline general takeaways and expand on individual configurations where relevant. The sections covered:

• Bikes (setups)
• Bikepacking bags
• On-the-bike clothing (riding gear)
• Off-the-bike clothing & personal care
• Tools & accessories

The Bikes

Roughly 65% of the riding was off-road, with 35% on pavement. Though we were warned about rough and technical terrain, we were lucky—the roads were freshly maintained. Or maybe we’re just used to it—Colombian gravel can be tough!

We knew climbing would be a major factor, so all our bikes were equipped with easy gearing and gravel tires larger than 700x42.

Santiago’s Darien

I chose the Darien since I hadn’t taken it on a big adventure yet and wanted to see how it handled long days with a loaded setup.

• Frameset: Scarab Darien w/ RockShox SID Ultimate (120mm travel)
• Groupset: Shimano XT, 10-51 cassette & 34T Rotor Carbon Kapic crankset
• Cockpit: Thomson MTB carbon handlebar, Pro PLT stem & seatpost, Ergon grips & saddle
• Wheels & Tires: Shimano XT wheels, Vittoria Mezcal Race 2.4”

Notes: This setup was incredibly comfortable. The gearing leaned toward the softer side—ideal for an adventure like this. The suspension and big tires were overkill for the route (no gnarly trails or singletrack), but the comfort and handling were outstanding.

Nicolás’ Páramo

Nicolás has refined this setup over the years—it’s dialed in.

• Frameset: Scarab Páramo
• Groupset: SRAM Force (mullet), 10-52 cassette & 38T chainring
• Cockpit: Full ENVE carbon
• Wheels & Tires: ENVE G27 wheels, Rene Herse Juniper Ridge (650Bx48)

Notes: Super reactive, light, and smooth on rough terrain.

Juan’s Páramo

Juan has tested nearly every possible setup—650B, 700C, 2x, 1x—you name it! His build is tailored for ultra-endurance events.

• Frameset: Scarab Páramo
• Groupset: SRAM Rival (mullet), 10-52 cassette & 38T chainring
• Cockpit: Zipp Service Course XPLR
• Wheels & Tires: ENVE AG25 wheels, WTB 700x45

Notes: A well-refined setup, built from years of experience.

Antonio’s Páramo

Antonio’s bike was designed for racing Transcordilleras. His gearing range is tighter, but it worked for him—he’s a powerhouse.

• Frameset: Scarab Páramo
• Groupset: Campagnolo Ekar, 42T chainring & Classified 11-36 cassette
• Cockpit: Full ENVE carbon
• Wheels & Tires: Classified G19 wheels, IRC 700x42

Carlos’ Páramo Ultra

Carlos had the most adventure-ready setup—easiest gearing and biggest tires.

• Frameset: Scarab Páramo Ultra
• Groupset: SRAM Force (mullet), 10-52 cassette & 34T chainring
• Cockpit: Full ENVE carbon
• Wheels & Tires: ENVE AG25 wheels, Rene Herse 700x55

Notes: The 55mm tires made long descents a dream.

Final Thoughts on Bikes

Since we lucked out with well-maintained roads, 700x42 (or equivalent) is a solid minimum for tire width. The long descents and rainy conditions make bigger tires a wise choice.

Climbs weren’t insanely steep, but the extra load from bikepacking gear makes a broad gear range essential. If I had to give general advice:
38T chainring + MTB cassette (10-52) is an ideal setup.

Bikepacking Bags

Rule of thumb: Go waterproof! We were soaked every single day.

My setup was the most complex since I carried a large camera, requiring extra planning. I went all-in on Ortlieb gear—known for waterproofing and durability—to keep my equipment safe from water and road vibrations.

The Ortlieb setup on the Darien looked like this, and it can likely be adapted to most gravel bikes:

• Ortlieb 11L Saddle Bag → Link
  Perfect for bulky layers I needed access to during the ride but were too big for the frame pack—like a puffy jacket, thick gloves, and a thermal fleece hoodie.

• Ortlieb Frame-Pack 6L → Link
  Held spare tubes, chain lube, ride nutrition, sunscreen, rain jacket, arm warmers, and camera accessories.

• Ortlieb Handlebar-Pack 9L → Link
  Dedicated to off-the-bike clothing—things I was absolutely sure I wouldn’t need while riding.

• Ortlieb Accessory Pack 3.5L → Link
  This was exclusively for my Fuji XT-5 camera. I custom-made a foam insert to protect it from vibrations. The pack attaches perfectly to the Handlebar-Pack, making it easy to access the camera on the go. Since it’s waterproof (like all Ortlieb gear), it kept my camera completely dry even in heavy rain.

Final Thoughts on the Setup

This setup worked flawlessly—everything stayed dry and secure, even in conditions beyond what we’re used to in Colombia.

It was also quick and easy to remove at night and reinstall in the morning.

One key consideration: hydration. Since I carried my camera with a riding strap, I couldn’t use a hydration vest, so I had to be extra mindful of water supply. I rode with just two bottles—one on the seat tube and another under the downtube. To swap them, I had to remove the cap of the lower bottle each time.

A potential fix? The Ortlieb Top Tube Frame-Pack → Link. It might have allowed for a third bottle, though MTB front triangles are small, so it would’ve been a tight fit.

On-the-Bike Clothing (Riding Gear)

We planned our riding gear carefully, discussing a shared packing list weeks before the trip. Unlike Colombia, this route meant constant heavy rain, so we needed specialized gear. Here's a general guide to what we brought:

On-the-Bike Packing List

• Sunglasses – A must-have for high-altitude sun radiation.
• Light full-finger gloves – General wind protection.
• Waterproof gloves – Essential in the rain.
• Kitchen rubber gloves – Sounds crazy, but thick rubber gloves over regular gloves helped when rain filtered through everything.
• Rain Jacket – I used the Café du Cycliste Suzette Rain Jacket, which performed great in heavy rain.
• 2 Bib Shorts – Bring two! Cold weather slows drying times, and a small crash could ruin your only pair. No bike shops up there!
• 2 Jerseys – Same logic as bibs.
• Merino Base Layer – Great for moisture-wicking and warmth.
• Thermal Arm & Leg Warmers – Absolutely needed at high altitudes.
• 3 Pairs of Socks – Merino is great, but drying time can be an issue.
• Non-Thermal Arm Warmers – Useful for milder conditions.
• Warm Puffy Jacket – Light, packable, and non-bulky. We used it under our rain jackets for descents.
• Light Thermal Fleece Jacket – Layered under the puffy jacket in extreme cold.
• Helmet – Non-negotiable.
• Cycling Shoes – Given the mud and dirt, gravel or MTB shoes were the best option.
• Ride Nutrition – Bring all of it! Small towns only stock basic snacks.

Off-the-Bike Clothing & Personal Care

Most afternoons and nights were spent at high elevation, where it gets cold. Towns were charming, and we did some walking to explore and get to restaurants. Bikepacking isn’t just about the ride—it’s about experiencing the places you visit.

Off-the-Bike Packing List

• Underwear – Bring extra, expect slow drying times.
• Warm Socks – Merino for me.
• Off-the-Bike Shoes (Bert)→ Link – Super packable and fit neatly in the saddlebag.
• Fleece & Puffy Jacket – Shared from the on-the-bike list.
• Merino Long Sleeve Shirt – Perfect for afternoons and nighttime.
• Light T-shirt – Barely used.
• Hiking Pants – Not too light—I wanted some cold protection.

Personal Care Packing List

• Toiletries & Hygiene Essentials
• Chamois Cream
• Sunscreen – Use a lot! High-altitude sun is intense.
• Lip Balm with Sunscreen – Protects against high winds and UV exposure.
• Basic Medicines – Some towns have limited supplies.
• Phone & Electronics Chargers
  

Tools and Accessories

As mentioned earlier, don’t expect the towns along the route to have what you need. In fact, after leaving Huaraz, we didn’t see a single bike shop. There may have been one, but cycling doesn’t seem to be common in this area. Bring at least the basics to fix things on the road.

Bike Tools and Spares

• Wolf Tooth Mini Pump → Link – This thing is just SO good! Amazing pumping action, plus it includes almost all the tools you may need for minor fixes. We used it daily to pump air into our tires each morning.
• 2 Inner Tubes
• Tire Levers
• Patch Kit – Not just for inner tubes, but also for sidewall cuts.
• Chain Link Pliers
• Chain Lube
• Small Bottle of Sealant
• Extra Tubeless Valves
• Extra Chain Quick Link
• Set of Extra Brake Pads
• Small Container of Super Glue – Instant glue can be a lifesaver on the road.
• 2 Extra Voilé Straps (mid to long size)
• A Handful of Zip Ties – These things work miracles!
• A Couple of Extra 5mm Bolts – Standard sizes for the stem, bottle cages, etc.

Extra Accessories

• Cycling Camera Strap – After lots of research, I settled on the PS Bagworks Rider Strap. It worked very well, even with the heavier Fuji XT5.
• Water Filter – We didn’t use it much, but it’s good to have.
• Cash – Bring plenty! No one, literally no one, accepts credit cards—not even hostels or hotels.
• Riding Lights – Most rides aren’t extremely long, but you never know. Always carry lights.

Closing Thoughts

Bikepacking is highly personal and situation-dependent, but for this route, “over-spec” your setup a bit. While you’ll pass through communities and small towns, don’t expect to find what you need.

Make sure your gear is in perfect working condition, especially if you have hydraulic brakes, electronic groupsets, or other complex components. Finding someone who can service or troubleshoot your bike in these remote areas will be difficult.

Finally, high-altitude weather is unpredictable. Even during peak summer, temperatures at elevation can be chilly. Pack cold-weather gear, no matter the season. A dry summer day can still feel freezing above 4,000m.