Aconcagua is the highest peak in the world outside the Himalayas.
Its 6,962 meters high and its incredible landscapes make it the goal of mountaineers from all over the world. The “Colossus of America” is as longed for as it is wild and in order to reach its summit we must prepare ourselves physically and mentally since it is capable of taking us to the limit of our body and spirit.
Temperatures down to -30°C
This mystical mountain is capable of punishing us with temperatures that reach -30°C, unstoppable winds of more than 100 km and as if this were not enough, we must add the effect of height that modifies our body due to the lack of oxygen. But don’t be scared! The harder the challenge, the more we will enjoy the triumph. In order for your chances of reaching the top to be high, it will be important to have specific equipment that we are going to tell you about below.
WE WILL DIVIDE THE NECESSARY EQUIPMENT INTO
CLOTHING AND EQUIPMENT FOR TREKKING
CAMP
CLOTHING FOR EXPEDITION
The Horcones (2950 meters)
The first stage of our trip will find us in the Los Horcones valley (2950) where the entrance to the Aconcagua National Park is located. During the journey to base camp, we will generally find pleasant temperatures that can range between 20°C and 30°C, so the first stage of our trip does not require clothing as complex as we will see later. Mount Aconcagua
1: CLOTHING AND EQUIPMENT FOR TREKKING
- Footwear: Waterproof trekking boots
- Foot protection: Stockings made of synthetic material.
- Pants: Removable quick-drying pants
- Shirt: Long-sleeved thermal shirt made of synthetic material.
- Superior Coat: Jacket or Windstopper diver
- Eye protection: Sunglasses
- Head protection: Hat or cap with UV filter if possible.
70 LITERS BACKPACK
It must be comfortable and of excellent quality, we are going to carry everything we will need throughout our adventure, so it must have an estimated capacity of 70L.
TREKKING STICKS
Like the backpack, the trekking poles will be our companions during the route, they will help our body to maintain balance, better distribute the weight and facilitate walking.
We can already see the base camp of Aconcagua…
PLAZA MULAS (4260 meters) Aconcagua Argentina
We reached our first big goal! We can already see the base camp of Aconcagua. Plaza de Mulas is located at an altitude of 4,260 meters and there we will find a park ranger and medical attention post.
Constantly reviewing our physical condition is essential since we are at a considerable height. Not all organisms react to the decrease in oxygen in the same way, not paying attention to the signals that the human body sends us can put our lives at risk.
The fatigue of the accumulated marches and the acclimatization to the altitude make it increasingly difficult to recover energy. Having the ideal team for the camp is going to make a difference in the stages ahead of us.