From the vicinity of «Casa de piedra», we leave the valley of the «de las Vacas» river to follow the «de los Relinchos» river westwards. Here the slope increases and several slopes of tiresome traffic follow one another. Finally you access a meadow at 3,800 m. But it is convenient to keep going up and cross the river with its steep banks and continue up to a large square rock about 20 meters high and very characteristic. Immediately you must go down a few tens of meters, to a large esplanade very exposed to the winds, but with water and favorable for camping, Plaza Argentina 4100. Climb Aconcagua
The approach from Punta de Vacas is about 60 km and a little over 2,000 m of elevation gain. It is convenient to do it in three days.
The Times (days)
Punta de Vacas – “Leñas” Refuge: 3 to 6 a.m. – Day 1
“Leñas” Refuge – Vacas River crossing – “Casa de Piedra” Refuge: 5 a.m. to 8 a.m. – Matchday 2
“Casa de piedra” shelter – Plaza Argentina: 5 a.m. to 8 a.m. – Day 3
Access routes from Argentina
Glacier of the Poles
East Glacier Aconcagua Expedition
The Aconcagua… The Stone Sentinel… In its buried slopes, where the ice and the wind are sovereign, extremes are often touched: the beginning and the end of a path; success and failure; life and death.
Mythical mass that raises its top towards the stars, while its shadow is projected from the desert to the ocean. Scene of unusual stories, of great gestures of courage and heroism. Also debunker of vanities and fears. In this demanding environment, man shows himself as he is, there is no room for lies.
How far is it valid to risk your life to reach the top of it?
The answer only fits up there. nobody, lounging in the lukewarmness of a timorous life, can judge the one who wastes his own vitality. High-altitude mountaineering involves serious risks and whoever decides to practice it must be absolutely and exclusively responsible for their actions. Aconcagua Hike
Today mountaineering is a game. A game of fantasy and power where technique, physical ability, experience, ethics and determination converge. Mountains as mountaineering goals only exist in the imagination of man, in his fantasy. Ascension is conceived as if it were a problem and a playful solution is sought for it. The game consists of cleanly overcoming the greatest difficulties with the help of the least possible technological means with the highest degree of skill, training and audacity. Mountaineering as a means for the human being to grow. You should not fight against nature, but adapt to it, understand it, respect its rhythm and try to assimilate the power it contains. Only in this way will beautiful solutions continue to be achieved for the “big problems” of mountaineering. And only through this vision of the game, whoever plays it cleanly, will have access to unsuspected dimensions of their own being and of the whole world.