Category: aconcagua climbing

Aconcagua Climbing – A Dream Come True

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The experience begins at Puente del Inca, entrance to the Aconcagua National Park (1,900 mts.). From there, trekking to Confluencia awaits us, an intermediate camp at 3,380 mts., A couple of excursions are made, one of them to Plaza Francia (4,400mts), the base camp of the much-feared South face of Aconcagua Ascents, a 3,000 m vertical wall. Of ice, glaciers, rocks, and many avalanches.

 

From Confluencia, through Playa Ancha, after many kilometers and the final Cuesta Brava, we arrive at Plaza de Mula (4,370 mts.), The first effects of the altitude begin to be felt: headache, nausea, fatigue, lack of appetite, insomnia, dyspnea. As I now understand the ironic response of a great English climber, who was asked what training he did for his ascents to the Himalayas: “When I’m at home I try to go to a bar every day, and I try to get drunk, because that’s the feeling. that I have every time I exceed 5,000 meters. “… and it’s true, even hangover when I wake up after a sleepless night.

Already in Plaza de Mulas, after a few days of rest and two excursions: Glaciar Horcones Superior and Cerro Bonete (5,100 mts.), We began to prepare “the attack to the summit.” In the usual route or North Face of the Aconcagua treks, there are several intermediate camps, areas with slight slopes where you can camp and make the different scales of the ascent: Plaza de Mula (4,370 mts.), Canada (5,000 mts.), Change of Slope. or Alaska (5,300 mts.), Nido de Cóndores (5,500 mts.) and Berlin (5,960 mts.).

 

The attack “begins with a portage to the first high camp (tents, food and something significant, the elements to make water, hydration is essential, you have to drink up to 7 liters of water per day and this melting ice from the small glaciers). Return to Plaza de Mulas, a rest, and the beginning of the final stage. Return to high camp No. 1, where you spend a day or two, depending on the weather situation, from there to high camp No. 2, Berlin, and everything. Under one, fantastic views begin to appear, an endless horizon and the sun in the Pacific. How great are these Aconcagua Mountain guides !!

We started in Berlin very early, around 2 in the morning, with the preparations, as it is difficult to dress, make water, try to eat something. It is 5 o’clock, and we start the march; we must try to reach the summit before 2 in the afternoon; then, the Pacific winds make the situation very unstable.

How brave it is to start, how cold I feel the -26 degrees that my watch marks, and how I feel the height. We make the ascent very slowly, a few steps, a few steps on the stones and rest … the first stop is in the old Refugio Independencia (6,300 mts.), From there with light, we enter “La Travesía,” passing through the ” Portezuelo del Viento “where the Pacific currents cross, which winds 60/80/100 or more km. Per hour, it isn’t easy to walk and stand upright.

Aconcagua Climbing – Alternative Itinerary for Aconcagua

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During the trip and approach marches, a diet of fresh vegetables, meats, salads, milk, eggs, and fruits will be projected as much as possible in camp. As for the altitude menu, the dominant factor should be the choice of food by the mountaineer himself according to his tastes, always considering the caloric wealth necessary for eating at altitude. It will be complemented with some vitamin complex compensates for the diet deficiencies in some of its aspects. A fundamental factor in the diet is represented by the ingestion of at least 2 liters of liquid. In Mendoza, you can buy everything you need for food, including some dehydrated foods.

Aconcagua Guided Climb

Generally from December to March. Experience indicates that although the “peak” months are colder, their climate is more stable. A correct calculation of the time is to have several reserve days planned to wait for the right time in the storm. A “Sombrerete de humo,” white wind on the Aconcagua Summit, is a sign of a storm in height, advising not to continue ascending.

GENERAL CONSIDERATIONS

HEIGHTS AND TYPES OF LAND

How to climb Aconcagua

Mendoza, 735 meters above sea level. Capital city.

Los Puquios. Mule service for the transport of expeditions. A place for campers (in front of the Andinistas cemetery), 1 km. before Puente del Inca on the route from Mendoza.

Inca Bridge 2,730 mts. Broken. Roads, Police, Telegraph, etc. There is an inn.

Laguna Horcones, 2,900 mts. Lagoon and glacial moraines. Ranger Control.

Confluence, 3,200 meters. Broken. Animal Trail.

Plaza de Mulas Superior, 4,230 mts. Glacial moray eels. Track.

Portezuelo “Manso”, 5,200 mts. Haulage. Paths.

Refuge “Antártida Argentina”, 5,500 mts. Haulage. Paths.

Shelters 6,000 mts. Pedregal. Traces of snow.

Shelters 6,500 mts. Scree and snow.

Peñón Martínez. Pedregal, 6,600 mts.

Final gutter, 6,800 mts. Large stones. Tilt approximately 45 °.

South summit, 6,900 mts. Passages of rock, ice, snow.

North summit, 6,959 mts. Rocky. A Christian cross frames it, and an Argentine flag guards it. Aconcagua, my first high mountain !!!. Why Aconcagua? A companion asked the question of the expedition, a German, who had already done a couple of experiences in height, Mont Blanc and Kilimanjaro. I replied that the Aconcagua 360 Route is “the most” for an Argentine, the highest peak, outside the Himalayan chain, our mountain, our symbol of height, of challenge, and it is there … just there.

Now I have so much to show, so much to tell, feelings that come from its peak … over-effort meets courage.

It was not a walk; it was not a pleasure trip; it was not even something pleasant. A very high mountain, located in one of the coldest and driest regions, temperatures of -30 degrees with an ambient humidity of 5%, make it a rugged mountain to climb, so much so that the great experts consider it 8,000 meters.

But everything started lower and in stages. At this point, several issues must be considered: clothing, physical condition, acclimatization, motivation and, above all, planning

Aconcagua Climbing – How to Prevent Mountain Diseases

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For athletes who come from the plains or low altitude places, a stay of 2 or 3 days in Puente del Inca is advisable. During the visit to this area, walks and ascents can be made in adjacent hills, which contribute to better acclimatization. Another highly advisable attitude would be to arrange the shipment of the more significant load by mules to the base camp, and then the members make the journey on foot.

A moderate gait requires a walk that can be done comfortably in two days: the first to Confluencia (Horcones Inferior) and Plaza de Mulas. It is recommended to make animal reservations well in advance. Once the Aconcagua Argentina Base Camp has been installed, acclimatization practices will be carried out, the surroundings. Depending on the physical conditions, you can try the ascent of Cerro Catedral or Cuerno; failing that, the cargo can be transferred to the high altitude camps and returned to Plaza de Mulas. This practice of ascending and descending at a lower altitude greatly benefits acclimatization. According to scientific reports, the acclimatization period varies according to people .young people acclimatize worse; the best age is between 30 and 40 or 45 years old. Nervous balance is critical in acclimatization.

Another problem to consider is the descent of Mount Aconcagua. If you sleep poorly, you recover badly. Very mild sleeping pills must be administered. Suppose acclimatization is a corrective phenomenon of the elements put to the test and always compatible with life. In that case, adaptation is a harsh discipline of the organism that seeks to compensate the limits of what is possible, the elements incompatible with life: the rarefaction of the air, the decrease in atmospheric pressure, cold, dryness, alkalosis, etc.

At altitudes above 6,500 meters. (maximum acclimatization zone), the individual lives only from his reserves from the need to interrupt the stay in the high altitudes descending to the points where he can recover. In this way, with frequent rocking, acclimatization can be achieved. The maximum time to stay at that altitude can be determined without the appearance of deterioration phenomena, a severe alarm signal. The “mountain sickness” usually manifests itself through the following symptoms:

Acute malaise with headaches, nausea, vomiting, feeling sick, and feeling sick.

Brain edema with severe headache, unsteady gait, mental and visual disturbances, nausea, coma, etc.

Pulmonary edema manifested through respiratory difficulties, cyanosis, tachycardia, cough, restlessness, etc., is typical in Aconcagua.

These signs and symptoms overlap in such a way that they often occur in combination. They are stages of the same process and have a common denominator: the decrease of oxygen in the air. All these manifestations can be prevented and overcome by adequate acclimatization. Knowing the signs and symptoms of altitude sickness will allow the athlete to avoid severe disorders, even death, which can occur briefly. Patients who descend rapidly to lower heights generally recover well, which is not the case with those who do not do so in time. The recommended behavior in such cases is to descend to a lower altitude when the slightest symptom of the illness is noticed.

Aconcagua Climbing – Approximate Temperatures on Aconcagua

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The low humidity, the low percentages of oxygen, and the strong winds are just some of the most wonder characteristics of the climate of this hill. The leading causes of storms and those responsible for bad weather are fundamentally the humid winds expelled by the Anticyclone of the Pacific, which run towards the South and rise towards the West, colliding with the mountainous mass of the Cordillera, cooling and where its humidity becomes snow on the high peaks of the Andes. On Aconcagua, there are storms of snow and wind, and due to its geographical location, the most feared storms are electrical storms. The mountain ridges (the northwest sector and the top) are most visited by electrical sparks (lightning), making it challenging to stay and climb.

In the  Aconcagua Expeditions ,  strong winds blow from the West (at more than 5500 meters above sea level) that, added to the great size of the hill, form the giant and famous mushroom. This is located in the upper part of Aconcagua and can be seen from Plaza de Mulas, creating a beautiful landscape and a terrible negative forecast of strong winds and high rainfall. Approaching or entering at such times would be deadly. When coming it is advisable to leave the top of the mountain.

Even with good weather (in summer), temperatures of –20 ° C (–0.4 ° F) are recorded at night above 5000 masl. At the top, the standard temperature is –30 ° C (–22 ° F).

But when the  Aconcagua climb is visited by bad weather and by air masses from the South, Plaza de Mulas maintains an approximate temperature of –18 ° C (–0.4 ° F). In comparison, it is common in high-altitude camps to have –25 ° C (–13 ° F). Likewise, most of the nights and days at 4200 meters above sea level (base camp), you can be in shorts, while at the top you can get to be with a simple fleece; these points are the exact reference that sometimes the climate is not so harsh and harsh.

Conveniently, the mountaineer is always prepared for these sudden climatic changes. During the winter, Aconcagua is not visited. Its temperature never rises above 0 ° C (32 ° F), in addition to being hit by strong winds and constant snowstorms. Shallow temperatures are recorded in shady places on the mountain. Climbing Aconcagua  in winter would be a significant psychophysical test, and for that, you need a good team, as well as a lot of confidence and experience.

Aconcagua Climbing – Why is Aconcagua so Impressive?

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Precipitation is always in the form of snow at high altitudes, and rain is almost unknown. On some days, between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m., the air temperature near the ground rises sharply. Above a plain, vertical convection cells were produced. In the mountain range, the ascent of the air is made along the valleys and the slopes of the hills, which act as actual chimneys. The pressure on the summits drops considerably. This breeze (from the Valley) causes, in the afternoon, the formation of cumulus clouds. From January to April, the air is so dry in the Andes that the cumulus clouds are not produced despite the breeze from the Valley. At night the opposite occurs, and a cold breeze blows from the Cordillera over the Central Valley.Climb Aconcagua

Towards 35 ° south latitude, the high peaks and the area in which the summer is arid except for rare and brief storms is determined. Three phenomena characterize this part of the Andean Cordillera:

The omnipresence of fields of penitents above 4000 or 5000 meters, due to the prolonged dry season Aconcagua expedition

The little development of the snowfields. Glaciers are fed exclusively by refreezing and not by snow compression.

The abundance of underground glaciers is covered by carry-over material. The low humidity, the low percentages of oxygen, and the strong winds are just some of the most greatest characteristics of the climate of this hill. The leading causes of storms and those responsible for bad weather are fundamentally the humid winds expelled by the Anticyclone of the Pacific, which run towards the South and rise towards the West, colliding with the mountainous mass of the Cordillera, cooling and where its humidity becomes snow on the high peaks of the Andes. On Aconcagua, there are storms of snow and wind, and due to its geographical location, the most feared storms are electrical storms. The mountain ridges (the northwest sector and the top) are most visited by electrical sparks (lightning), making it challenging to stay and climb.

On the Aconcagua hike, strong winds blow from the West (at more than 5500 meters above sea level), which, added to the large size of the hill, form the giant and famous mushroom. This is located in the upper part of Aconcagua and can be seen from Plaza de Mulas, creating a beautiful landscape and a terrible negative forecast of strong winds and high rainfall. Approaching or entering at such times would be deadly. When coming it is advisable to leave the top of the mountain.

Aconcagua Climbing – Understanding the History a Bit

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A distinction must be made between folds and uplifts of the Andes Mountains. All the Andean folding was done during the Middle Cretaceous. Still, only part of its uplift continued during the third with a peneplain, which was later raised 3,000 meters from the Central Andes Aconcagua mountain guides.

The collapse of the Central Valley occurred during the Upper Pliocene, before the great ice ages, and appears to be continuing. In reality, both the Andes’ rising and the Central Valley’s sinking have been done slowly (even on a geological scale) and possibly in numerous phases. Like most Central Andes, this knot comprises acid lavas: porphyrites with visible grains but without phenocrysts. They are attributed to the Cretaceous since further east (in Polleras and Alto Yeso), the limestone layers very rich in fossils of the Lower Cretaceous are intertwined.

The potency of these layers of porphyrite is more than 3000 meters. Their stratification is horizontal, except in the southeast part, where they fall towards the east to become vertical in Cerro Tronco. During the Jurassic, Aconcagua ascents layers of very thick volcanic lavas appeared: Porphyrites in the Central Andes, porphyries, quartziferous in Patagonia. From the Cretaceous, continental sediments (schists) are today in the Patagonian Pampas, alternating with marine ones (limestones and sandstones). In the Central Andes, porphyrite effusions continue during the lower Cretaceous with some deposits of fossiliferous limestone (sometimes later transformed into gypsum) and sandstones. During the Middle Cretaceous (Senonense), the marine conglomerates of Quiriquina were deposited at some coast points. The lower third (Eocene) is continental, but in the middle third (Oligocene), there was a massive marine invasion. During the end of the Miocene and the Lower Pliocene, the remarkable effusions of andesites, trachytes, and basalts occur, both in the central border range and in all the Patagonian plateaus to the east of the mountain range. The Aconcagua treks The knot of Nevado Juncal (Argentine-Chilean border) essentially corresponds to a high rectangular table measuring 21 x 8 kilometers, elongated in a northeast-southwest direction, with a height ranging between 3,600 and 4,600 meters, with two bastions at its extremities: the Nevado Juncal to the northwest and the Cerro de Plomo group to the southwest. Five large snowdrifts almost entirely cover this high plateau. The Escondido Glacier, the three Olivares Glaciers and the Juncal Sur Glacier. The first flows north and the other four south. The climate of the Andes, in general, is determined by several factors; the Humboldt and Patagonian marine currents, the winds, and orography. The Humboldt (cold) and Patagonian (temperate) currents bathe Chile’s north and south coasts, respectively. It turns out that the winds and their orography determine the climate of the Central Andes, and since the predominant wind is the dry southwest, during the summer, there is no precipitation and not even clouds.

Aconcagua Climbing – My experience in the Highest Mountains in the World

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When in 1954, on February 25, the French Pierre Lesueur, Adrién Dagorý, Edmund Denís, Lucien Berardiní, Guy Poulet, under the command of René Ferlet, opened the route of the central spur that leads directly to the summit, it was conceptualized as the most remarkable feat of the technical mountaineering. In 1984, the French Marie Bouchard became the first woman to overcome the wall. Previously, in January 1982, a group of Yugoslavs led by Zarko Trusnovec, displaying high sportsmanship and refined technique, performed the Aconcagua 360 Route

Name’s origin

It is assumed that its immense mass will not have gone unnoticed by the primitive settlers since it stands out clearly at a distance from its neighboring colossi. Its indigenous name, and according to those who affirm that it is of Quichua origin (the language of the Inca invaders), would derive from “acon cahuak,” which would be translated as ‘stone sentinel.’ Those who root in the Mapuche (the ethnic group that lived thousands of years at the foot of the mountain range). Affirm that it comes from “aconca hué.” a Mapuche expression applied to the river of the same name, which is said in Chile, ‘comes from the other side. ‘since ancient beliefs assumed that the Aconcagua river was born on the slopes of the mountain of the same name. The highest peak in America has been located in the department of Las Heras, belonging to the province of Mendoza (Argentine Republic). According to the “diversion aquarium” system (‘water divider’), it does not constitute an international limit since its waters run entirely towards the Argentine territory. How to climb Aconcagua

It is surrounded to the west and southwest by the Quebrada and the Valle de Los Horcones, which serve as the bed of the river of the same name; on the south side. The lower Quebrada de Horcones; to the north and east the Valley of Las Vacas, running through the homonymous river; On the eastern slopes, the stream of the neighs is born, which will swell the waters of the Vacas River.

The Aconcagua Guided Climb is not a volcano; it is a wide pedestal of marine sediments covered by an andesitic volcanic mass that forms part of its summit. It is a high massif that culminates in two peaks, north, and south, the first of which is the highest. It is located approximately between 70 ° west longitude and 32 ° 40 ‘south latitude, in Argentine territory. There is some controversy regarding its exact height due to the diversity of measurement systems and their margins of error.

According to the Geodesic Commission of the Faculty of Exact Sciences of the University of Buenos Aires, it has a height of 6961 m, with an error of 1 meter. In the surroundings, many peaks exceed 5000 meters, in which it is possible to apply all kinds of techniques, from straightforward ascent to rock and ice climbing.

Aconcagua Climbing – Glorious Mount Aconcagua

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Aconcagua Argentina is the highest peak in South America and the Highest Mountain in the world outside of Asia. With these parameters, it is included in the circuit called “Siete Cumbres” or “Seven Summits” (which consists of climbing the highest peaks of each continent).

We understood that if the physical state allows an expedition to Aconcagua, it cannot remain pending; here is one of our references. It is located in Argentina in the Province of Mendoza at a longitude of 69º 59′ West and a latitude of 32º 39′ South. The origin of the name Aconcagua derives from the Aymará, Kon-Kawa (Mount Nevado).

The Araucanas, in Chile, gave it the same name as the river they called Aconca-Hue (it comes from the other side). The Aconcagua meaning “Stone Sentinel” comes from the Quechua Akon-Kahuak. Ascending this beautiful Mountain, you can appreciate the neighboring peaks, and it is an excellent way to experience a dazzling view of the spectacular Mountains of the Andes Mountains.

It is a mountain that offers a diversity of exciting routes for climbers of all abilities.

The normal or northern route physically presents a reasonably demanding ascent that incorporates mountaineering logistics on a large mountain. The Aconcagua route through the Los Polacos Glacier is a climb with altitude and of moderate difficulty for the intermediate climber. This climb requires knowledge of ice techniques and, at the same time, provides good training and experience in height for those who want to try themselves in the Himalayas. Regardless of the route option, the high altitude and potentially extreme weather challenge the climber on the challenging ascent of Aconcagua.

Excellent physical condition, proper acclimatization, good logistical service, and the excellence and reliability of experienced guides increase everyone’s chances for success.

Indeed, Mount Aconcagua is the “Roof of America” ​​and measures 6962 meters, a height that corrects the previous mark of 6959 that persists as an indicative sign on National Route 7 at the point of the viewpoint.

In Argentina, Aconcagua also holds the record for being the highest Mountain outside the Asian continent where the Himalayan giants are.

It borders the Valle de las Vacas and the West and South with the Valle de Los Horcones Inferior to the north and east. The Mountain has several glaciers, the most important are the northeastern or Polish glacier and the eastern or English glacier. The view of these photographs are towards precisely the first of these, these being one of the most fearsome and difficult routes to climb along with the south wall.

It is located within the Aconcagua Provincial Park, and it is a mountain much frequented by mountaineers from all over the world, this year again, the influx of visitors has set a new record: more than 8000 permits to ascend.

Geological studies place the elevation of Aconcagua 200-280 million years ago. It is debated whether it comes from the Araucano Aconca-Hue or the Quechua Ackon Cahuak. This last name means “Stone Sentinel”.

Aconcagua Climbing – My shared Aconcagua itinerary

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Day 6: Rest day – Preparation of the ascent to Plaza de Mulas of our Aconcagua climb.

We take a quiet first day at Base Camp with plenty of time to rest, bathe, and explore the local terrain to get used to the altitude.

Day 7: transport to Canada

We gained 650m with a heavy load on this challenging day, walking thankfully for easy terrain. After leaving our equipment, we will return to the Base Camp to take advantage of the comfort and the lower altitude.

Day 8: Rest day – Preparation of the ascent to Plaza de Mulas

We take our last day of rest at Base Camp to regain strength, recover and make final preparations for climbing Aconcagua

Day 9: Camp Plaza Canada

The following day we get up early to start our ascent. We walked to Camp 1, called “Plaza Canada.” By now, the party should feel acclimatized, but we will be aware of the altitude and maintain a suitable rhythm.

Day 10: Nido de Cóndores Camp

Camp 2, called “Nido de Cóndores,” is located on a high pass at 5400 m

Day 11: Take to Colera

Today we take equipment to Camp 3, called “Camp Colera.” After leaving the equipment, we return to Camp 2 to sleep and give our bodies more time to adjust to the altitude.

Day 12: Camp Colera

We hiked for 4 hours to Camp 3 at North Ridge. We spent the afternoon getting ready for our tents, eating, and resting. We assess our status and make preparations for the summit.

Day 13: Summit of Aconcagua

This is the most challenging day of the expedition. We climb the North Mountain Range to the Independencia Refuge at approximately 6500 m. We ascend through the “Portezuelo del Viento,” we climb “La Canaleta,” and the “Filo del Guanaco,” which takes us to the summit. This hard work rewards us with a 360 ° view and an overwhelming sense of success against all odds. We descend to Camp 3 to spend the night.

Day 14: Buffer Day

Free days in case of bad weather conditions. We spend an additional three days to increase our chances of reaching the top, which risks delays due to weather, altitude, and unforeseen circumstances.

Day 15: Buffer Day

Free days in case of bad weather conditions. We spend an additional three days to increase our chances of reaching the top, which risks delays due to weather, altitude, and unforeseen circumstances.

Day 16: Return to Plaza de Mulas

We descend from Colera to Base Camp. We will enjoy a great dinner to celebrate our Aconcagua expeditions.

Day 17: Return to Mendoza

Return from base camp to Penitentes and return to Mendoza city.

From here, we take private transportation to the hotel in the city of Mendoza, where we will have our last dinner together.

Day 18: Fly home

We have breakfast at the hotel, transfer to the airport and say goodbye to Argentina.

Aconcagua Climbing – Day by day on Aconcagua

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Climb Aconcagua, the rooftop of the southern hemisphere.

Benefit from a fully qualified and experienced mountain guide.

The Normal Route is known as the easiest option to conquer the summit.

Description

Conquer the roof of the southern hemisphere by climbing the incredible Andean mountain of Aconcagua, the second-highest peak in the world after Everest.

It measures 6,960 meters (22,837 feet) and earns a place among the Seven Summits.

Our 18-day Aconcagua Expedition takes us along the Plaza de Mulas route, the normal route, and considered the easiest, to the top. This also gives us appropriate time to acclimatize as we ascend.

We will pass through the long and dry valley of Horcones while constantly ascending through high mountain passes. We will know incredible views of the Andes mountain range from all angles.

Near the summit, we will climb the north ridge towards the Independencia Refuge. We will ascend Portezuelo del Viento, we will ascend La Canaleta and then Filo del Guanaco. This path takes us to the spectacular summit of Aconcagua.

When we reach the top of Argentina, South America, and the southern hemisphere, we are rewarded with incredible panoramic views and an overwhelming sense of success.

Even though this route is easier compared to others, in addition to being a non-technical approach, it still requires an excellent level of fitness and some mountaineering experience. In addition, the weight of our backpacks ranges from 40 to 60 pounds on some days to 15-20 pounds on the day of the summit. Therefore, experience in carrying these weight levels is recommended.

Get in touch now to get your spot on an incredible 18-day rooftop expedition in the southern hemisphere and delight in the impressive Andean landscape that accompanies us along the way.

Day 1: Mendoza

Our expedition begins in Mendoza, Argentina. We’ll meet at the airport and transfer to the hotel in the city. We will go over the itinerary one more time and get acquainted with the group and the area.

Day 2: Penitentes

We obtain individual entry and park permits. And travel to Penitentes, where we will stay in a hotel in the mountains. We prepare ourselves and our equipment for transport to base camp by mule.

Day 3: Confluencia Camp

Today we go to Horcones Park, where we can enjoy our first view of the Aconcagua hike. After checking our permits at the ranger station, we started walking towards Confluencia, a 4-5 hour hike.

Day 4: Plaza Francia

We use this day to do an acclimatization process and increase our chances of reaching the summit. We hike for 5 hours to Plaza Francia, the base camp of the imposing South Wall of Aconcagua. We return to the Confluencia camp.

Plaza de Mulas Base Camp

Today is a challenging 8 to 9-hour walk through “Playa Ancha.” We climbed a very steep path to reach Plaza de Mulas, the largest base camp in Aconcagua Park. Most of us will feel the altitude.