Category: aconcagua climbing

Aconcagua Climbing – Adventures in the Cordillera

Posted on by Aconcagua

They did a 12-day Aconcagua mountain guides through the normal route, through the Horcones valley and Plaza de Mulas, and following the method of Gastón, who prefers to put the camps at a lower altitude, to sleep well and make longer ascents during the day. During the first days, they left calmly to get used to the mountain and its height. But there was also time to enjoy fantastic dinners, such as salmon and steaks, accompanied by a glass of excellent local wine.

As the days passed, the Aconcagua Ascents began to be more demanding. This is how, on the ninth day of the expedition, they started the push to the summit from Nido de Cóndores. Oleksii, well trained and well acclimatized, was doing well, until the ascent became complicated in the final part of the ascent, on a hill called ‘La Canaleta’:

“I was walking alone, staring at the ground, and I had to ignore the voices in my head telling me to stop, to turn around. So I kept going, taking it to step by step, not thinking of anything other than putting one foot in front of the order, and keep moving. And it was worth it: when I reached the top, I felt the most powerful emotion of my life”.

And the reward was priceless: a breathtaking 360 ° view of mountains, glaciers, and white fields, with the beautiful figures of peaks such as Cerro Mercedario and Cerro Tolosa. And a sense of satisfaction known only to those who once made an effort like that.

On the way down, there was time to relax. They enjoyed and were lucky enough to see condors and guanacos, and they had an excellent party with pizza and wine in the Plaza de Mulas. Oleksii even met other Ukrainians there! Here’s what he said: “In places like base camp, you meet a lot of interesting people who are usually all there for the same purpose, overcome a challenge and conquer.”

We are very happy that we were able to help Oleksii find the ideal mountain guide for him and reach the top of his Aconcagua treks. It is a great challenge and a life-changing experience, but as it is not a technical promotion, it is a dream that can come true if you take it seriously, with excellent preparation and the right advice and guidance.

Looking for more information on this epic climb in the Andes? Don’t miss this helpful blog post with everything you need to know to climb Aconcagua and learn about routes, weather, difficulty, equipment, preparation, and costs.

Aconcagua Climbing – Total experience in Aconcagua

Posted on by Aconcagua

For anyone interested in mountaineering, Aconcagua 360 Route is a great name. Every year, the highest mountain outside the Himalayas attracts people from all over the world during its climbing season, which runs from November to March. Anyone looking for a mountain challenge sooner or later faces Aconcagua.

That is what happened to Miroslav, a Russian living in Scotland. The sporty, running guy is always looking for a challenge, call it a marathon or an Aconcagua guided climb. Since his childhood, the mountains were part of his life when he spent several vacations in ​​Mount Elbrus and the summit at the age of 14. For this reason, since the idea of ​​Aconcagua first crossed his mind, he put all his efforts into reaching the top.

In preparation, he climbed Kilimanjaro, in Tanzania, three months before going to Argentina. He did well with the physical challenge, and the high altitude was not a problem for him. The next step was the final stretch to make the Aconcagua dream come true. And for that, he needed to find the perfect mountain guide to take him to the top.

Here the mountain guide Juan Gomez enters the scene. He found his profile while browsing Explore-Share and wrote to him. It was the end of November 2015, and 2 months later, they were already at the Mendoza airport to go to the ‘Stone Sentinel,’ the Rock Sentinel, as Aconcagua is often called. How to climb Aconcagua?

But Juan is not just another guide. He is one of the central historical figures of Chilean mountaineering. He was part of the first Chilean expedition to the Himalayas in 1979, and when he went with Oleksii, it was his 36th time on the “roof of America.” The kind of guy that kids who are getting into the world of guides look up to, and not just in Chile. This year, he plans to ascend Mount Cho Oyu, one of the 8000-meter peaks in Nepal.

So it’s not a bad start if you want your Aconcagua experience to be a good one. Gastón picked up Oleksii at the airport and, after processing the permits, they headed directly to Penitentes. In this small ski resort, most people spend the night before starting the expedition. They were lucky enough to avoid a landslide that blocked the road a few hours after their passage, so good luck was on their side. The group was of 3: Oleksii, Juan, and Francisca, a student of Juan who was there as an assistant and to learn in the field, and according to Oleksii, he was a great help and a critical factor in the success of the expedition.

Aconcagua Climbing – How to build your gear without problems

Posted on by Aconcagua

We must bear in mind that to climb Mount Aconcagua we will have to, if necessary, adjust our footwear with gloves on, the boots we choose must meet that requirement. With the heat we emit when we walk, the inside of our double boot can get wet. The usual tactic is to put the inner booties with us in the sleeping bag overnight, leaving the carcass on the outside.

In the morning they will be dry and hot. The same is true for stockings. As important as the clothing and our camping equipment is the technical material. The use of technical equipment is essential to be able to overcome all the eventualities that we may encounter.

Technical Equipment for Aconcagua

Crampons

Helmet

Ice axes

First aid kit

Razor

Thermal bottle

Miner lantern

Attack backpack 20L

Hand and foot warmers

Tips and equipment to climb aconcagua cheap and some electronic devices

Bear in mind that with such low temperatures, electronic devices tend to discharge their battery in a very short time. Keeping them close to body heat will lengthen their wearing time.

Have professional advice.

Having professional advice, the necessary equipment and the right companions are issues that every lover of this sport should be clear about when drawing up their goal.

Aconcagua has witnessed great values ​​of companionship, acts of courage and innumerable experiences of personal improvement.

Crowning its peak is one of the most important achievements in mountaineering.

GO IN POST OF OUR OWN SUMMIT …

We believe that each person should go after their own summit and we want to accompany you on your way.

In interforces we are adventurers by nature and we have many friends with whom we share our passion.

We hope that this information and study that we did, meets your objectives and helps you. It is not advisable to go to the highest hills of the Andes Mountains, without a great deal of respect and veneration.

At 6960 m, Aconcagua is the highest mountain outside the Himalayas, and is suitable for hikers.

It takes at least 15 days to climb to the top, including acclimatization time to the altitude. The traditional ascent is by the northwest route, through a 40 km path from the Laguna de los Horcones; the Polish Glacier route is longer (76 km) and harder, but more scenic and less crowded. The south face route is a demanding technical climb.

Only expert climbers should tackle Aconcagua without the security of an organized circuit, and even so, many hire guides who know the changing weather of the mountain

Aconcagua Climbing – Training is vital for the mountain

Posted on by Aconcagua

Aconcagua hiking circuits are enabled through the Horcones lagoon, tracking to Confluencia camp, at 3,200 meters, where camping is only allowed for a maximum of two nights.

In addition, you can visit the Matienzo waterfall, an area of ​​particular beauty in the high mountains that is located at 2,900 meters above sea level.

They are accessible prices for national tourists since for foreigners it is much more extensive.

For its part, in the area, we can find Pumas (Puma), mountain mice, foxes, lizards, toads, guanacos (Lama guanicoe), and introduced hares can live or hibernate in their skirts, and several species of eagles and some hawks are seen flying overhead.

The condor of the Andes (Vultur gryphus) and the Andean or spiny toad (Rhinella spinulosa) are some of its most iconic inhabitants.

Since 1983 Aconcagua and its immediate surroundings make up the Aconcagua Provincial Park, protected by the Argentine government, which intends to preserve the natural and cultural values ​​of the site. Aconcagua is the highest peak in America. Its 6,962 meters high rise majestically between the Principal mountain range, which is part of the Andes and separates Argentina from Chile.

Although part of the mountain is on the Chilean side, it is on the Argentine side where the entrance to the Park is to do an Aconcagua Mountain guides and where the best views are obtained. The closest city to Aconcagua is Mendoza. The capital of beauty and Malbec wine, it lives far from the glamor of this mountain because it cannot be seen from the city. You have to travel part of National Route 7 to see the top for the first time, probably covered with snow.

During the first kilometers of the Aconcagua treks, it is possible not to see the mountain clearly, since sand storms are common and the air is not clean.

You have to bear in mind that the entire region that surrounds Mendoza is desert. If you get there by plane, you will see it right away. There is very little vegetation, so the water is well used.

The entrance to the Aconcagua Provincial Park is about 114 miles from Mendoza and has more than 65,000 hectares that protect and conserve by the Mendoza government.

From the beginning, you will see impressive images. Every hill is different from the next; they have hundreds of colors and other shapes. Plus, the river of meltwater has formed impressive vertical walls over the years.

It is demanding that you won’t feel like stopping at each curve to take photos or videos. Besides, you will quickly discover a train track, which is no longer used. This road accompanies the road all the way, sometimes very close and sometimes far away, but they never get separated.

You hope that a train will pass at some point, but you end up disappointed when you see the track invaded by stones or cut by some landslide. At El Puente del Inca, you will pass over the ways.

Your mind must also be trained for the mountain

Posted on by Aconcagua

Due to the distance and the road has many curves, it is vital to leave Mendoza first time in the morning. The trip, without stopping, is three hours. The treks usually include stops in restaurants that are also prominent such as Puente del Inca or the Potrerillos reservoir.

The trip runs entirely along National Route 7 and is not tiresome since the landscape is spectacular. The Puente del Inca is a protected area, very close to the entrance to the Park, where you will start your Aconcagua Expedition.

It is a rocky formation suspended over the Las Cuevas River at the height of 27 meters. It is made up of sediments and other types of materials. Under the shape, there are stalactites. Since 2006, the passage through the bridge has been prohibited due to landslides and cracks in the rock. For years the waters of the river were used as hot springs since it has healing properties. Experts believe that water produced water stress to the bridge, which together with the passage of goods caused the cracks that led to its closure.

Around the bridge, some shops sell local products, and many others serve food. Barely more than 100 people live in this town, many of them stationed in the barracks. Of all the wonders in Argentina, one of the most impressive is the Aconcagua peak, which earned the nickname “Sentinel of America” ​​for its 6,962 meters high, making it the highest mountain on the continent. The Aconcagua hike is located in Las Heras, where it can only be accessed by car through provincial route 7 (3 hours of travel) from the capital of Mendoza.

If you want to do an Aconcagua Guided Climb, You should know that the hill has different faces for its ascent, some relatively easy, others on the contrary, indeed for experienced climbers. Anyway, it is necessary to hire the guide’s services and carry out the ascents in a group, always following the rules of the mountain; many of them were devised and rethought based on the experience of its climbers. The so-called “normal route” is to ascend the north face of the hill; the adventure begins at the Puente del Inca (entrance to the Aconcagua National Park, 1,900 meters).

On this route, no climbing techniques are needed but somewhat stealthy and constant trekking that is animated with the use of poles and all the essential equipment to climb. Those who start the famous “normal route” pass through different mountain camps, where they rest until they are in adequate physical conditions to continue climbing. It must be borne in mind that as one ascends, oxygen decreases significantly, so it is necessary to go acclimatizing to these changes. What is recommended is to do it in the different camps that I detail below: Base Camp (also known as Plaza de Mulas) at 4,300 meters, El Semáforo, Piedras Conway, Plaza Canada, La Piedra at 5,000 meters, Change of Slope, Nido de Cóndores at 5,250 meters, is a vast sector where the rocks serve as protection against the wind, here you can also see small frozen lagoons.

Aconcagua Climbing – What if I fail in my summit attempt?

Posted on by Aconcagua

By the route, you will arrive at the Berlin camp (a shelter with a capacity for six people), Piedras Blancas, Piedras Negras, Independencia, Portezuelo de Los Vientos. In the latter, the strong currents of the Pacific begin winds that go from 60 to 100 kilometers per hour, which makes it difficult to walk and be able to stay upright. Then it is followed by the Great Crossing and the last one before the summit: La Canaleta at 6700 meters. These previous 300 meters have a significant slope of loose rocks that make the Aconcagua Ascents very difficult.

This last section of the Aconcagua climb is necessary with crampons; it is the most demanding and extremely careful point. The Canaleta must be approached from its left side, climbing through small glaciers like this until the Cuesta del Guanaco, the ridge that separates the two summits (the South 6,950 meters and the North 6,962 meters). In this area, an estimated oxygen deficiency is 30% to 40% of normal. But all the effort will have its great reward when reaching “the roof of the Andes.”

Climbing Aconcagua through the “Normal Route” or North Face of Aconcagua, it must be taken into account that it is a 40-kilometer gravel path (from the Horcones lagoon) takes at least 15 days to climb to the top, including the acclimatization time to the altitude.

Experienced climbers only visit the other route of ascent called “Glaciar de Los Polacos.” The trek this is done is by taking the Valley of the Cows. It crosses to the base of the Polacos Glacier, and from there, it crosses the normal route, but a final climb begins to the summit. This highly technical trail is 76 kilometers long.

The “southern wall” is the most challenging access road to the summit on Aconcagua. They are 78 kilometers, and their maximum difficulty materializes when it ends in one of the most extensive walls in the world (3000 meters of a wall). Getting up this route is something for a select few; it is a very committed and technical climb through rocks, ice, and glaciers.

The first ascent of the South Wall was made on February 25, 1954, by the French Pierre Lesueur, Adrien Dagory, Edmond Denis, Robert Paragot, Lucien Berardini, and Guy Poulet. The head of the expedition was René Ferlet.

For the descent, half the time that has been used in the ascent is usually calculated. However, exhaustion often causes that time to lengthen, so you should anticipate the duration of this while ascending.

Aconcagua Climbing – Dreams come true

Posted on by Aconcagua

It is vital to know that those who have a diet regulated or reduced in variety, either by choice or by health (celiacs, diabetes, etc.). At altitude, everything is magnified and intensified; the calorie consumption for climbing Aconcagua up. It is gigantic, and therefore, most of these people should have to incorporate mandatory protein supplements. This refers to compulsory consultation with nutritionists who are suitable for high-altitude nutrition.

The statistic of classic vegans who have reached the summit on the Aconcagua Expeditions is very low. The word attitude is rooted in the terms altitude sickness, acute mountain sickness (MAM), Soroche, apunamiento, puna, puna sickness, and several others. The truth is that they all go hand in hand with the word Hypoxia, which is the lack of oxygen that causes the altitude.

The pressure decreases as we go up, affecting the quality and quantity of oxygen since the pulmonary alveoli cannot transport the same amount of oxygen to the blood as normal.

That is why you get off suddenly at the El Alto de La Paz airport (Bolivia). You immediately feel that you are very agitated. Then come headaches, nausea or insomnia, and many other symptoms part of this process called Bad Acute of Mountain. There are several levels in it, the first symptoms, the middle and the serious ones; when the serious ones approach, we are close to contracting the two most dangerous diseases of the altitude: Pulmonary and Cerebral Edema.

The summary indicates that it is necessary to progress calmly, slowly, and conscientiously in the mountain of altitude. This means you have to go up and sleep without making great efforts or great slopes; the recommended thing is usually not to exceed 700/800 meters of unevenness between camps. This can generally be done in the mountains with such geographic possibilities and that the place allows it if protected. In Aconcagua, only one camp exchange cannot comply with this rule along the distance traveled.

Aconcagua climb does not usually last less than 15 days (ideal 18) mainly because of the acclimatization system that must be implemented. From Plaza de Mulas, the method used to go up to the high fields, be it Canada, Cambio de Pendiente, Nido de Condores, Berlin, or Cholera, often is very strategic. That is why companies tend to have different styles and forms to face the final stretch of the expedition. The possibility of getting to know my group a few weeks before, the previous contact with the guides, the team’s assembly in advance, everything can add up to improve the mood. The summit day is the key, in every sense. I can be well acclimatized, well trained, well hydrated, well eaten, and well in everything, but not wholly convinced that I can achieve the goal. Many times it is this aspect that ends up infecting the body and therefore the inner voice that He tells you: “it’s better to come back, those who love you are waiting for you downstairs, why continue any longer if it’s okay up to here, you can come back next summer …”.

The Most Important Thing Will Always be Your Health

Posted on by Aconcagua

A subject that is always complicated is clothing and equipment, which I am not used to; much more when we sit down to do numbers and we realize that there is an increase in the budget of the expedition. The gear used to go to the mountain is not the same as that we employ in the city or our daily life, and this has to do mainly with the environment (environment-place) and the activity to be carried out.

To do any  Aconcagua Mountain guides , we must have all the equipment we can take to a mountain that can have all climates together. Usually, the expedition is divided into two parts: the first is the trekking to the Plaza de Mulas base camp and the days of stay and acclimatization in it, and the second is the attack to the summit and the passage through the different camps of height , no longer the comfort that we can have in base camp.

Whether we hire company guides or go without assistance, the general equipment can vary between adding to the team: high mountain tents, kitchen equipment with special heaters, pots, food, and the hiring of mules and porters for our  Aconcagua Ascents .

We will base ourselves in principle on three types of footwear: trekking, rest, and high mountain. The trekking is the one that we will use in almost all the walks in the first stage. That of rest is that when we are in the tents, in the base camps. The high mountain is used in almost all the marches over the base camp.

For clothing / apparel, we are going to use the onion system, the layer system.

The backpacks of our  Aconcagua Treks  must be no less than 60 liters for trekking or expedition trekking. Although there are porters with mules and porters (humans who transport equipment), each one must be as autonomous as possible and carry his equipment; It is also essential to have space to store clothes as we unwind.

High mountain sleeping bag, mat, headlamp, helmet, crampons, category four glasses, goggles, and poles are other essential elements when embarking on the expedition. It is known that if you do not drink a good amount of liquid at altitude, you are “baked.” But it must always be emphasized again. In the city or in our daily life outside of the mountain environment where we can carry out some sporting activity, we do not usually ingest a lot of fluids. However, it is recommended not less than 2 to 3 liters depending on the body mass index (the ratio of the height Weight). Above 3000 masl, the number increases, and dehydration becomes more noticeable because fluid is lost through respiration twice as fast as at sea level.

Aconcagua Climbing – The Best Experience Ever

Posted on by Aconcagua

We define it as the activity that makes us work on cardiovascular endurance, which makes us reach the limit with lung capacity and high pulsations in a prolonged period of no less than 30 continuous minutes — examples: running, swimming, cycling.

Power-strength: Exercises that give us specific work. Spinal, push-ups, etc.

Backpack: Training while carrying an expedition backpack is always cheerful. Fundamental for a good  Aconcagua Guided Climb

It is convenient to start with no less than 7 kg + the backpack’s weight, but the most significant thing is to know how to adjust the straps well and the correct size. The backpack is not the same for a woman or man who weighs less than 50 kg and measures 1.60 than for a man of 85 kg and 1.80; remember that it is vital to get backpacks for everyone’s body. These exercises may be done on stairs.

Technical: we can include everything related to the terrain (ideal for an  Aconcagua 360 Route), walk on an unstable slope, with loose stones such as hauling, with snow or ice, with sections of rock or exposed edges. Also, work with the balance of the body. This will give us much more security when walking down the slopes and gutters of Aconcagua or any other mountain. Output: It provides us with the practice we need and see where we stand with the training process. Take a walk in the mountains, the forests of Patagonia, the slopes of Mendoza and San Juan, or any other undulating place that will allow us to close the circle. One of the 5 points that I usually present as a difficulty for activities in the mountains is psychological or mental. It is not easy to spend 18 days without knowing almost anything about your loved ones and living with people who do not have the customs or habits.

Several situations in an expedition can condition our performance and throw away the exhaustive preparation work of weeks and months.

The feeling of loneliness when we ask ourselves  How to climb Aconcagua , the tiny connection with those of my group, the contact with the unknown, missing your loved ones, the rules of coexistence in a hostile environment, the extended overnight stay in a tent, an Alone or in the company of someone “forced” and mainly the negative sensations that the climate may cause me, such as height, wind, and extreme cold. We have to work on the previous one with our head, so the exits that I can add before will be very useful for this.

Aconcagua Climbing – Learn to trust yourself at 7000 meters

Posted on by Aconcagua

With more than 6,962 meters high, Aconcagua Argentina is the most imposing mountain in the range. This does not go unnoticed since almost from anywhere in Mendoza; you can see its top. Climbing Aconcagua is an extreme sport and a challenge for professional athletes who spend years training. However, this is not an impediment for you to see it up close. You can visit the Aconcagua Provincial Park, reach its base, and enter one of its trails surrounded by nature. This is one of the activities in Mendoza that will leave you open-mouthed and wanting to take thousands of photos. Climbing this mountain can mean the magical entrance to this select group of Dreams to Fulfill.

Mount Aconcagua is the giant mountain in America, the Southern Hemisphere, and the Western Hemisphere. Beyond these mere numerical and statistical descriptions that also caress the 7000 meters above sea level, this prominent elevation keeps countless beautiful landscapes and stories that can become part of some of the most significant and extraordinary paragraphs of our life. Do you want to get closer to knowing her? Do you want to prepare to live it? Do you want to relight your enthusiasm? Do you want to get on a challenge that will mark you forever?

I present to your stages, moments, keys, or simply points that can collaborate and definitively clarify the path. In the previous one, to reach the day you find yourself delivering the ascent permit at the Horcones or Punta de Vacas section, there is the genesis of your expedition so dreamed of. It is always essential to have some experience in having ever been in the mountains, although the most important thing first is to walk on different terrains with loose stones such as hauling, rather than forcing yourself to go up.

First, the basics put on a backpack and trekking for two or more days, then move on to the altitude ascent. Perhaps some will be reached with a couple of outings, maybe others need a few more, and perhaps some privileged (never recommended) can ascend the Colossus of America without ever having done a trek to Sierra de la Ventana in their lives. One of the tips to success in the mountains always has to do with being physically well. We have just mentioned the technical in the previous point, which is trained by going out on the field and not at home, in the park, or the gym.

After several experiences in the preparation of large expeditions and, as my own experience, I can recommend a system that generally adapts well to anyone with a basic level of physical-mental training. The idea is to get to do a personalized follow-up on Aconcagua, with a table, where we can dump the process of each of the areas worked: aerobic, power or specific training in exercises, backpack work, the technician and the training carried out specifically in the field (outing to the mountain). The system is designed in a pyramid shape; it starts with a low demand until reaching the highest point and sustains for three months, finally descending again and ending with 10 to 12 days of complete rest, where it is prioritized to eat hydrate well.