Category: Aconcagua Expeditions

Packing For A Climbing Tour

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Do you think a climbing tour is just about adrenaline and excitement? If your answer is yes, you are not yet ready to enjoy your first mountaineering expedition. This is because a trip like this requires you to focus on multiple different details appropriately, and the first on that list is packing.

Whether you are visiting the Aconcagua 360 route or any other mountain range, you must make sure you have everything you may need. Since the trekking trails do not have any restaurants, shops, hotels, or emergency rooms, you must be thoroughly prepared to take care of yourself in every possible way.

Hence, you should be careful about packing your bag to avoid future problems. Let us now take a closer look at a few essential items that your luggage should consist of:

  1. Choose Versatile & Lightweight Gear

When packing your bag for the Aconcagua Vacas Valley route, opt for gear that can be used for multiple tasks with ease to minimize bulk. Harness, helmet, belay device, carabiners, etc., are some of the main things that you should put in your backpack.

Make sure they are lightweight and sturdy, so that you can put pressure on them without worrying about them breaking. Also, incest in a lightweight tent to use for resting at night.

  • Opt For Weather-Appropriate Clothes

The second factor that you should keep in mind when preparing your luggage for a climbing tour is the clothes you are packing. Keep in mind that the climate in mountainous regions can change within a few minutes.

Hence, it is necessary for you to opt for clothing options that can beat rain, snow, and extreme cold. Other than that, it will also be better for you to invest in clothes that are quick-drying, breathable, and comfortable.

  • Prioritize Compact & High-Energy Nutrition

Once you are ready to pack and leave for a much-awaited trek along the Aconcagua 360 route, do not forget to pack compact and high-energy food. As you may know, a hike will require you to walk for several hours a day through challenging terrain, meaning you will burn through energy quickly.

Therefore, you should have all kinds of small bites in your backpack to provide you with immediate nourishment. Trail mix, energy bars, jerky, nut butters, and dehydrated meals are some of the food items you should carry.

  • Pack A First-Aid Kit

Last but not least, always keep in mind that you can never be too careful when visiting the Aconcagua Vacas Valley route. As a result, you should allot space in your luggage for a well-organized first-aid kit for your physical well-being.

Because there are no hospitals or emergency rooms on the hiking trails, this kit will help you ensure your safety. Pack various kinds of pills, ointments, antibiotics, etc., to prevent serious medical issues appropriately.

Conclusion

Is this one of the first times you have thought about going on a mountaineering trip? If your answer is yes, it is normal for you to be confused about how to pack it. In times like these, you can refer to this blog to make things easier for you as much as possible.

Here’s Why Trekking Is Better With A Partner

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One of the best things you can ever choose to do in your life is to climb Aconcagua during your vacation. Although there are various kinds of trips you can opt for, nothing will beat the thrill of a hike in any way. It is a kind of journey that will allow you to experience thrill and serenity at the same time.

Not only that, but you will also get the chance to test your mental and physical well-being in the best possible ways. However, because a mountaineering expedition comes with several responsibilities and challenges, you should refrain from doing it alone.

No matter how tempting it seems, always try your best to recruit a partner for your journey. Believe it or not, another individual will be able to come in handy in more ways than one. If you wish to know how, let us now take a closer look at a few reasons why trekking with a buddy can be amazing:

  1. Enhanced Safety & Support

One of the factors that will make you think about climbing Aconcagua with a companion is that it will enhance your safety and support options. If one individual fall sick or suffers an injury, the other person will be able to help in more ways than one.

You will be able to depend on your partner when it comes to navigation, camp setups, route selection, etc. Moreover, two sets of eyes will also come in handy in unpredictable environments like a mountain range.

  • Shared Motivation & Morale Boost

No matter which mountain you choose to visit, you should keep in mind that you will need to walk for several hours a day, deal with challenges, and take care of yourself. In times like these, it can be quite easy to lose motivation and give up halfway through the trail.

However, when you have a partner, they will be able to encourage you to keep going and remind you of your goals if necessary. Simultaneously, you will also be able to do the same, creating a bonding environment.

  • Dividing Gear & Responsibilities

The next reason why you should pick a reliable companion once you are ready to climb Aconcagua is that it will enable you to share responsibilities and gear with them. This means that you won’t have to worry about bearing all the weight by yourself while climbing boulders or crossing rivers in the middle of the trail.

The sharing will also make it convenient for you to improve your pace, so that you can finish your journey on time. Other than that, you can also share tasks among yourself, including cooking, water collection, camp setup, etc.

  • Shared Memories & Deeper Bonds

Another aspect that will make you think about climbing Aconcagua with somebody is that it gives you a chance to create shared memories and deeper bonds. If you go with a family member, friend, or a basic acquaintance, rest assured that you will come back with an unbreakable relationship.

Not only that, but even if you pair with a random stranger through your hiking organization, you will get to forge a friendship that you will cherish for life. Hence, you should always think about partnering up with an individual when thinking about trekking.

Conclusion No matter how tempting it may seem to climb a mountain by yourself, nothing will beat the beauty of hiking with a companion. Rest assured that this opportunity will change your perception of life and help you break out of your shell. You will find more reasons to trek with a partner in the above-mentioned details.

Mount Aconcagua: Journeys and Ascents on the Roof of the Americas

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There’s more to Mount Aconcagua than being the world’s tallest mountain. It stands 22,838 feet (6,961 meters) above the Argentine Andes, which are very beautiful and far away. A big rock and ice structure that draws travelers from all over the world, it’s a strong sign. As the biggest mountain outside of Asia, it is also the most difficult non-technical peak to reach. You will have to show how strong and determined you are to get to the top. Still, the mountain has a lot to offer, from simple tries to get to the top to more in-depth trips that go through the whole mountain. The most daring of these is the Aconcagua 360 Traverse. To change what an Aconcagua expedition means, you must go around the whole mountain.

Choose Your Path: A Mountain with Many Paths
Most people take the Normal Route through the Horcones Valley to get to the top. People often walk on this straight, tough road because it’s often windy and full of people. People who want to connect with the mountain in a new way can do either of these two great things. Climbers can get to the difficult Polish Glacier Traverse through the Vacas Valley Route, which is on the east side of the mountain and out of the way. It’s often chosen by people who want a more natural trip away from the crowds. The most important part of the bigger course is the climb.

All these trips can be done together best on the Aconcagua 360 Route. It’s more than just a climb; it’s a full tour. The Vacas Valley Route is used to get to this route and climb it. Then, this route goes down the whole Horcones Valley, making a loop around the peak that doesn’t break. The Aconcagua 360 Route map shows how smart this plan is: it lets you get used to the altitude faster, cuts down on the time you spend going backwards, and gives you a steady stream of the mountain’s most beautiful views.

If you really want to go on an adventure, the 360 Traverse is it.

There is a real sense of excitement when you decide to do the Aconcagua 360 Traverse. It takes between 18 and 21 days to make the trip, and you need to be physically strong, patient, and good at planning how to move at the right speed. You can learn about the beauty of the Andes and get used to life at high elevation on the first part of the Aconcagua hike, which goes up the Vacas Valley. Setting the stage for change and getting the body ready for what’s to come is what this part does.

It’s a tough climb from this side to the top of Aconcagua. You need to know how to use boots and an ice axe well because the Polish Glacier route has a lot of snow and ice. It’s now clear how important it is to have skilled Aconcagua Mountain Guides. It’s very important that they know how to find routes, assess risks, and teach at high elevations. A lot of people find that the key to a safe and happy summit is to choose an Aconcagua guided climb on this circuit. Thus, climbers can concentrate on their performance while experts take care of the tricky planning and safety decisions.

In the book called More Than a Summit: The Rewards of the Circuit

At the top of Aconcagua, with its famous metal cross and stunning views, you’ll always remember what you did. But on the 360 circuit, it’s more of a pretty place to stop in the middle than a final goal. With the jump down the Horcones Valley, the story ends. It’s a new scene with a strong sense of completeness. You walk by the busy Plaza de Mulas base camp and think about how close you are to ending this huge circle. The South Face is huge.

This trip is good for more than just seeing the sights. It’s good for your emotional health to keep going, and routes that go out and back aren’t as good for getting used to the altitude as routes that go out and back. It tells you how to climb Aconcagua with a focus on the trip, being tough, and getting lost in the experience. Climbers who are good at what they do enjoy these Aconcagua ascents because they let them see the mountain in all its beautiful beauty instead of just conquering it.

Getting ready for the ultimate Andean journey
There are things you need to do to get ready for such a big trip. When you work out, you should focus on building long-term stamina, heavy-load-bearing strength (so you can carry your gear between camps), and cardiovascular fitness. It’s just as important to get your mind ready for the long haul, the weather changes, and the difficulties that come with being high up.

Choose the right excursion company is a very important step. Find workers who have done the whole 360 circle a lot of times and are good at what they do. Find out about their full plan, safety rules, and how qualified the guides are. The best Aconcagua expeditions for this way will have a clear plan for getting used to the high altitude, extra days in case something goes wrong, and all the other details that need to be taken care of for the trip. You want to join a team where being able to do the 360 is a main skill, not just something extra.

Finally, let’s talk about how appealing the full circle is.
People who want to go on adventures at high elevations should look at Mount Aconcagua. Getting to the top of Aconcagua is hard no matter how you do it, but the Aconcagua 360 Traverse is the only way to tell a full and satisfying story. The choice for people who like to be alone, make plans, and see the mountain from all four sides, not just the top. One of the best ways to really understand a giant is to walk around its feet, shoulders, and head. This trip makes a tough climb into a grand adventure. Without a question, it is the best adventure to climb Aconcagua for seasoned climbers.

How to Get Around: The Aconcagua 360 Route Map and Terrain

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If you want to be a good mountain climber, you need to know the area well. It’s very important to know this on Mount Aconcagua, where the air is thin and the winds are strong. The Aconcagua 360 Traverse is a one-of-a-kind navigation puzzle that has you go around the whole mountain. How well you understand how the land is changing and how the map tells a story about strategy is just as important as how good it is. It’s never been the same to climb Aconcagua after this trip. It went from being a vertical push to a masterful horizontal journey.

The Map as a Strategic Story
There is more to an Aconcagua 360 Route map than just a map of the area. It’s a thorough plan for a three-week trip. This map, on the other hand, shows a perfect loop, with a single line going around the 6,961-meter top. It’s clear from this shot that the main idea of the expedition was to always move forward and get a view of the mountain from every direction. It makes sense to take that path, as shown on the map. It starts with the rural Vas Valley Route on the east side and goes up. At the end, it goes down completely through the Horcones Valley to the west. Reading this map is the first thing that will help you understand how hard this long Aconcagua expedition is and how much it will pay off.

This is the eastern way to get to the Polish Glacier, from the Vacas Valley.
The trip begins in the very soft-looking slopes of Punta de Vacas. The Aconcagua hike starts with a section that follows the Vacas River. This long but necessary part of the trip lets people get used to the higher elevation. Swamps, river valleys, and big moraines are all in this area. Some places on the map, like Pampa de Leñas and Casa de Piedra, are there to boost spirit. Even though this part isn’t very high, it’s long and takes a lot of weight, so it’s hard on the body. It gets you ready for the next few weeks of aerobics.

The road goes around to the west and then goes up steeply to get to Plaza Argentina Base Camp. At this point, the Aconcagua 360 Route meets up with the technical climb route of the Polish Glacier Route. From fields to glacial moraine and then to snow and ice, the land changes a lot. You have to be careful on your feet and mostly stay on straight lines to get to Camp 1 (Camp Canada) and Camp 2 (Camp Nido de Cóndores or Camp Colera). Now is the most important time to have experienced Aconcagua Mountain Guides with you. A guided climb up Aconcagua is very helpful because the guides can tell you how the glacier is feeling, show you safe ways to get through crevasse fields, and keep the group going at the right speed on this rough terrain.

These are the Summit Corridor and the Key Descent.
It takes a lot of work to get to the top of the 360 circles from a high camp on the Polish Glacier Traverse. Finally, there is the famous Canaleta, a long, loose rock chute that makes you think every time you slide. The Aconcagua 360 Traverse plan shows that the trip is only half over, even though the view from the top of Aconcagua is beautiful. You can see the other side of the mountain as you start to drop into the Horcones Valley.

These problems with the land come with this western slope. Go down the long slopes from the top ridge to Plaza de Mulas, which is South America’s largest base camp. It’s hard on tired legs. As you leave the park, the trail follows the Horcones River and goes through fields of penitentes, which are strange, tall ice formations. This is the last part of the circle, and it shows views of the mountain’s southern and western faces that were hidden on the way up. These views change all the time.

Why it’s important to know the terrain for success
For safety and planning’s sake, it’s important to know how the land changes over time. From the hiking poles you need for the Vacas Valley to the crampons and mountaineering boots you need for the ice, it changes everything you pack. For example, the approach hikes are long and hard days, setting up high camps is short and hard, and getting to the top is hard. The fall is slow and steady.

If you want to know how to climb Aconcagua this way, the terrain map will help you understand how hard it is and how to prepare. This is an example of why it’s important to train your strength for long days and your stability for rough ground. What this also shows is why only the most skilled and independent people should try this way on their own. Because the eastern road is so far away and has some tricky parts, having professional Aconcagua expeditions help with navigation and risk management is very helpful.

Last but not least, the map can help you make changes.
The Aconcagua 360 Route map not only shows the way, but also how things will change. It makes you a better trekker in the foothills, a better climber on a glacier, a better peak explorer, and a better traveler who walks around the whole mountain. To get around in this complicated setting, you need to show respect, plan, and often get professional help. You can fully understand Mount Aconcagua by going around this whole circle. You will learn all its shapes and difficulties. It is the most engaging and rewarding way to climb Aconcagua because it gives you the best sense of the size and spirit of the Roof of the Americas.

Aconcagua Climbing – Never underestimate the “age” of Aconcagua

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The cabinet tests carried out on the matrix of the deposits were carried out according to the operating conditions and are described below.

Mineralogical analysis: The mineralogical composition, except clays, has been analyzed from 2-3 grams of an 80-gram sample, ground to a size less than 35 μm, through X-ray diffraction, using a D5000 diffractometer ( Bruker AXS). The Aconcagua 360 Route used Cu radiation and an accessory graphite monochromator. Diffraction data were taken from 4° to 70° 2θ, with a scan width of 0.02° and a counter tube scan time of 2 seconds per step. We worked with 40 KV and 30 mA. The quantitative analysis of the phases was determined using the Rietveld technique contained in the BG MN/AUTOQUAN software (Bergmann et al. 1998).

Grain size analysis: For this type of analysis, 12-15 grams of sample were used. The organic components were dissolved through treatment with H2O2. The remaining material was sieved into two fractions: larger and smaller than 63 μm. The first was screened at all phi divisions (phi > -2). From the material smaller than 63 μm, the clay-sized fraction was separated using the Atterberg method, while that corresponding to silt was analyzed with a Micromeritics SediGraph 5100 in all phi divisions.

Grain roundness grading: Some of the remaining material was sieved at 250-500 μm and 100 grains from each sample were graded using Turner’s two-dimensional visual roundness tester. Bearing in mind that Confluencia is the site where both types of deposits are best exposed, we first How to Climb Aconcagua proceeded to define their lithological characteristics there, to compare later what was observed in the different valleys. With this information, the proper genetic interpretation was carried out. The Confluence above profile is exposed in the ravine located on the left bank of the Inferior Horcones River, just in front of its junction with the Superior Horcones River. This profile, of approximately 20 meters, presents two types of deposits recognizable by their different color and stratigraphic position: 1) reddish, the oldest, and 2) gray, the youngest (upper third of said profile).

The upper, grayish deposit comprises a breccia with blocks several meters in diameter (recognized up to 5 Aconcagua Guided Climb meters) scattered in a poorly selected, also breccia matrix (from gravels to clays), predominantly of the same composition as the blocks. The latter shows the typical lithologies of the volcanoes of the Aconcagua Volcanic Complex, made up of lavas, breccias, and tuffs, of andesitic and dacitic composition. It is important to note that this breccia level covers most of the Confluencia sector.

Aconcagua Climbing – Expedition or climbing alone?

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Some small sinkholes in the distal part of the deposit and very few depressions with lagoons, which indicates the presence of an impermeable substrate. The mounds are rounded and smooth on the surface and soils have developed in the depressions. In a profile product of a road cut, a soil has been observed in these depressions, covered by detrital material from the mounds that surround the hollow, as converging microslopes. This remobilization of material from the top of the mounds into the surrounding depressions has considerably smoothed the original surface of the deposit. In addition to gravity, periglacial processes, Aconcagua Argentina surface weathering and wind deposition have contributed to it. Towards the distal zone, at the Confluence with the Cuevas valley, the deposit is divided into two lobes; one penetrates perpendicularly to the valley of the Cuevas river, in the same direction that it brought in the Horcones, while the second lobe extends downstream in the valley of the Cuevas river, advancing approximately 2,000 m in it. The cross-sectional profile of the Horcones deposit indicates that it is higher in the center than towards the flanks. The distal edge of the Horcones deposit is therefore located at the Confluence of the Horcones and Cuevas river valleys. This distal edge of the Horcones deposit is perfectly defined and has a variable height between 5 and 10 meters, which allows the deposit in question to be separated from the surrounding land. The latter correspond to a lithologically similar deposit located just below, and Mount Aconcagua also has an irregular morphology, although smoother than that of the Horcones deposit. In accordance with what was mentioned above, the study of the filling material of the valleys of the area made it possible to distinguish essentially two types of deposits, also well distinguishable by their field (megascopic) and morphological characteristics, previously considered as till by other authors.

Numerous mineralogical, granulometric and roundness analyzes were carried out on the matrix of both deposits present in the different valleys, in order to capture the complete lithological characterization of Aconcagua and precisely define their genesis. Sampling was carried out in the Horcones Inferior, Horcones Superior and Horcones valleys (both proximal and distal, already at the intersection with the Cuevas River). The underlying deposit exposed by the deepening of the Cuevas River, only had a microscopic study of the loose grain of the sandy-silty material in order to determine its mineralogical composition. A synthesis of the lithological characteristics of the Quebrada de Horcones deposit was presented by Lagorio et al.

Information about the type of terrain on the hill

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This characteristic meant that various types of deposits were located there. Espizua (1989) described six drifts in the area (Punta de Vacas, Penitentes, Horcones, Almacenes, Confluencia and undifferentiated moraines). Of these, the moraines of the Punta de Vacas, Confluencia and Penitentes drifts can be identified in the Confluencia zone as glacial deposits because they preserve the morphology imposed by the process. But part of the deposits mapped as Horcones moraine, Almacenes moraine and undifferentiated moraines have a morphology and composition that complicates their interpretation as glacial deposits. The detailed genetic characterization of Aconcagua Expeditions constitutes, consequently, one of the objectives of this contribution.

These deposits, here under review, are distinguished by a landscape of gentle elevations and depressions (hummocks) composed of a greyish, almost monolithological breccia of internally fractured clasts and angular blocks, which correspond to outcropping volcanoes in the upper part of Aconcagua hill ( Aconcagua Volcanic Complex). At the mouth of the Tolosa ravine, a deposit with similar characteristics is observed.

Precisely in the area of ​​Confluence, in the ravine located on the left bank of the Horcones Inferior valley, a profile of approximately 20 meters is presented, where the contact between said grayish gaps and the underlying reddish glacial deposits assigned Aconcagua Climb is clearly exposed. previously by Espizua (1993) to Drift Penitentes. Between Confluencia and the Durazno ravine, the Horcones valley narrows. Here there are only few remnants of lateral moray eels.

The valley of the Horcones river, downstream of the mouth of the Durazno stream, is filled by the deposit here called Horcones. It stands out in the landscape due to its large volume and a very particular surface morphology. The Horcones River is lying on the left bank of the valley, where it carved out a narrow gorge.

The area covered by the Horcones deposit is approximately 6 km2. Although no complete profile is observed in this valley section, unlike what was described for Confluencia, it is estimated that it is probable that the deposit exceeds 30 m thickness throughout most of its area. Climbing Aconcagua According to this, its volume could be at least 180 x 106 m3 for the sector under analysis. Taking into account that there are remains of the deposit from the Horcones Inferior valley, the total volume of the flow must have been even greater.

Its surface morphology is characterized by a succession of elevations and depressions, represented by conical or elongated mounds 5 to 10 m high and between 15 and 30 m in diameter.

Aconcagua Climbing – A hill of millions of years

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For all these analyses, a photo interpretation was carried out, with frames at a scale of 1:50,000; Aster satellite images were also interpreted, from which digital topographic models were made and, finally, field tasks were carried out. During the latter, observations were made of the sedimentological characteristics of the deposits located along the aforementioned valleys, collecting samples to carry out Climb Aconcagua compositional (mineralogy) and textural (granulometry and roundness) analyzes in order to fully define the lithological characteristics of the same. Lastly, absolute dating was done using carbon 14C methods on fluvial and lacustrine deposits, and cosmogenic nuclides (NC) on surface blocks of the deposits under discussion. The analysis of all this information finally made it possible to interpret the genesis of the different deposits, the age of the processes that originated them and to evaluate what could have been the determining factors and triggers that produced them.

The work has been organized in such a way as to first present the field observations, the mineralogical and textural data and the absolute ages of the deposits, then the interpretations that arise from the analysis of all this information and, finally, the conclusions.

Geomorphological features

It stands out in the landscape due to its great elevation and is also notable for the presence of glaciers located on it at different heights (Upper Glacier, Middle Glacier and Lower Glacier) The Upper Glacier draws attention, because it communicates through a small step with the Ventisquero de Los Relinchos, a glacier that flows into the valley of the Las Vacas River. On the other hand, this last Aconcagua Expedition glacier also has very particular characteristics, since it ends on the southern wall of Cerro Aconcagua without a feeding basin or glacial cirque. Starting from the morphological observation, the Superior Glacier and the Los Relinchos Glacier can be united in a single glacial tongue, considering that they would have flowed, in the past, in a valley to the east as the East Glacier and the Ameghino Glacier do. These three glacial tongues coincide in height, Aconcagua Hike, unlike the Horcones Inferior glacier, much deeper in the landscape due to differential erosion, as a consequence of the asymmetry in the size of the glaciers, in relation to the orientation of the valleys with respect to of sunstroke. To complete this scheme, all that is needed is a watershed or interfluve that currently does not exist, between the valley of the Superior Glacier-Ventisquero de Los Relinchos and the valley of the Inferior Horcones. It is interpreted that said divide, absent today, would have existed in times of the Quaternary glaciation, as will be analyzed later.

The confluence area:

This area bears that name because the valleys of Horcones Inferior, Horcones Superior and the Tolosa ravine meet there. The sector is a little wider than each of the valleys individually.

Do I need technical knowledge to climb Aconcagua?

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If we move from the foothills to the high basin of the Mendoza River, Espizua (1989) describes the Penitentes, Horcones and Almacenes drifts. Subsequently, the Horcones deposits were assigned by Pereyra and González Díaz (1993) to flows originating from rotational landslides. Recently Fauqué et al. (2008a and b) considered the three drift deposits as distal flows of rock avalanches. In this case there is no doubt that the area was glaciated during the Pleistocene, but what is being discussed here is the Aconcagua Mountain Guides validity of the glacial stratigraphy of the Mendoza river basin, based on the mass shear deposits identified .

These antecedents allow us to observe that glacial deposits and mass removal deposits have been confused for more than 60 years. Therefore, the need arises to review and reinterpret the morphology together with the sedimentological characteristics of the high mountain Quaternary deposits. The incorrect identification as moraines made of deposits corresponding to rock avalanches that have survived erosion in previously glazed terrain, has been pointed out by Hewitt (2002) as frequent in many parts of the world. Detailed mapping of Quaternary deposits has been insufficient in many high mountain regions, despite the fact that it is linked to knowledge of geological risks.

It was precisely a study linked to the Aconcagua Ascents geological risks that affect the town of Puente del Inca, the reason for which the issue of the genesis of the deposit located in the Horcones ravine was addressed, in order to discern if it is of glacial origin or associated with mass removal. The resolution of this problem made it necessary to extend the observations to the Cuevas river valley and to the deposit assigned to the Penitentes drift.

The recent reinterpretations of the Horcones, Almacenes and Penitentes drifts were presented in abstracts at the XVII Argentine Geological Congress, therefore we intend here to provide all the information on which the new interpretation of the three deposits is based. We will start with the Horcones deposit and finally we will refer to the one located immediately downstream from the town of Penitentes. In the investigation of the Aconcagua Treks Horcones, Almacenes and Penitentes drifts, special attention was paid to the surface morphology of the deposits, their location and extension in the valleys and their volume. The morphological characteristics of the valleys of Horcones Inferior, Horcones, Tolosa, Cuevas and Mario Ardito were also analyzed, comparing them with other valleys in the area. The southern wall of Cerro Aconcagua was also studied in detail, as some anomalous and/or unusual morphologies were noted in it.

Brief tips for climbing the Colossus

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In the event of the preparation of a susceptibility map to the mass removal processes that affect the town of Puente del Inca, the controversial genesis of the Horcones deposit was reviewed. The morphology of the deposit and the surrounding landscape, the mineralogy and texture of its materials were analyzed and finally radiometric dating was performed. Based on these studies, it is concluded that the Horcones deposit is the result of a saturated flow derived from a rock avalanche or mega-slide, caused by the collapse of a watershed on the southern wall of Mount Aconcagua, during times late glacial or postglacial Aconcagua 360 Route. Deposits similar to Horcones fill the Cuevas river valley to the east and are covered by others, which were also previously considered glacial (e.g. terminal moraine of the Penitentes Drift). The analysis of this material in the vicinity of the town of Penitentes, using a similar methodology, reveals that it corresponds to a large-scale flow coming from the Mario Ardito creek. According to these new interpretations, the need to carry out an exhaustive review of the glacial stratigraphy in the area is clear. New ideas also arise regarding the genesis of the Puente del Inca natural monument. Finally, understanding the geomorphological evolution of the southern wall of Mount Aconcagua sheds light on the Horcones glacier surges. The southern wall of the How to Climb Aconcagua hill (6,965 m a.s.l.) constitutes an unusual morphological feature; With a drop of around 2,700 m, it is one of the great walls of the Earth. In it, rocky outcrops alternate with hanging glaciers, from which ice avalanches break off, giving this slope a greater risk. We rarely stop to think how these walls originated or, if we do, we combine: tectonic ascent, erosion and thousands of years, to finally give rise to a free interpretation. In the case of the southern wall of Aconcagua, among the erosive processes that the Aconcagua Guided Climb modeled, there were no less than two rock avalanches, which we will also call mega-slides (because of their enormous volume), which originated flows whose deposits have been previously interpreted by other authors as glaciers. The discrepancies about deposits assigned indistinctly to the Pleistocene glaciations or to mass removal are long-standing in our geological literature. During the studies carried out in the foothills of Mendoza, Dessanti (1946) described the “Morena del Quemado”, reinterpreted by Polanski (1953) as Cenoglomerate del Quemado and assigned to flows associated with rising debris. In fact, based on the different interpretation criteria of the deposit, the existence of an extensive englazation of the piedmont was being discussed.