Category: Aconcagua Expeditions

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.

Aconcagua Climbing – Adventures in the Cordillera

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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

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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 – Tips for a risk-free expedition

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If you are not convinced of the activity, I will not do it, but I will with the necessary confidence and inner security if I have decided to do it. Intense mountain activities such as climbing Mount Aconcagua demand this quality, which ultimately becomes the essential discipline needed to know oneself. Know my strengths, understand my weaknesses, know my intentions, know my enthusiasm, know my integrity, know my limits, and have the criteria and courage to make crucial decisions, such as turning around and returning on time.

Respect for the environment, mountains, and nature does not mean fear. The atmosphere, the weather in which we move, has unique and conditions. Fear can paralyze you and leave you without the strength to continue. Respect means that I can give myself an idea of ​​the dimensions, magic, and wisdom of Aconcagua. I will not show respect to anyone but myself. It would be best to respect the mountain you are ascending when I contemplate it in its immensity and imagine myself within it.

You must respect nature when you leave the place where you were better than how you found it. If I am going to pick up my waste, I can do it because someone imposes it on me or because I convince myself that it would be good if whoever passes through this place again gets excited in the same way. Who wants to hit a mighty waterfall and see shells scattered about? The equation is simple. Suppose you are someone who already has plenty of experience in mountain outings (surplus always adds several years in trekking, technical mountaineering, and high altitude mountaineering). In that case, you can calmly go to Aconcagua without assistance or by hiring the service of local providers that provide you with amenities such as mules, toilets, etc.

But suppose your situation is that of growth in the mountains, that you do not have such experience or that you need to prepare with professionals to arrive at the most significant number of possibilities. In that case, we will always recommend hiring professional guides or, to a better extent, experienced companies with enough prestige to provide you with the best service and security you need.

For beginners and those who dream of realizing the dream of coming to Aconcagua Argentina, some exciting companies and projects include a distance training system and progressive mountain excursions for ten months.

Suppose we take success as having a great experience and not reaching the top if or if and whatever, we will be on the right track. In short, the success of getting the top is never guaranteed since, in addition to everything you described in this text, it is not enough if other unmanageable issues occur up there, such as adverse climate or the simple refusal of our spirit, which has designated for that moment of our life another outcome and that, thus, will allow us to return to the same fantastic scene to be able to try again.

Aconcagua Climbing – Remember to trust your mind

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Being tall can also cause you to urinate more frequently and weaken your thirst response (you don’t usually feel thirsty, you have to force yourself to drink), putting you at a greater danger of dehydration. If you do not realize it, they appear: headache, muscle cramps, and the chances of suffering frostbites, issues with solar radiation, hypothermia, and acute mountain sickness dramatically increase.

Above 4000 meters (Plaza de Mulas), it is better to drink between 3 and 4 liters of liquid to hydrate. This is very important to drink water on an-Aconcagua Expedition since the water that comes from direct snow (melting snow) without added does not hydrate enough. Above 5000 meters, it is already convenient to take between 4 and 5 liters per day.

Concerning the drinks and liquids that can help us to hydrate the most in altitude. They said that cold tea is better than a hot one. Any of these is better to mate (which generally adds liquid but does not hydrate). Coffee, instant soups are a good resource for the proportion of sodium, fat, dehydrated vegetables, etc.

Isotonic powdered drinks, powdered juices in sachets collaborate to have variety in daily consumption.

It is imperative to have the designated containers. In this case, it is also good to have variety here, including a 2-liter bag with a hose, two wide-mouth bottles, a 1-liter thermos, and an airtight jug, for the different moments of the expedition and also not to mix liquids. The juice goes in a bottle, water in another, soup in the jug, the tea in the thermos, etc.

How often have we heard about Aconcagua Hike? You can only eat polenta, rice, and noodles? However, developing culinary skills in natural environments represents one of the most rewarding tasks. The options are endless. We can carry fresh products such as fruits, vegetables, and even meats in the same backpack. The menus will have to be carried out, the place, and the way of access. In the mountains, we cannot afford to eat absolutely anything for breakfast as some do. In the hills, those who do not eat well go home.

And here, it is not mentioned that the food must be rich in carbohydrates, proteins, etc. In typical situations, eating some energy every two hours, four meals a day, and staying well hydrated are enough. You cannot and should not skimp on food. Our security also depends on it. Climb Aconcagua, and in altitude, the lack of appetite is usually another indicator that we have problems with acclimatization. That is why incorporating various foods, and nutrients (proteins, fats, carbohydrates) is essential. It isn’t easy to carry and keep fresh foods such as meat and dairy for days, but it is very important to try them. Vegetables and fruits are other inconveniences in the second part of the expedition, but if proper maintenance is achieved, they can be regulated.

Aconcagua Climbing – The Best Experience Ever

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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

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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.

Aconcagua Climbing – Sometimes You Win, Sometimes You Don’t

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The summit of Aconcagua, covered with eternal snow, which in the Quechua language means “Watchtower or Stone Sentinel,” is surrounded by other peaks that exceed 5,000 meters above sea level; for this reason, this area is called “The Roof of America.”

Every year about 1,200,000 people visit Mendoza’s natural reserves, and Aconcagua Provincial Park is one of the most visited.

Among these thousands of tourists who visit this circuit each year, approximately 5,500 are wild sportsmen prepared to challenge the high mountains, who arrive motivated to do Aconcagua Expeditions, the second-highest relative height in the world, behind Everest.

It is one of the principal traveler’s destinations in Mendoza. It is frequently the scene of sports activities and cultural events such as the Wine Ritual, Americanto, or the High-altitude Film Festival.

In addition, if you are climbing Aconcagua, the Park is located in an environment where a vital task of awareness and revaluation is being carried out (Archeology in Las Cuevas, Planning of Puente del Inca. World Heritage Qapaq Ñan-Camino Real Inca), Sistema Tetra de Comunicación in Alta Montaña that further positions its tourist attraction. Nido is an actual viewpoint, to the east the central valleys Los Patos and Barreal; to the north, the impressive mounds of Cord de la Ramada, dominated by the Mercedario (6,770 m); Behind the hill, the Horn Valley Volcano, the desolate lands of Güssfeldt; To the west, the Cathedral, the cordon and the valley of Chile; and to the south the incredible spectacle of the immensity: the Great Highway and the north and south summits of Aconcagua. Arriving in Mendoza is always accompanied by a frenzy of final preparation for the expedition, and this time it was no different.

It was extraordinary meeting the team, or 2/3 of the group, anyway: Alex and Elise landed in Mendoza on Saturday; Andrea was unfortunately delayed due to flight cancellation, but she should be joining us in with her fingers crossed Mendoza in a matter of hours. Aconcagua is not cheap; the climbing permit only costs about $ 1000 (depending on the route and season you choose for your climb). Then there are the logistics costs on the mountain, equipment considerations, guides, porters, and a host of others considerations.

For full disclosure, guided tours are offered on both the Normal Route and Route 360, but that’s just one of many different ways and prices to climb the mountain.

Here’s an essential guide on how to budget for an Aconcagua climb and what levers you can use to reduce your cash investment, assuming you have time. But money constraints, or the amount of time you need to put in, prepare and execute your climb, assuming you have no worries about money but limited time.

Aconcagua Climbing – Don’t Forget to be Well Fed

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The Aconcagua Expedition season officially runs from November 15 to March 31 of each year, with December 15 to January 31 being the high season.

The suggestion for those who wish to venture to Aconcagua is to do it between the end of November and the end of February, since there are two factors: first due to the weather conditions. It is within these months when the climate is warmer in the Southern Hemisphere and more stable in Aconcagua.

The second factor is that there is greater availability of the necessary services to carry out the ascents (mules, base camp services and porters).

Before or after the recommended time, there is a very low number of visitors to Climb Aconcagua and it is very likely that you do not have the necessary logistical services to face this demanding excursion.

As for the climate, outside the recommended season there are heavy snowfalls, strong winds and wide fields of ice and snow that cover both the access to the base camps and the ascent routes.

During the summer (December to March), you can experience the temperature at night in places that reach 5,000 meters of approximately -20 ° C, and the temperature at the top is -30 ° C.

Cold, snowy, and unpredictable conditions make most Aconcagua hike during winter dangerous.

Aconcagua is located within the Provincial Park located 185 kilometers from the City of Mendoza. It can be accessed by renting a car and heading towards National Route No. 7 to the signs that mark the entrance to the park. They are approximately 3 hours away.

Another option is to take a bus from the terminal in the center of Mendoza (Av. Acceso Este and Av. Videla) the Buttini bus line to Uspallata and once at the local terminal, take the taxis located at the entrance to the entrance. from the Aconcagua Provincial Park (73 kilometers).

To begin the trekkings and ascent to Aconcagua, it is mandatory to register online, request the permit and make the payment of the entrance fee. For the walk to Laguna los Horcones, online registration is not necessary. Payment is made at the visitor center of the Provincial Park.

For the trails it is mandatory to carry ID or passport, sports shoes, shelter, sun protection, food and drinking water. There is no food sale in the park! Aconcagua Provincial Park is located west of the province of Mendoza, 180 km from its capital city, in the Department of Las Heras.

The Aconcagua Provincial Park is one of the 17 protected areas in the province of Mendoza, created by provincial law in 1983, and is open for promotion from November 15 until, generally, the Holy Week festivities. Mount Aconcagua, reaches 6,962 meters above sea level, becoming the highest in America. Its imposing peaks, crowned by eternal glaciers, attract large numbers of climbers from all over the world, as well as important archaeological sites.

The entrance routes to the Park are those of the Río Horcones and the Río Vacas, which reach the base of the hill where the main base camps are located: Plaza de Mulas and Plaza Argentina, respectively. The Park is accessed through International Route No. 7, from the town of Puente del Inca.