Category: Aconcagua Guided Climb

Aconcagua Ascents – Conquering the Summit via the 360 Route

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Mount Everest is one of the most prestigious goals mountain climbers can set. It is the highest hill outside of the Himalayas and one of the hardest things to do in South America. Since the beginning of time, Aconcagua ascents have been the standard for people who want to climb high mountains. The Aconcagua 360 Route is by far the best and most complete way to get to the top.

Why take the 360-degree path?

Every season, most people who want to climb to the top of the mountain take the normal route up the northwest face. It’s simple to get to, but the Aconcagua 360 traverse is more beautiful and has more trails. To finish, this path goes back down the normal road. It starts on the eastern side of the mountain and goes through the beautiful Vacas Valley. This goes all the way around the mountain range.

What makes this trip so special are the different types of land. Mountain climbers get to see views that people who take shorter routes will never get to see. They can see these views from both easy valley roads and steep glacier slopes. For strong climbers, the Aconcagua 360 Route is more than just a way to get to the top. It’s a real journey in every way.

The Trip Through Vacas Valley

Follow the 360 Route to get to the top of Aconcagua. The trip starts with a several-day hike through the Vacas Valley. It takes three to four days to walk from Punta de Vacas to Plaza Argentina base camp, which is 4,200 meters above sea level. This is a great path for mountain climbers. The Aconcagua Vacas Valley route goes along the huge Vacas River. The Pampa de Leñas and Casa de Piedra camps are great places to rest with beautiful views of the Andes.

Two things are done by this careful method. This way, people can easily get used to the higher elevation while saving their energy for the harder parts of the climb. Through the valley, you can see different views of Mount Aconcagua and old moraines. The valley is a natural wonder in and of itself. Vacas Valley is a great way to get there if you enjoy the journey as much as the destination.Getting to Know the Way

The Aconcagua 360 route map is important to know before you start these big Aconcagua climbs. After getting to Plaza Argentina, climbers set up several higher camps. Most of the time, these are at 5,000 meters, 5,500 meters, and 6,000 meters. Part of the peak push is going up the Polish Glacier or the False Polish Glacier. The part is steep and hard, and it tests both your technical skills and your mental toughness.

The trail goes around to the western side and down the Normal Route, passing through Plaza Cólera and Plaza de Mulas, when it gets to the top at 6,961 meters. You can see the mountain from a completely different angle from this descent, which is the last part of the full circle. A detailed Aconcagua 360 route map shows that this route goes over more ground than any other and gives you a full experience that not many peaks in the world can match.

What Expeditions and Guides Do

A lot of hikers choose to work with Aconcagua Mountain guides because the 360 Route is so hard and high up. When you climb Aconcagua with a guide, you make sure you have the right gear, the right direction, and most importantly, help when things get tough. Aconcagua expeditions that you can trust offer a lot of different services, such as professional guides, mule transport, high-quality gear, medical tracking, and satellite contact. Going up the Polish Glacier or the False Polish Glacier is part of the peak push. The part is high and tough, and it tests both your physical and mental strength.

If you want to learn how to climb Aconcagua safely, you can’t say enough good things about skilled guides. It’s up to them to make decisions that could mean the difference between success and failure, or even life and death. They know how the weather works and can spot the early signs of high-altitude sickness.

Getting Ready to Do Well

To be successful on the 360 Route, which goes up Aconcagua, you need to carefully plan ahead. Most climbers work out their hearts and lungs for months by carrying heavy packs and learning how to cross ice. The mental part is just as important. People who work on the climb need to be strong, patient, and able to make smart decisions when things get tough.

Taking this route to climb Aconcagua also takes a very long time. On the 360 Route, most hikes up Aconcagua take between 18 and 21 days. This gives you time to get used to the air and plan for days when bad weather could make you late. Conditions need to be tracked for a longer time on a mountain where things can change quickly and drastically.

The Prize

Climbers will always remember what it was like to stand on top of Aconcagua after completing the Aconcagua 360 traverse. You have now not only reached the highest point in the Americas but also gone around one of the world’s tallest mountains. This makes you feel even better about your accomplishment. From the quiet Vacas Valley to the open top ridge and the long, winding way down the western side, every step on this trail has a story to tell.

Last Thoughts People are still coming to climb Aconcagua Argentina from all over the world. The best way to see this lovely peak is on the 360 Route. You can take the 360 Route if you are an experienced mountain climber looking for a new challenge or an experienced trekker ready to take the next step. It will be a full and unforgettable journey. You can do this amazing journey if you have the right gear, skilled Aconcagua mountain guides, and a lot of respect for how strong the mountain is.

Aconcagua 360 Traverse: How the Full Route Differs from Standard Ascents

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There are many ways to see Aconcagua, but the only way that gives you a full view is the Aconcagua 360 traverse. The other path only goes up and down the mountain once. This path goes around the whole mountain. This gives you a better idea of how big, round, and interesting it is. Climbers who want more than just a straight ascent can enjoy this full circuit on Mount Aconcagua. It has a lot of different routes and feels like an adventure.

The path in Argentina’s Aconcagua goes against what most people think is the best way to climb the mountain. The focus shifts from a single peak to a constant trip around the mountain range. This shows how the way you choose changes the whole thing.

How to Make Regular Climbs of Aconcagua

Aconcagua Ascents have an easy plan that most people follow. Mountain climbers go up through one valley, set up camps, and then go back down through the same valley. People have used this method for a long time, and it works well. When you keep moving along the same road, you get used to it, your camps become set, and it’s easier to get things done.

These paths will get you to the top, but they won’t give you a great view of the mountain. Climbers can only see one side of Mount Aconcagua, and there are usually more people on the roads they use. This set-up works well for people who care mostly about getting things done quickly. It’s not as exciting or helpful as a full circle.

What Makes the Aconcagua 360 Traverse Unique?

On the Aconcagua 360 Route, you don’t do the same thing repeatedly. Instead, you move. The climbers don’t go back to where they began; they keep going around the mountain. This makes a trip where each day brings new sights, challenges, and soil.

Different from other climbs, the Aconcagua 360 trip is different in a few main ways. To begin, it has a lot of different hills and mountain sides. This lets climbers try out different situations and views. Second, the road is longer, so you’ll need to be able to keep going and carefully plan your route. Third, because the path goes forward instead of backward, there is a stronger sense of direction and success.

How paths are set up and how they flow

For standard Aconcagua Ascents, you will often need a safe base camp. At this point, climbers keep going back and forth between the same camps. Moving forward is important on the Aconcagua 360 Route, though. Camps are not in a loop; they are part of an order.

You can slowly get used to the altitude with this building instead of going up and down again. Over time, living at high elevations doesn’t change the body that much. Because climbers don’t have to go over the same steps or camps again, the flow of the way keeps their minds fresh.

Different kinds of land and scenery exposure

One of the main differences between the Aconcagua 360 traverse and other types of climbs is the range of scenery. The weather on one side of Mount Aconcagua stays the same for a few days, so most of the old tracks stay there. The full circle, on the other hand, goes around the mountain and through different places.

You can follow the Aconcagua 360 Route through wide valleys, narrow hills, open slopes, and basins with trees around them. This range of things keeps the trip interesting and forces you to be adaptable. Climbers must change how fast they go, what gear they use, and how they set up camp based on the weather.

Lots of people and time to be alone

Another big difference is how many people move around. Many of the common routes to the top of Aconcagua go along well-known roads that can get crowded in the summer. It can get busy at camps, and sharing things can make the whole thing less fun.

Aconcagua 360 is a trip that not many climbers usually do. People don’t just try to make the trip because it’s long and getting harder to plan. In camps for people on the full tour, this makes it more likely for people to feel alone and less noisy. Because Aconcagua is so big, being by yourself makes you feel even more like you’re a part of the mountain surroundings.

Stress on the mind and body

The technical difficulty of both paths is about the same, but the Aconcagua 360 Route puts more emphasis on endurance and consistency. The trip takes longer, and there are more rest days spread out over a bigger area. Climbers need to watch how much energy they use because it wears them down quickly.

To do the Aconcagua 360 trip, you need to have a clear mind and be patient. It can feel small to reach your goals when there aren’t any next steps. In normal ascents, clear goals are set by going up to higher camps repeatedly. Still moving forward along the full circle, on the other hand, shows growth.

Method of Acclimatization

How you get used to the high altitude is different on the Aconcagua 360 Route than on other Aconcagua Ascents. The routes which are based on carry-and-return tactics, have climbers going up and down to make changes. Over many days, as you walk along the route, you’ll gain height.

This slow rise lets the body respond naturally and reduces stress. A climber doesn’t feel like they’re going up and down sharp hills; they feel like they’re on a long trip. This makes it easier for a lot of people to get used to Mount Aconcagua.

Logistics and planning are not the same.

It’s simple to plan a normal climb. The points of entry and exit are the same, which makes it easier to move goods. For the Aconcagua 360 trek, you need to plan and work together more carefully. Time is even more important when entry and exit are in different places.

There are longer paths, more than one camp, and the chance that bad weather will cause delays. Things are harder because of this, but the trip is more important because of it. The way needs more planning, which is another reason why it’s known as a full mountain journey in Aconcagua, Argentina.

Thoughts and Experiences in General

The biggest difference between the Aconcagua 360 Route and other ways to climb Aconcagua is how you see them. Standard routes are designed to be quick and repeat themselves. It’s important to grow, explore, and become immersed in the full journey.

A lot of people who do the Aconcagua 360 trip say they feel like they’re closer to Mount Aconcagua. Getting different views of the mountain makes it look bigger and more interesting. The trip isn’t just about getting to the top; it’s also about learning about nature.

Last Thoughts

The Aconcagua 360 walk is a very different way to see the Andes’ highest peak. Go around the mountain instead of going up and down the same road. It makes climbers feel better, gives them more to do, and peace. The Aconcagua 360 Route is a great alternative to normal Aconcagua Ascents for people who want to take a longer and harder trip. This full circle takes Mount Aconcagua from a single goal into an entire expedition in Argentina’s vast landscapes.

Key Traits Of A Reliable Hiking Companion

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Before you book your perfect Aconcagua climb and leave, make sure you are taking the right companion with you. No matter how skilled and experienced you may be, a mountaineering journey is always better when done with an appropriate partner.

Moreover, another individual will also be able to help you out in several instances, offer support, share joy, etc. However, if you fail to get your hands on the ideal one, your trip can turn into a nightmare within a short time. Although it may seem tempting to hike solo, it significantly enhances your chances of being stuck or injured.

As a result, take your time to find the perfect companion for you and then book your tickets. You can achieve this target by ensuring your chosen individual has a few non-negotiable qualities. Let us now take a deeper look at these key traits for a better understanding of their efficiency:

  1. Good Communication Skills

As you may already be aware, there is not much to do on an Aconcagua guided climb other than walking for several hours a day. In times like these, if you do not have a partner with similar interests, it may feel lonely and exhausting to keep going.

Therefore, when choosing an individual, make sure your hobbies and thought processes line up with each other. Additionally, they should also be able to speak to you, frankly, voice their concerns, and be a good listener.

  • Compatible Fitness & Pace

When you are looking for the most amazing partner for your much-awaited mountaineering trip, make sure their fitness and pace levels are compatible with yours. This is an essential detail because it will enable you to finish the trip without anyone getting left behind or injured.

You should speak to them beforehand and find out the kind of vacation that they are expecting to ensure you can have a mutual experience. A trustworthy person should be able to respect you and their limits effortlessly.

  • Positive Attitude & Resilience

The next trait that you should search for in your buddy for the upcoming Aconcagua climb is a positive attitude. It is common knowledge that you will have to face various kinds of situations when hiking.

In times like these, your partner should be able to stay calm and be motivated if necessary. Not only that, but they should also be brave enough to deal with sudden drawbacks, find solutions, and maintain a high morale most of the time.

  • Responsible & Safety-Conscious

Another characteristic that a trustworthy companion should have is that they must be responsible and safety conscious. No matter how important the journey may be, your perfect buddy should always be willing to prioritize well-being.

They should also have a thorough knowledge of the area to prevent getting lost in any way. Other than that, they must also be dependable enough to share duties with. These details will enable you to share the burden of an Aconcagua guided climb equally among each other.

Conclusion

Although an individual may seem perfect at first, they may not be ideal for your rigorous hiking journey. As a result, it is essential for you to understand their traits before choosing them as your trekking partner. This blog can help you in this endeavor in the best possible way.

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.

Aconcagua Climbing – The challenge of reaching Colera

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Finally we arrived in Berlin, we made the tents since there was no room in the shelters, Esteban, who arrived first with Graciela, had a strong dispute with the guide of another expedition who was reserving places inside the shelter, as you can see the “criolla liveliness” it is immune to high altitudes, we look for snow far from the shelters so that it is not contaminated and we make water. Aconcagua Guided Climb

The fatigue at this height is incredible, to set up the tent, look for snow or simply change clothes. I took photos on the ascent. We are all very tired and the lack of oxygen is very noticeable. Tomorrow we plan to leave for the summit at four in the morning, I hope that the weather will be with us and we will achieve it because the effort is tremendous.

It’s a pity that the photos I don’t think show the imposing mountain landscapes and the precipices on the side of the path in their true dimension, when I look down I feel chills, a fall here must be more than 1000ms and without a doubt it is from the path to eternity, there is no chance of surviving something like that, the other big problem and what I see when looking up in some sections are avalanches, those avalanches of thousands of tons of ice and stones that bury everything in their path. However, at no time did I feel fear, only exhaustion and a tremendous desire to reach the summit. Aconcagua Mountain Guides

Arriving in Berlin we see a large number of lower snow-capped hills that surround us and the summit of Aconcagua covered by rock formations. We set up the tents with great effort and again go looking for snow to make water. Melting snow seems simple, but to make a liter of water from snow takes about forty minutes, the specialist in melting it is Mario and I go looking for it, Eduardo is the taster, he does the quality control… an efficient team .

Meals are quick and basic, based on instant soup, cheese, cold cuts, 4-cheese noodles, sausages, and cookies.

At this altitude, it is necessary to hydrate well, approximately 3 liters per day, to prevent the complications of altitude. In general, one is neither hungry nor thirsty despite great efforts, but eats and drinks liquids even if one does not feel like it, because dehydration and weakening due to lack of calories is fatal. I also take a vitamin pill every day. Aconcagua Ascents

The temperatures in Berlin are 15 degrees below zero, in the tent I estimate 5 degrees below zero.The tent moves a lot but it holds, I don’t know if we can go to the summit tomorrow.