Aconcagua Argentina – Some tips for climbing Aconcagua

Aconcagua is the highest peak in the world outside the Himalayas.

Its 6,962 meters high and its incredible landscapes make it the goal of mountaineers from all over the world. The “Colossus of America” ​​is as longed for as it is wild and in order to reach its summit we must prepare ourselves physically and mentally since it is capable of taking us to the limit of our body and spirit.

Temperatures down to -30°C

This mystical mountain is capable of punishing us with temperatures that reach -30°C, unstoppable winds of more than 100 km and as if this were not enough, we must add the effect of height that modifies our body due to the lack of oxygen. But don’t be scared! The harder the challenge, the more we will enjoy the triumph. In order for your chances of reaching the top to be high, it will be important to have specific equipment that we are going to tell you about below.

WE WILL DIVIDE THE NECESSARY EQUIPMENT INTO

CLOTHING AND EQUIPMENT FOR TREKKING

CAMP

CLOTHING FOR EXPEDITION

The Horcones (2950 meters)

The first stage of our trip will find us in the Los Horcones valley (2950) where the entrance to the Aconcagua National Park is located. During the journey to base camp, we will generally find pleasant temperatures that can range between 20°C and 30°C, so the first stage of our trip does not require clothing as complex as we will see later. Mount Aconcagua

1: CLOTHING AND EQUIPMENT FOR TREKKING

  • Footwear: Waterproof trekking boots
  • Foot protection: Stockings made of synthetic material.
  • Pants: Removable quick-drying pants
  • Shirt: Long-sleeved thermal shirt made of synthetic material.
  • Superior Coat: Jacket or Windstopper diver
  • Eye protection: Sunglasses
  • Head protection: Hat or cap with UV filter if possible.

 

70 LITERS BACKPACK

It must be comfortable and of excellent quality, we are going to carry everything we will need throughout our adventure, so it must have an estimated capacity of 70L.

TREKKING STICKS

Like the backpack, the trekking poles will be our companions during the route, they will help our body to maintain balance, better distribute the weight and facilitate walking.

 

We can already see the base camp of Aconcagua…

PLAZA MULAS (4260 meters) Aconcagua Argentina

We reached our first big goal! We can already see the base camp of Aconcagua. Plaza de Mulas is located at an altitude of 4,260 meters and there we will find a park ranger and medical attention post.

Constantly reviewing our physical condition is essential since we are at a considerable height. Not all organisms react to the decrease in oxygen in the same way, not paying attention to the signals that the human body sends us can put our lives at risk.

The fatigue of the accumulated marches and the acclimatization to the altitude make it increasingly difficult to recover energy. Having the ideal team for the camp is going to make a difference in the stages ahead of us.

 

Aconcagua Climbing – Tips for a risk-free expedition

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 – Learn to trust yourself at 7000 meters

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.