Tag: Aconcagua Expedition

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.

Aconcagua Climbing – Preparing the charges to begin the Ascent

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In the afternoon we put together the “petates” (packages), to carry food; to Plaza Canada tomorrow and to Nido de Cóndores on Saturday. Today I patched the mattress. Tonight we will eat a stew, I plan to go to sleep early, all the clothes have arrived in good condition, the mules behaved very well this time. In the first load, a can of beer broke and four liters of water spilled, so all the boxes got wet, nothing too serious. As I write this, I’m eating a snack with beer. We had a delicious lentil stew for dinner, I with beer, I still have a few cans left. Aconcagua Treks

How I fixed the inflatable mattress, despite the height (4200 meters) I slept straight for 6 hours, woke up at 4 am, read 1 hour with my headlamp, I got sleepy again and slept until 7 am. I feel very well physically, some colleagues have a headache, I only notice dry lips and skin despite the creams. At this height no vegetables grow and the only animals I have seen are a couple of beautiful and majestic condors that flew over us.

Friday 06/02/05

“The transparency and beauty of that great mountain arises when you are completely committed to it, when the dedication is mutual”

Today we get up at 7:00 a.m. and at 10:00 a.m. we leave for Plaza Canada (4910mts) to acclimatize by going up and also to carry food that we will leave there in closed bags covered with stones, that way we will carry less weight on the final ascent. Climb Aconcagua

In general the whole group well and even. I do not exceed 120 beats per minute at maximum effort, which is my usual frequency in hard training (big Jack!)

Esteban leads the march and Constanza closes it. In Plaza Canada we find several expeditions of foreigners camping. The landscape from here is impressive, I see the Cuerno hill, Plaza de Mulas from high above and the Tupungato hill with its snowy west wall. skate between the stones, a sensation similar to skiing.

On the descent Mario was a bit weak, I think he suffers from vertigo and as the slopes are very steep and with loose stones you have to skate away, it’s a very nice feeling… if you’re not afraid. Aconcagua Expedition

We arrived back at 3:30 p.m. very tired but happy. Spectacular weather, sun and heat with little wind (ideal)

While I was going up I was thinking about taking a photo of myself at the summit reading Don Quixote and on the way back I would take another one reading it in line at Citibank (to name just one of those that mortified me) put them together and put a sentence on it: “In the most exciting places and in the most frustrating and stressful the book can always accompany you ” and donate it to the General San Martín Library.

Aconcagua Argentina – Some considerations to come to Aconcagua

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Just by reviewing the main data on Mount Aconcagua (6,962 m), the highest peak in the world except for the Asian ranges, one has a primary approximation to the dimension not only of the future planned expedition, but of the mountain itself.

First, the height. Its summit of almost 7,000 meters above sea level is located on the border of the “death zone”, a mountaineering denomination defined by the Swiss doctor Edouard Wyss-Dunant above 7,500 meters, where there is no It is not possible for the human organism to acclimatize to such altitudes, but only to adapt for a limited period of time.

Climb Aconcagua

There is no doubt that Aconcagua is a very large mountain, due to its height, its distance in the approach from different routes and the unevenness that it is necessary to overcome to climb to its top. Although the normal routes of ascent do not present major technical difficulties, the natural conditions represent their greatest demand and risk: the extremely dry air, rarefied by the height, is the enemy to defeat on the journey to the summit. The humidity of the air above 4,000 meters is barely 10% and the partial pressure of oxygen at the top is 37% of that present at sea level.

Aconcagua Expedition

The actual stay on the hill also represents an extreme difficulty to overcome in order to obtain results, both in the long approach stage and in acclimatization and the stay in the high-altitude camps, with the consequent discomfort implied by the transit and permanence in such wild environment.

A conventional expedition to Aconcagua takes between 12 and 16 days in the mountain under normal conditions. Meanwhile, in the high altitude camps, above 5,000 meters, between 4 and 6 nights will be necessary.

The total difference in altitude to overcome from Horcones along the normal route to the summit is 4,000 meters, while the difference in altitude on the day of the summit, starting from the Berlin camp, is 1,100 meters. Signed by the obligation to comply with the health protocols established as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic, the Aconcagua (Mendoza, Argentina, 6960.8 m) 20221-2022 season officially begins next Monday, November 15, after yesterday’s publication of the decree that regulates it.

Aconcagua Hike

The legal instrument that governs the activity in the Provincial Park in the summer season, which runs until April 30, 2022, contains in its articles most of the presumptions that were unofficially handled until this Friday, three days before the start. In our opinion, the most important provision is the limited extension of the period of ascent to the highest peak in America itself, with entry to the Park for that purpose only from January 1 to 31 of next year. Therefore, between those dates and until February 15, summit attempts will be possible, considering that an expedition of these characteristics can take about 15 days.

Your mind must also be trained for the mountain

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

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

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

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

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

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

Aconcagua Climbing – 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 – 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.