Aconcagua Expedition, December-January-February, open expeditions (with fixed departure dates) and private expeditions.
Aconcagua , the ” Stone Sentinel ” is the highest mountain in America. The normal route is technically straightforward, although the difficulty of this mountain lies in its high altitude and its complex weather, with sudden changes and strong winds aloft.
21/05/2014
availibilty – 5
Aconcagua – ARGENTINA
Mountains
6 days
5/16 MIN/MAX
04/07 – 01/08, 2014
Aconcagua, the "Stone Sentinel" is the highest mountain in America.
His usual route is technically straightforward, but the difficulty of this mountain lies in its high altitude and its complex weather, with sudden changes of weather and strong winds aloft. To make a successful ascent of the mountain, it is necessary to perform a structured and rigorous acclimatization maintain proper physical condition and to attack the summit on a day with favorable weather.
The journey begins in Mendoza, where the first two days will make getting permits and access to the park, we will review the material and know the group members.
From Mendoza will travel to the control of the park to join the path that will lead us to Confluence (3,300 m), up the river Horcones.
The fourth day will make a nice trail to the lookout near Plaza Francia, to spot the spectacular south face of Aconcagua, with its 3000 meters of altitude.
The last day of cross approximation Playa Ancha and ascend the "Cuesta Brava" before reaching the base camp at Plaza de Mulas (4,260 m). Here we stay for a rest day to acclimatize and prepare for the following days portages.
The climb itself begins at day 7, with a first portage camp to Plaza Canada (4,900 m), which will be uploaded to sleep the next day.
From here the strategy will be new material to portage Condors Nest (5,300 m) and go to sleep the next day, ie on 10. From this point, the summit will face directly without descending.
The next camp will place it in Berlin or Cholera (5.899/6.000 m), where we rest, eat well and drink plenty of fluids the day to tackle the ascent to the summit of Aconcagua.
The summit day starts very early in the morning, have breakfast and get ready to leave at about 4 PM.
The means of ascent to the summit are 8 to 10 hours.
During the ascent we pass Piedras Blancas, reaching Independence refuge (6,200 m).
At this point we will evaluate weather conditions to cross the Windward Passage and make the journey that takes us to the gutter (6,600 m), a critical step of ascension.
Once this ramp we come out on the ridge, called "Filo del Guanaco", already very near the summit.
It will be time for photos and to see the majesty of the Andes from its highest vantage point.
The descent will take the same route to reach the camp in Berlin, cholera.
For top have done, the next day will be dedicated to slowly descend to Plaza de Mulas, in a march that will take us about 6 hours.
Another long day will take us back to the Laguna Horcones, where we wait wait our support vehicle that will take us first to Penitentes and then to the city of Mendoza where we expect a good hot shower and sleep in a comfortable bed.
The program saves three extra days available to cover eventualities climatic and thereby ensure a better chance of success in reaching the summit.
Previous experience and a good physical condition to participate in this expedition is required.
Minimum group size: 4 people
Price: 2.698 €
Day 1 - Meeting at Mendoza. Programme and equipment presentation
Day 2 - Paperwork and licenses
Day 3 - Mendoza - Confluencia
Day 4 - Confluencia – Plaza Francia – Confluencia
Day 5 - Confluencia - Plaza de Mulas
Day 6 - Plaza de Mulas
Day 7 - Porteo Plaza Canadá
Day 8 - Plaza Canadá
Day 9 - Porteo to Nido de Cóndores
Day 10 - Nido de Cóndores
Day 11 - Cólera or Berlín camp
Day 12 - Summit day, return to Berlín
Day 13 - Berlín descent – Mulas
Day 14 - Plaza de Mulas – Transfer to Mendoza
Day 15 - Extra day
Day 16 - Extra day
Day 17 - Extra day