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| Expedition to Aconcagua (Long expedition) |
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Aconcagua, “The Sentry Stone” in indigenous tongue, with its 6962 metres, is the highest mountain in the western hemisphere, the highest mountain in the southern hemisphere, the second highest of the seven continental summits and the highest mountain outside of the Himalayas! What more can you ask for!?
At this latitude the vegetation only reaches 3200 masl whereas in the Himalayas the 8000 masl mountains still have forests at 4000 masl; which helps with the quantity of oxygen available. For this reason Aconcagua is seen as a small 8000m.
The ascent up the Normal route does not present any great technical difficulties. Here, the challenge is set by the combination of being at altitude, low temperatures, very dry air, strong winds and the changeable weather that is so typical of the Andes.
This route is a marvellous challenge for any mountaineer, a beginner or an intermediate who wants to participate in a high mountain expedition.
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Itinerary
DAY 1: Arrive at the City of Mendoza in the morning. Transfer to a 3-star hotel. Check mountain equipment and organise entrance passes to the National Park Aconcagua. Welcome dinner.
DAY 2: Breakfast in the hotel and then depart for the community of Vallecitos (2800 masl) to start the acclimatisation process. Lunch, then a free afternoon to visit the area before dinner. Overnight in a mountain refuge.
DAY 3: Breakfast and depart towards Mount Lomas Blancas (3700masl). Packed lunch on the way and then descend to Vallecitos. Dinner and then overnight in refuge.
DAY 4: Breakfast and head towards one of the base camps of the Plata Range to overnight. This place is known as “The waterfall” (4100masl). Packed lunch on the way and dinner at high altitude camp.
DAY 5: Breakfast and then free day for acclimatisation. Lunch and dinner at a high altitude camp.
DAY 6: Breakfast and then an early departure for the summit of Mount Vallecitos (5700masl). Packed lunch on the way and then return to camp for dinner and overnight.
DAY 7: Breakfast and then descend to the ski centre of Vallecitos where a vehicle will be waiting for us, to transfer us to the community of Penitentes where we will overnight. Lunch and dinner will be in restaurants.
DAY 8: Breakfast and then leave in our vehicle for the locality of Horcones, here we must register at the national park entrance. We will start the ascent here for Confluencia (3300masl) campground. Lunch will be on the way, on arrival tents will be put up and dinner tonight will be in the Eating Tent.
DAY 9: Breakfast and towards the base camp of the Southern Face of Aconcagua –Plaza Francia (4100masl). Packed lunch and then return to Confluencia campground for dinner and overnight.
DAY 10: Breakfast and now head off for the normal base camp for Aconcagua, Plaza de Mulas (4200masl). Packed lunch on the way and dinner at base camp.
DAY 11: Breakfast and then the rest of the day will be free to walk around Plaza Mulas and environs. Lunch and dinner will be in the Eating Tent.
DAY 12: Breakfast and depart for Camp 1 (Canadá 4800masl) with all necessary equipment to prepare for the expedition to the summit. Descend to Plaza de Mulas. Packed lunch on the way and dinner back in the Eating Tent.
DAY 13: Breakfast and then the rest of the day will be free to relax. Lunch and dinner at Plaza de Mulas.
DAY 14: Breakfast and depart for Camp 1 (Canadá 4800masl). Packed lunch on the way, on arrival set up camp and dinner.
DAY 15: Breakfast and set off for Camp 2 (Nido de Cóndores 5200masl). Packed lunch on the way, on arrival set up camp and have dinner.
DAY 16: Breakfast and head to Camp 3 (Plaza Cólera 5900masl). Packed lunch on the way, on arrival set up camp and have dinner.
DAY 17: Breakfast and leave very early for the summit of Aconcagua (6962masl). Packed lunch. Having reached the summit return to Plaza Cólera. Dinner and overnight here.
DAY 18: Breakfast and go down to Plaza de Mulas (4200masl). Packed lunch and dinner at camp.
DAY 19: Breakfast and head towards the Puente del Inca (Inca Bridge) at 2700masl to then depart for the City of Mendoza. Packed lunch en route, in the evening a Good-bye dinner and overnight in 3-star hotel.
DAY 20: Breakfast and free day. Transfer to the airport or bus station. End of Services.
DAY 21: Extra day
DAY 22: Extra day
PLEASE NOTE:
This itinerary is just an example and could be modified by the mountain guide of the expedition if s/he considers it to be necessary because of the weather conditions, the health and fitness of the group or any other factors. Bearing in mind these facts, the programme includes 2 (two) extra days to increase the likelihood of success and reaching the summit of Aconcagua.
The mountain guides have not only climbed up Aconcagua plenty of times and on various routes, they have been sufficiently trained for treating high altitude sickness. They have and are able to use all the mountain equipment to make sure the expedition will be an enjoyable experience.
Our guides are fully qualified by the internationally recognised WFR (Wilderness First Responder). |
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SERVICES INCLUDED
- Mountain guide AAGM/EPGAMT (for every 3 people)
- Group equipment (tents, cooking equipment, etc)
- Breakfast, pack lunches, lunches in the Eating tent at camps, in all cases mentioned.
- Evening meals at camps and in restaurants when mentioned
- Help with hiring the correct mountain equipment
- Help to obtain the National Park entrance Pass.
- 2 (two) nights of lodging in a 3-star hotel in the city of Mendoza.
- 2 (two) nights of lodging in a mountain refuge in the community of Vallecitos.
- 1 (one) of lodging in a basic hotel in the locality of Penitentes.
- Transfer of mountain equipment on mules from Penitentes to Confluencia, then to Mulas Plaza and vice versa (maximum load 30kg per mule per person).
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Equipment provided:
-2-man Expedition tents (such as Mountain Hard Wear or North Face)
- All cooking equipment (cookers, fuel, etc)
-Ropes and safety equipment
- First aid kit
-VHF & SSB radio
- Topographical maps
-GPS (Global Positioning System)
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SERVICES NOT INCLUDED
-Additional porters
-Insurance
-Alcoholic and fizzy drinks are not included with lunch or dinner; only juice
-Tips
-Personal mountain equipment (see list of suggestions)
-Entrance permit to the National Park
-Anything else not specified
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Size of group: From 2 to 6 people |
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Suggested Personal Equipment List:
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HEAD
- Sun hat/cap (with visor)
- Balaclava (polypropylene or capilene)
- Hat – wool or polar (e.g. ski hat)
- Curved sunglasses with 100% UV protection (that protect the sides too)
- Neckerchief in order to protect the neck (e.g. Buff)
BODY
1st Layer (Base Layer):
- Light underwear
- Thermals top and bottom polypropylene or capilene (not cotton)
2nd layer
- Polar 200 fleece.
- Jacket with hood – down or Thinsulate
- Polar 200 Trousers.
3rd layer
- Waterproof jacket with hood (e.g. Gore-Tex)
- Over trousers (e.g. Gore-Tex)
HANDS
- Fine gloves. 2 pairs (polar or polypropylene)
- Mittens. 1 pair. (polar, down or wool)
- Waterproof gloves to cover the mittens (e.g. Gore-Tex)
FEET
- 2 pairs thin socks (fine wool, nylon or polypropylene)
- 3 pairs thick socks (wool or synthetic fibre for a cold climate)
- Walking boots
- Plastic expedition boots (Koflach or Assolo)
- Gaiters (Gore-Tex or Cordura)
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GENERAL EQUIPMENT
- 80-litre back pack
- Expedition sleeping bag (-18ºC /0ºF).1000 Gr. (Down would be the best)
- Bed mat (Therma-rest)
- Head torch (with spare bulbs and batteries (e.g. Petzl)
- Swiss army knife
- 2 water bottles (e.g. Nalgene)
- Thermos flask (1 lt.)
- Bottle for urine
- Sun block
- Lip protection – full block
- Personal First Aid kit
- Small toilet bag
TECHNICAL EQUIPMENT
- Light-weight Ice pick.
- Walking poles (telescopic)
- 12-point crampons
FOR THE JOURNEY
- Large strong and sturdy bag. It should be big enough to transport all your equipment for the expedition. With security lock.
- A small extra bag. For leaving other belongings in the hotel deposit.
- Plastic bags. For packing clothes and keeping them dry.
- Travelling clothes
- Camera (Optional)
HOW TO PACK?
Each bag shouldn’t weigh more than 30kg. This is because our mules can take a maximum of 60kg and the load must be evenly distributed on either side of the animal. |
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WHAT DO WE REQUEST OF YOU?
-Good level of fitness and willing to carry a rucksack of about 20/25kg
-Experience in trekking from one camp to the next
-Proactive attitude and happy to work as part of a team
-No technical experience is necessary
EQUIPMENT & LOGISTICS
-Technical, safety and camp equipment will be provided.
-Throughout the expedition, all meals will be provided by Walk Patagonia.
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The client can hire porters or extra mules locally for transporting equipment.
Climate
The climate in this area is very unstable and unpredictable. Therefore a certain amount of flexibility must be permitted in the proposed programme. 2 extra days are forecasted in the programme in order to carry out the expedition.
Any change to the programme, for the security of the group, will be an unarguable decision made by the Mountain Guide.
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