Summit Acconcagua
Day 1 – Mendoza, Argentina
Once you arrive in Mendoza, Argentina you will meet your guide for a
private transfer back to the Hotel. We will have a nice evening out in
Mendoza and enjoy the local cuisine. We will stay at Diplomatic Hotel in
the heart of the city close to bars and restaurants. The first day in
Mendoza is to relax after the long international flight.
Overnight Diplomatic Park Suite – No Meals
Day 2 – Mendoza, Argentina
After a nice breakfast at the hotel we will transfer into the city to
obtain our permits for the climb. The park service requires all members
of the party to sign their own permit form and fill out the appropriate
information.
Overnight Diplomatic Park Suite – Breakfast and Dinner
Day 3 – Drive to Penitentes
After we obtain our permits we will transfer to Penitentes,
approximately 4 hours away, via private transfer where we will give our
bags to the mule service.
We will stay at Hotel Ayelen at the base of Penitentes Ski Resort
situated at 8,900 feet.
Overnight Hotel Ayelen – Twin Share – Full Board
Day 4 – Hike to Confluencia
After a good breakfast at Hotel Ayelen we will transfer to Horcones and
sign in with the park service. From here we will begin our 10 km, 6
mile, walk towards Camp Confluencia situated at just below 3,380 meters
(10,827 ft). After we arrive at camp we will have a good portion of the
day to rest while we continue to acclimate. The camp has spectacular
views of the surrounding peaks and is our first chance to appreciate the
altitude in this arid environment.
Overnight Confluencia Camp – Full Board
Day 5 – Hike to Plaza Francia
After breakfast we will make our way to Plaza Francia, approximately
3,900 meters (12,795 ft), and a view of Aconcagua from the imposing
South Face. There is a great viewing area for pictures and we will have
lunch here at our maximum elevation. The South Face has only been
climbed by a select few and its treacherous avalanches can be seen from
Plaza Francia. This will be a long trek where we will take our time and
adjust to the ability level of the group. We will arrive back to camp no
later than 4pm and have a chance to rest before we eat dinner prepared
in our dining tent.
Overnight Confluencia Camp – Full Board
Day 6 – Hike to Plaza de Mulas
With an early start, we will grab a good breakfast and begin our long
trek towards Plaza de Mulas. This will be our longest day and will
require the entire group to be prepared with ample water, snacks, and
sunscreen due to the extreme aridity of this terrain. The trail follows
the Valley de Los Horcones along rocky terrain as we slowly gain
altitude throughout the day. We will have lunch on the trail at an
unused camp site known as Refugio Ibanez. After approximately 22 km
(12.2 miles) we will reach our destination of Plaza de Mulas where we
will enjoy hot water, nice rooms, and good food at our dining tent in
Plaza de Mulas.
Overnight – Plaza de Mulas – Full Board
Day 7 – Rest Day
This will be a complete rest day. We encourage everyone to get out, walk
around for while, and get the legs moving, but there will be no
acclimating or trekking today. We will have breakfast, lunch, and
dinner, all prepared in the dining tent.
Overnight – Plaza de Mulas – Full Board
Day 8 – Acclimatization Hike to Cerro
Bonete
After a good breakfast we will trek up a local peak, Cerro Bonete
(16,430 ft) to get further acclimated and begin our preparation for our
summit push. Breakfast will be served in the dining tent, and lunch will
be packed to take on the trek, and dinner will be provided upon return.
Overnight – Plaza de Mulas – Full Board
Day 9 – Acclimatization Hike to Camp Canada
Today will be our first look at the mountain and the terrain we will
cover once we depart from base camp. We will climb up past Camp Canada
and progress to a higher elevation to further acclimate.
Overnight – Plaza de Mulas – Full Board
Day 10 – Rest Day
This day is dedicated as another rest day where we will have one last
night in Plaza de Mulas before we begin our summit push. If desired
there is a day hike for anyone who feels strong. All meals will be in
the dining tent and we will pack our gear the night before.
Overnight – Plaza de Mulas – Full Board
Day 11 – Climb to Campo Canada
After a good breakfast we will leave Plaza de Mulas and climb up the
scree slopes to the pinnacles surrounding the flat promontory of Camp
Canada situated at 4,907 m (16,200 ft.) Hiking time is usually 3 to 4
hours. We will spend the night here and prepare for our next day to Nido
de Condores.
Overnight – Camp Canada – Full Board
Day 12 – Climb to Nido de Condores
Today we will make our way up the mountain to Nido de Condores and will
stay the night here. Nido de Condores is a large flat area with some
large rocks that provide wind breaks. The view to the south, across a
vast scree field called the Gran Acarreo, reveals the famous Canaleta
Couloirs and the summit of Aconcagua. This will take approximately 4.5
hours with plenty of switchbacks before we reach Camp 2 at 5,395 m
(17,500 ft.).
Overnight – Nido de Condores Camp – Full Board
Day 13 & 14 – Rest Day
This day is scheduled for rest and weather.
Overnight – Nido de Condores Camp – Full Board
Day 15 – Climb to Camp Colera
Our route from here ascends the subtle crest of the Northwest ridge
towards Camp Berlin at 5,791 m (19,000 ft.). We will push on from here
and move up to our high camp known as Camp Colera. This camp, situated
at 5,823 m (19,200 ft.), offers better protection from the wind and is
often less crowded than Berlin Camp. Camp Colera, while being a higher
camp, does offer a more direct route to the summit and reduces our time
at the extreme altitudes. Your guide will make this determination to
proceed to this camp as we make our ascent up the mountain.
Overnight – Colera Camp – Full Board
Day 16 – SUMMIT DAY
Sunday January 23, 2011
From our high camp we depart between 4-5 am where the route continues
along the Northwest ridge, passing the highest refuge in the world,
Refugia Independencia, at 21,476 ft. From these ruins we continue
climbing up and right, crossing the Cresta del Viento (Windy Crest).
From here we traverse the upper part of the Gran Acarreo, which leads to
the Canaleta, the most famous and challenging part of the entire climb.
The Canaleta is an approximately 30° scree gully that rises 500 m (1,500
ft) and requires great patience and stamina. Above the Canaleta, we will
find ourselves on the Cresta del Guanaco, the ridge that joins the lower
South Summit to the higher North Summit. We follow the ridge crest to
the 6,962 m (22,841 ft.) true summit, where an aluminum cross marks the
highest point in the Western Hemisphere! The 360° views from the summit
are awe-inspiring as you gaze out towards the numerous 6,000 m peaks of
the Andes. Summiting and returning to high camp takes between 10-13
hours.
Overnight – Colera Camp – Full Board
Day 17 – Decend to Base Camp
Today we descend back to Base Camp and have a celebratory dinner, the
option for a hot shower, and plenty of rest before we make our way back
to Penitentes.
Overnight – Plaza de Mulas – Full Board
Day 18 – Return to Mendoza
In the morning we will have the opportunity to descend in two different
fashions. 1) Anyone who wishes to hike the remaining 25 km will depart
at 8:30 with your guide and meet the party back at the trailhead around
15:30 pm; or 2) we can descend via helicopter departing around 15:00 and
arriving around 15:30 to the trailhead.
Overnight Diplomatic Park Suite – Breakfast and Dinner
Day 19 – Return Home
Have breakfast at the hotel and transfer to airport for our flights back
home
