Mount Aconcagua

Trip Summary:
Mendoza (700 m) – Penitentes (2,700 m) – Aconcagua Provincial Park – Confluencia (3,300 m) – Plaza de Mulas Base Camp (4,250 m) – Plaza Canadá (4,900 m) – Nido de Cóndores (5,500 m) – Berlin (5,900 m) – Summit of Mount Aconcagua (6,961 m).

Why go there?
Aconcagua (6,961 m) is the highest mountain in South America and one of the Seven Summits. It is located in Argentina, in the province of Mendoza. The name may have several possible origins: Kon-Kawa (“Snowy Peak”) from the Argentine Aymara language; Aconca-Hue (“Coming from the Other Side”) from Chilean Araucanian; or Akon-Kahuak (“Stone Sentinel”) from Quechua. From the summit, climbers are rewarded with breathtaking views of the vast white ranges of the Andes Mountains. As a climbing objective, Aconcagua offers a wide variety of interesting routes at all technical levels. The Normal Route (or NW Route) is physically very demanding but not technically difficult.

Route Description:
Our expedition begins in the city of Mendoza. Upon arrival, we travel directly to Penitentes (a small village near Puente del Inca), and the following day we begin the ascent via the Normal Route. We spend two nights at Confluencia Base Camp (3,300 m) and, for better acclimatization, two nights at Plaza de Mulas Base Camp (4,350 m). Afterwards, with the support of experienced guides and porters, we begin establishing the high camps: Plaza Canadá (4,900 m), Nido de Cóndores (5,500 m), and Berlin (5,900 m). On Day 12, we attempt the summit. A contingency day is included to account for bad weather. The expedition concludes in Mendoza, where we spend one final night before saying goodbye to this remarkable region with gratitude.