Argentina - Aconcagua - Polish Traverse

Argentina

Polish Traverse (continued)

Cerro Aconcagua (22,841')

Itinerary

Day 12 — Casual wake-up; move to Camp 2. The team is feeling stronger as we become acclimatized, and this morning we move to Camp 2.

Day 13 — Early wake-up; carry to high camp; return to Camp 2. This morning we leave camp and climb moderate slopes until we intersect the Ruta Normal. At this altitude we’re really starting to take a buffeting from the Viento Blanco, the White Wind; so called because of the plume of snow it blows from the summit. Arriving at the Campo Independencia (20,320’), we cache our loads, take time to catch our breath, and rehydrate. After a short while we descend to Camp 2 to recuperate.

Day 14 — Casual wake-up; mandatory rest day in Camp 2. Today is a rest day to promote recovery and allow for proper acclimatization. Throughout the day we drink large quantities of hot drinks and eat large, high-calorie meals to top off our fuel reserves in preparation for tomorrow’s move to high camp and the upcoming summit days.

Day 15 — Early wake-up; move to high camp. This morning we move to high camp. Setting up camp is followed by an early dinner and then early to bed in anticipation of tomorrow’s summit day.

Day 16 — Alpine wake-up; Aconcagua summit; return to high camp. Leaving our high camp, we climb to the abandoned Refugio Independencia (21,450’); the world’s highest. From here we climb to the Paso del Viento, and in a short while the Gran Acarreo. From the Acarreo we traverse to the crux of the Ruta Normal – the Canaleta, the Spanish word for couloir. After grinding our way up the Canaleta’s 1500 feet of ball bearing scree and loose rock we reach the Cresta del Guanaco, which we follow to the roof of the Western Hemisphere. The 360-degree views from here are simply stunning; also breathtaking is the view down the sheer, 9000-foot South Face of Aconcagua. From the summit we descend to high camp for the night.

Days 17-18 — Optional days. These days can be used at any time during the expedition, and are built in to the itinerary to allow for illness or injury; to be used for additional rest and acclimatization; or as additional summit days to allow for unfavorable weather or route conditions.

Day 19 — Early wake-up; return to basecamp. This morning we descend to basecamp for well-deserved baths, lots of hot food and drink, and a somewhat warmer and less windy place to sleep.

Day 20 — Casual wake-up; mandatory rest day. Today is a rest day to promote recovery from our time at altitude. We will use this time to pack for tomorrow’s start of the hike out.

Day 21 — Early wake-up; return trek to Pampa de Lenas. After breakfast we load our gear onto mules for today’s hike back down the Quebrada Relinchos and the Quebrada de Vacas, steadily gaining back our strength as we descend. We arrive at our overnight camp at Pampa de Lenas in the late afternoon.

Day 22 — Casual wake-up; return trek to Punta de Vacas; transfer to Mendoza. After breakfast we load the mules one last time and hike out to Punta de Vacas, where we load into 4x4s for the three hour drive to Mendoza, arriving in the late afternoon. After hotel check-in we inventory gear and pack for travel. This evening, join your teammates for a celebration dinner and expedition debriefing.

Day 23 — Casual wake-up; transfer to airport; return flights home.

Note on Itinerary

Although our guides take reasonable measures to adhere to the itinerary, it is subject to change due to variables including, but not limited to, weather and route conditions, the condition and ability of the team, local and US government restrictions, airline changes or cancellations, other variables outside the control of Expedition-Logistics, blah, blah, blah.

Land Cost

Land Cost Includes
Professional U.S. and local guides, basecamp cook/manager, porters and pack animals, in-country ground and air transportation, all overnight accommodations, all scheduled meals, permits, group climbing equipment (ropes, rock, snow and ice protection, etc.), group camping equipment (tents, stoves, fuel, cooking pots, first aid kits, etc.), and oxygen where necessary.

Land Cost Does Not Include
International roundtrip airfare, personal climbing and camping equipment (see Personal Equipment Checklist for more information), trip cancellation insurance, medical or evacuation insurance, excess baggage fees or airport taxes, expenses incurred as a result of inclement weather or other conditions of nature, government action, illness, flight delays, or any other delays beyond the control of Expedition-Logistics, including unscheduled hotel nights and meals, incidental personal expenses (phone calls, laundry, room service, etc.), alcoholic beverages, or gratuities to guides, porters and staff.

Additional Information

See our Terms & Conditions for more. If you have questions regarding this expedition or your suitability for it, contact us at climb@expedition-logistics.com; please include your telephone number and the best time to call.