Argentina - Aconcagua - Ruta Normal

Argentina

Ruta Normal (continued)

Cerro Aconcagua (22,841')

Itinerary

Day 12 — Casual wake-up; mandatory rest day. Today is a rest day to promote recovery and allow for proper acclimatization. We will use this time to organize additional loads to carry for tomorrow’s move to Camp 2.

Day 13 — Casual wake-up; move to Camp 2. This morning we once again shoulder packs filled with extra food, fuel and equipment, and move to Camp 2. Nido de Condores, the “Condors’ Nest” is a romantic name for what is in reality a wind-blown camp site scratched into a bleak and barren saddle. To the south is a scree field known as the Gran Acarreo (“Long Haul”), across which we can see the Canaleta (“Gully”) that will lead us to the summit. After setting up camp, we spend the remainder of the day recuperating, organizing gear for tomorrow’s carry to high camp, and taking in the views.

Day 14 — Casual wake-up; carry to high camp; return to Camp 2. After breakfast we once again toil under our heavy packs for today’s equipment carry to high camp. We cross to the other end of the plateau and climb to the right, following the Northwest Ridge to our high camp, also known as Berlin Camp, at 19,520’. This high on the mountain we stand a good chance of taking a buffeting from the Viento Blanco, the White Wind; so called because of the plume of snow it blows from the summit. After caching our gear, we take a short break to recover from our climb, take in the views, and descend to Camp 2. We spend the remainder of the day recuperating from our carry, drinking large quantities of hot drinks, and eating 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 load up one last time and again follow the Northwest Ridge for our move to high camp. Camp Berlin is home to the Refugio Berlin, built in 1998 by Pfalz chapter of the German Alpine Club. There are three older, highly decrepit, but still-used shelters here as well; the old Refugio Berlin, the Libertad, and the Plantamura. After setting up camp we spend the afternoon recuperating and organizing gear. Following an early dinner we retire in anticipation of tomorrow’s summit day.

Day 16 — Alpine wake-up; Aconcagua summit; return to high camp. We depart high camp by headlamp and continue farther along the Northwest Ridge; enroute we pass the ruins of the Refugio Independencia (21,480’), once the world’s highest. At this point in our climb we might chance to meet teams climbing the Polish Glacier Route, which ascends from the other side of the mountain, and then intersects our route and continues along it to the summit. Climbing from Independencia we reach the Cresta del Viento (“Windy Ridge”), cross the upper reaches of the Gran Acarreo, and eventually arrive at the famous Canaleta. The Canaleta is a scree-choked gully rising at an angle of 30-degrees for about 1,300 feet; a severe test of patience, and the most challenging part of the route. Exiting the Canaleta we reach the Cresta del Guanaco, a ridge joining the North and South Summits; we continue along the ridge to the North Summit (22,841’), and stand atop the Andes and the highest point in the Western Hemisphere. The 360-degree views from here are stunning, as is the breathtaking 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 Puente del Inca. After breakfast we load our gear onto mules for today’s hike back down the Horcones Valley, steadily gaining back our strength as we descend. We arrive at our overnight destination at Puente del Inca in the late afternoon and settle into the dormitory.

Day 22 — Casual wake-up; transfer to Mendoza. This morning we load into 4x4s and depart Puente del Inca for the four-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.