ACONCAGUA by the NORMAL ROUTE                                                            

Expedition Overview

An expedition to the summit of Aconcagua in the Andes mountain range is an amazing journey to high altitude in a harsh but beautiful environment. Aconcagua borders Chile to the west but is entirely located within Argentina.

• Highest peak outside Asia

• Dramatic ice glaciers

• Panoramic summit views

• Experienced local guides

At 6962m, Aconcagua is the highest mountain in the Americas, second only to Everest on the Seven Summits list. Despite these impressive statistics it can be climbed by the fit trekker with limited experience of mountaineering. Aconcagua has two summit peaks connected by a 1km ridge known as the Cresto del Guanaco. The whole massif is shaped like a huge wedge - it has a very steep southern side and a gentle slope on the northern edge. The huge Polish Glacier expands out eastwards and numerous arêtes and couloirs flank it on the west. Aconcagua offers a variety of interesting routes for climbers of all levels, but in this package our ascent/descent is from the north via the Normal Route; the least technically challenging and the most well-trodden path, thus giving us the best chance of success.

The route starts from the Lower Horcones Valley, via a long path leading all the way to Plaza del Mulas (4260m). At this base camp there is little or no vegetation and it is dry and cold with temperatures ranging from -15°C to +15°C. We use mules to take most of the gear to this point. From base camp there are three high camps on the Normal Route:

• Base Camp to Plaza Canada (4930m) - 5 hours on a long scree slope with winding path

• Plaza Canada to Nido de Cóndores (5350m) - 5 hours on a path of scree & loose snow

• Nido de Cóndores to Berlin (5770m) - 4 hours on a rocky & snowy path

• Berlin to summit (6962m) - 8 to 10 hours on rock, snow & ice

Aconcagua is the highest trekking peak in the world and is a strenuous summit excursion, ideally suited to those with previous trekking experience above 5000m. It offers a logical progression from Kilimanjaro and is a more demanding challenge that requires thorough preparation to maximise your chances of success. Although experience in the use of crampons is not essential, it is beneficial if you have some previous experience of backpacking and camping in winter conditions. The extreme cold and strong winds teamed with the demands of operating at high altitude make climbing Aconcagua a very tough proposition. But with good preparation, a specialised programme of acclimatisation and a positive attitude the summit is within reach.

Participation Statement

Mountaineering and trekking can be dangerous and such activities carry an inherent risk of injury or death. Our professional guides continually undertake dynamic assessments to minimise the level of risk but it is neither possible nor desirable to reduce the risk entirely, as objective dangers such as avalanches and rock fall occur in the mountains and are largely out of our control. Altitude sickness is also likely and although there is no saying how each individual will react, we will do our utmost to enable each person to acclimatise fully. Participants must understand and accept any risks and take responsibility for their own involvement.

Itinerary

Day 1	Arrive in Argentina and travel to Mendoza City. Private shuttle from the airport to the hotel. Purchase permits. Rent/buy any last minute equipment. Welcome dinner in the evening.
Day 2	Travel from hotel in Mendoza to hotel in Los Penitentes (2580m). Lunch at Uspallata Valley (en route to Los Penitentes) or at Penitentes restaurant. Estimated time: 3 hours
Day 3	Shuttle transfer from Los Penitentes to Aconcagua Provincial Park Trail Head (Laguna de Horcones, 2850m). Hike to Confluencia (3300m). Estimated time: 3-4 hours
Day 4	Hike from Confluencia to Plaza Francia (4100m), Aconcagua's South Face Base Camp. Return to Confluencia for overnight stay. Estimated time: 6-7 hours
Day 5	Hike from Confluencia to Plaza de Mulas Base Camp (4260m). Estimated time: 7-9 hours
Day 6	Acclimatisation and rest day at Plaza de Mulas.
Day 7	Practice load carrying and acclimatisation from Plaza de Mulas to Plaza Canadá (4930m) and Nido de Cóndores (5350m). Return to Plaza de Mulas. Estimated time: 3-4 hours
Day 8	Acclimatisation and rest day at Plaza de Mulas.
Day 9	Climb from Plaza de Mulas to Plaza Canadá (4930m). Estimated time: 3 hours
Day 10	Climb from Plaza Canadá to Nido de Cóndores (5350m). Estimated time: 3-4 hours
Day 11	Climb from Nido de Cóndores to Berlin (5770m) or Colera (5980m) Estimated time: 2-3 hours
Day 12	Summit bid on Aconcagua, Normal Route. Estimated time: 8-12 hours
Day 13	Extra day in case of bad weather.
Day 14	Extra day in case of bad weather.
Day 15	Descent to Plaza de Mulas Base Camp (4260m).
Day 16	Hike from Base Camp to Laguna de Horcones (2850m). Shuttle to Los Penitentes, equipment gathering. Travel to Mendoza hotel followed by farewell dinner and presentation handing out certificates. Estimated time: 6-7 hours walking and 3 hours by vehicle.
Day 17	Private shuttle from the hotel to the airport and departure for the UK.

This itinerary is only intended as a guide. Adventure travel can be affected by a huge variety of factors including adverse weather, landslides, strikes and breakdowns. The need to spend time acclimatising is crucial to the overall success of the expedition. Our staff will work hard to give you the best possible experience but please be aware that there are some things outside of our control.

What's Included:

• Private return shuttle from airport to Mendoza hotel

• 2 nights hotel double occupancy rooms with breakfast included

• Welcome and Farewell dinner-lunch in Mendoza (drinks include one bottled water per person)

• Assistance obtaining the necessary climbing permits

• Return transportation in private vehicles from hotel in Mendoza to Los Penitentes

• Lunch at Uspallata Valley in route to Los Penitentes (drinks include one bottled water per person)

• 1 night in Hotel Penitentes includes dinner and breakfast (drinks include one bottled water per person)

• Transportation from Los Penitentes to the Laguna de Horcones trail head

• Mules for equipment transportation from our base at Puente del Inca (Los Puquios) to Plaza de Mulas. 30kg allowance per person

• Transportation of personal equipment to the intermediate Confluencia Camp if necessary

• Food and drinks in Confluencia, 2 nights in total; including Geodesic Domes with real beds, hot shower, and a bathroom with toilet seat. Our camps also have a solar energy system, VHF and BLU communications, and our meals are prepared following strict standards of hygiene and contain high nutritional value

• Food, drinks and base camp services in Plaza de Mulas for up to 5 nights. Includes: private mess tent with tables and seats, all necessary plates/dishes, served meals, cook, equipment storage tent, electric lights, permanent radio communication, toilet tent. Includes high quality four season tents (North Face, Mountain Hard Wear, Ferrino), stoves and cookware

• All necessary meals at the high altitude camps

• Bilingual high altitude mountain guide and assistants (depending on the size of the group, Ratio 1:3)

• Porters for tent and group equipment transportation from Base Camp to the High Altitude Camps

• Medical kits during the expedition

• Radio for permanent communication between base camp, Mendoza and Puente del Inca to be able to coordinate different logistical issues, reservations and when necessary, rescues or evacuations

• Satellite pay phone and Internet Service at Plaza de Mulas Base Camp

• Discount outdoor clothing voucher for Cotswold Outdoors and Montane

What's Not Included:

• International flights

• Aconcagua Provincial Park climbing permit (varies according to season)

• Excess baggage charges

• Personal equipment

• Travel insurance

• Personal porter

• Tips for local staff

• Costs incurred if the expedition finishes early or late

• Costs incurred if you leave the expedition early

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