Ascent Of Mt. Aconcagua With Acclimatization On The Maipo Volcano
Available: From January, 1th to March, 15th.
Duration: 21 days
Departure: 15 de Enero 2009
The cone of Maipo and its reflection in the blue waters of a high
mountain lake conform a powerful image, that honors the name of the place, Laguna del Diamante (Diamond Lagoon). This 5323 m volcano offers one of the best non-technical climbs in the Central Andes, for the landscape and for the unique wildlife that thrives here, protected by a State Reserve. Guanacos (a smaller relative of the llama), condors and migratory birds are a permanent company along the trip.
Mount Aconcagua is the maximum height of the American Continent, and the highest mountain outside Asia. With 6962 meters, its massif stands above the neighboring peaks in the Central Andes of Mendoza, Argentina. Mt Aconcagua is one of the seven summits, the biggest mountains of eachcontinent.
Itinerary
D1 Shuttle from airport or bus station to Mendoza City (20 minutes). Assistance with the gear, permits, weather conditions in the mountain. Last minute buys or rental.
D2 Travel from Mendoza to Laguna del Diamante Natural Reserve (3,300m) where we make our Base Camp. It is a 245 km ride, in 4x4 vehicle. It takes betwen 4 and 5 hours. The roads gets into a Natural Reserve, full of wildlife. Camp and dinner. Night in tents.
D3 Trekking for acclimatization in Laguna del Diamante. We take an easy walk along the springs of Diamante River, a virgin ravine wher many birds nest. It is a 5-hour trek. We have lunch by the river. Afternoon for relax. Dinner and night at Laguna base camp.
D4 Trekking Base Camp- Camp 1. We cross the volcanic fields of black stones and approach the slopes of Maipo. 5 hours. Altitude: 3800 m. Camp in tents.
D5 Trekking Camp 1- Camp 2. The path gains altitude, in a 5 to 7 hour trek across moraines, towards a terrace at 4200 m, where we make our second and last camp.
D6 Summit day. Early departure, with high mountain boots and crampons. After some steep rocky slopes we reach a col and the imposing crater of the vulcano. We cross the snowfield in the crater and head toward the summit ridge, to get to the summit itself in some 7 or 8 hours. Return to Camp 3 hours.
D7 Trekking Camp 2-Base camp. Return to San Carlos. Night in a country lodge with celebration barbecue and local fine wines.
D8 Travel from San Carlos to Mendoza. Purchase of climbing permit and gear preparation. Rest day.
D9 Transfer to Horcones (entrance to Aconcagua Park, 2800m), 180 km paved road. Permit check at Ranger post. Trekking to Confluencia Camp (3300m, 4-5 hours). Tea and dinner at dining tent, full service. Night in tents.
D10 Trekking Confluencia-Plaza de Mulas Base Camp (4250m, 7-8 hours). It is an intense day, to cross the long "Playa Ancha" and to climb the slope of "Cuesta Brava". In the big base camp we rest with a tea in the dining tent, where we have dinner later. Night in tents.
D11 Rest and acclimatization day in Plaza de Mulas.
D12 Food and gas carry to Camp 1 (Plaza Canada, 5050m) and Camp 2 (Nido de Condores, 5450 m) and return to Base Camp. It is an easy trail, but the difference in altitude demands an effort.
D13 Rest and acclimatization day at Base Camp.
D14 Base Camp- Camp1 (Plaza Canada, 5050m, 4 hours). We leave the comforts of base camp and head towards the altitude.
D15 Camp 1- Camp 2 (Nido de Condores, 5450m, 4 hours).
D16 Camp 2- Camp 3 (Plaza Colera 5850m, or Berlin 5850m) (3 hours). Climb to the last camp.
D17 Summit day. Early departure, with warm clothes and light pack. We head towards Independencia hut, then the Portezuelo del Viento (Windy Col), the traverse and the last couloir (the Canaleta). It is a 10 hour climb to the summit; at 6962m, the highest point in the American continent! Return to camp Colera or Berlin.
D18 Extra day allowed for summit bid in the case of bad weather.
D19 Return to Base Camp.
D20 Base Camp- Horcones and travel from Puente del Inca to Mendoza. (7 hours)
D21 Shuttle to airport or bus station.
Personal Gear
Pants:
1 pair of underwear bottoms (polipropilen)
1 pair of fleece pants.
1 pair of waterproof-breatheable pants (gore-tex, ultrex or similar)
Tops:
4 t-shirts.
2 propilen underwear top.
1 polar fleece jacket.
Jacket:
1 down jacket (or equivalent)
1 waterproof-breatheable jacket (gore-tex, ultrex or similar)
Gloves:
1 pair of liner gloves.
1 pair of fleece or synthetic gloves.
1 pair of mittens.
1 pair of waterproof mittens (gore-tex, ultrex or similar)
Head Garments:
1 balaclava (fleece or synthetic)
1 cap for the sun.
Shoes:
Mountaneering boots (-25º C).
Hiking boots.
Extra pair of shoes.
Socks:
4 pairs for daily use.
2 wool or synthetic paires
Sunglasses:
1 pair with UVA and UVB protection.
1 extra pair.
Headlamp:
Sleeping Bag (–25°C)
Sleeping pad:
Backpack: (70-90 litres)
Poles:
1 pair of ski or hiking poles.
Wool or synthetic socks
Sunscreen
Crampons
Ice Axe
Gaiters
Included Services
Transportation from and to the airport or bus station
Gear and permit check, assistance with gear and permit
One-night lodging in San Carlos with half board.
Three hotel (***) nights in Mendoza with breakfast.
Transportation Mendoza- Horcones- Mendoza
Mule service for equipment to and from Base Camp.
Dining tent service at Confluencia Camp and Plaza de Mulas Base Camp.
Tents and stoves for the high altitude camps.
Professional guides fully certified to work in Aconcagua Provincial Park.
Full board during the climb
Welcome/goodbye dinner
Not included
All personal climbing equipment.
Any other service not mentioned in the list.
If the passenger leave the expedition, he is by his own.
Expenses incurred in the case of a rescue and medical assistance, and hospital.
Extra expenses cash.
Climbing permit. Acocnagua (U$D 330)
