ROOF OF THE AMERICA AND ONE OF THE SEVEN SUMMITS
Aconcagua is the highest mountain in the Andes and the highest in the American continent. Aconcagua is one of the «7 summits of the world» and is therefore a very desirable goal for mountaineers from all countries of the world.
The origin of the name Aconcagua derives from the Aymara, Kon-Kawa (Snowy Mountain).
The Araucanians, in Chile, gave it the same name as the river they called Aconca-Hue (in native language it means «coming from the other side»).
Other historical texts determine that Aconcagua means «Stone Sentinel» and comes from the Quechua language: Akon-Kahuak.
Mount Aconcagua is located between 69º 56′ west longitude and 32º 48′ south latitude. Aconcagua is located entirely in the territory of the province of Mendoza, Argentina, near the border with Chile. Aconcagua belongs to the Aconcagua Provincial Park, in the area called Andes Secos.
Aconcagua is a great massif that has two summits: the north and the south, the most visited is the north summit, the south summit is totally technical and dangerous.
Called the «Roof of America», this mountain is surrounded by canyons: in the north and southeast by the Quebrada Horcones Superior, to the south, the Quebrada Horcones Inferior, to the northeast the Quebrada de Vacas.
Mendoza, Argentina (Google Map)
11:00 am (pick up at your hotel)
Participants must be in excellent physical condition to join this climb. Andean Raju Expeditions recommends previous and constant preparation as a crucial factor to take on this challenge, then, the physical stress caused by the days of climbing will be minimized.
We strongly advise all participants to have an adequate training plan in gyms, outdoor sports, climbing peaks, bearing weight and long day hikes.
If you would like our advice, we can provide you a training plan after evaluation of your experience in hiking and sporting activity.
Participants should have experience in altitude the last week prior to the start the Aconcagua climbing, which ensures adequate acclimatization and conditioning of the body to the altitude.
Our expedition starts in Mendoza, we will pick you up at your hotel with private transportation. After picking you up we will drive west for 3 hours until we reach Penitentes, here we will stay at the refuge at 3,194 masl.
Lodging: Refuge.
Meals: dinner
Transfer by car: 3 hours
Elevation: +2,448 m (746 masl to 3,194 masl)
This day we will leave the refuge in Penitentes at 10 am, the bus transport will take us to the entrance of the Aconcagua National Park Control, at this point we will hand in the permits. We will continue hiking for 4 to 5 hours until we reach the Confluencia camp, here we will rest, eat and walk around the camp.
Lodging: Mountain tents 4 seasons.
Meals: Breakfast, box lunch and dinner
Estimated hiking time: 4 to 5 hours.
Elevation: +206 m (3,194 masl to 3,400masl)
This day we will leave the Confluencia camp at 7 am, we will hike to Plaza de Mulas for 6 to 8 hours, it will be a long and strenuous day. At the Plaza de Mulas camp we will present the permits to the Aconcagua Provincial Park control.
Lodging: Mountain tents 4 seasons.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner.
Estimated hiking time: 6 to 8 hours.
Elevation: +900 m (3,4000 masl to 4,300 masl)
This day we will rest, have lunch and we can walk around the camp. Also, you can take advantage of the rest and so you will go to the medical control that allows you to continue climbing the mountain, this medical test is mandatory for all mountaineers and authorizes you to continue on the mountain.
Lodging: Mountain tents.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner.
We will continue our acclimatization process above 5,000 meters and our first objective will be Bonete Peak. It is an easy and short hike. This peak is an excellent viewpoint of the Aconcagua massif.
Meals: Breakfast, box lunch and dinner.
Estimated hiking time: 5 hours up and 3 hours down.
Elevation: +750 m (4,300 masl to 5,050 masl)
This day we will take food and equipment to high camp II at Nido de Cóndores. We will leave a deposit and descend to Plaza de Mulas to rest and recharge our energy.
Meals: Breakfast, box lunch and dinner.
Estimated hiking time: 6 hours up and 2 hours down.
Elevation: +1,250 m (4,300 masl to 5,550 masl)
This day we will start climbing the mountain towards the summit, we will hike to our first high altitude camp: Nido de Condores. After 6 hours of hiking, we will reach the campsite, take some time to rest, eat and prepare for the next day.
Meals: Breakfast, box lunch and dinner.
Estimated hiking time: 6 hours.
Elevation: +1,250 m (4,300 masl to 5,550 masl)
We will climb to our last altitude camp and from Colera we will start the ascent to the summit. Sleeping at 6,000 meters will be important to adapt to the altitude.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner.
Estimated hiking time: 2 hours.
Elevation: +450 m (5,550 masl to 6,000 masl)
The most desired and demanding day of the expedition has come. We will climb the North Ridge up to the Independencia Refuge at 6,500 m. We will continue climbing through the Portezuelo del Viento, then we will take the path that climbs up La Canaleta and the Filo del Guanaco that leads us to the summit. The reward awaits us: a summit with a 360° view that dominates the entire horizon, the experience of overcoming is wonderful. We will take some time to rest, take pictures, hydrate or eat to get some energy. Finally we will descend to Colera High Camp.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner.
Estimated climbing time: 8 hours up and 3 hours down.
Elevation: +962 m, -962m (5,550 masl to 6,000 masl and return)
After breakfast in the morning, we will disarm the camp, then we will begin the downhill to Plaza de Mulas.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner.
Estimated climbing time: 3 hours down.
Elevation: +962 m, -962m (6,000 masl to 4,300 masl)
Last day in Aconcagua Provincial Park. A long hike will be waiting for us until we will arrive at the entrance and control point of the park, where the transport will be waiting for us to return to Penitentes. After picking up our luggage we will travel from Penitentes to Mendoza.
Meals: Breakfast.
Estimated climbing time: 7 hours down.
Transfer by car: 3 hours
Elevation: -3,554 m (4,300 masl to 746 masl)
We have an extra day reserved in our itinerary to attempt to summit in case of bad conditions on the mountain.
