Comfortable ascent to Aconcagua (6962 m)

Arrival of participants in Mendoza. The resort town is located in the La Rioja Valley. The settlement is one of the largest centers in Argentina for the production of wine and olive oil. Endless vineyards and colonial architecture attract tourists from all over the world. We rent the missing equipment and repack our things.
Evening in one of the famous steak houses in Mendoza. Getting to know each other.

In the morning we apply for permits – permission at the central office of the Ministry of Tourism. We buy the necessary products. We prepare our bags for the move to the mountains.
Moving to Los Penitentes, the road takes about three hours (180 km). The intermediate point (2700 m) is important for acclimatization. Near the village there is an ancient stone bridge, according to legend, this bridge was built by the Incas when they were developing the Andes. In Penitentes we immediately give some of our things to the mules for transportation, since they leave with things to the Plaza De Mulas camp very early.
Rest before the hike. Overnight stay in a hostel/apartments.

Departure to the National Park. Equipment is carried to the base camp by mules. We will make the first track to Confluence (3400 m). There is a shower and electricity, no mobile communication, but vouchers for Internet connection are sold.
Overnight in tents. Travel time 2.5-3 hours, 9 km. Altitude gain is 500 m.

In the morning we plan to fly by helicopter straight to the base camp at an altitude of 4300 m – Plaza De Mulas. Upon arrival, rest. We will walk to the Orcones glacier.

Rest. Preparing backpacks with equipment for the ascent. Exit to the upper camps is permitted after medical examination by a doctor. Therefore, we must undergo medical examination with a note of permission.

Rest. Preparing backpacks with equipment for the ascent. Exit to the upper camps is permitted after medical examination by a doctor. Therefore, we must undergo medical examination with a note of permission.

After breakfast, climb to the assault camp (6000 m). We will stay at the altitude for a while and then go back to Canada. Here we will need warm clothes, because it is much colder and the wind is stronger higher up.
Return to the base camp. Travel time is 7-8 hours, 12 km. The difference in altitude is 1900 meters.

Free time. We rest on our own, take photos for memory, communicate with people from different countries. We try to get enough sleep.

Around 11-12:00 we go to Nido de Condores (5500 m). The transition to this camp is quite long and tiring as it goes along a scree trail, so we recommend taking a porter for a group or 2-3 people on this section, who will bring in a tent, food and some personal belongings.
In the “comfort” package, a porter is already included in the cost of the program. Overnight in tents. Transition 6 km. Altitude gain 1300 m.

Today is a short walking day, so it is better to slowly make the trek to Kolera, 5950 m. This camp is located a little lower than Kolera, but it is cleaner, there are fewer people here and this place is more protected from the wind. In addition, we know an alternative path that goes a short way to the summit. It is from this point that the real ascent to the summit begins.
Preparation for the important day tomorrow. Early lights out. There is no water in the camp, so most likely we will have to melt snow.

Early night rise and departure. Usually we leave at 3:30 -4 am to go ahead of the main crowds of tourists and not throw stones at each other. Dawn will meet us on the road, somewhere at an altitude of 6400-6500.
Assault consists of several parts:
– transition along a rocky easy path to Puenta Inca (6400 m);
– Smooth climb, but difficult by a difficult road.
We go in crampons to the Grotto (6650 m);
– The final section of Canaleta with a steep path and areas with ice and snow. You may need crampons.
Ascent of Aconcagua takes on average 8-10 hours. Control time of ascent is 14-15 hours. If you do not have time to climb by this time, the guide has the right to turn you back at any point on the route.
We are at the top. We are carried away by the landscape, a little time for photos, we are happy with a small victory. We remember what it looks like to make a dream come true. We descend along the ascent route to the Berlin camp, on average the descent takes 3-4 hours.
Overnight in tents. The transition is 12-14 hours, 14 km, the difference is 1900 m.

In case of bad weather, additional acclimatization.

In the morning we fly to the exit of the National Park. Then we have a transfer to Mendoza, about 3 hours transfer to Mendoza. Finally, a night in a hotel on a soft bed.

Flight home. We recommend leaving Mendoza in the afternoon.