Climb Aconcagua
Itinerary

Day One: Depart U.S! Travel to Mendoza, Argentina typically takes 18 – 27 hours from the U.S. depending on your departure city, available connections, and flight times.

Day Two: Upon arrival in Mendoza, we are picked up at the airport and transferred to our hotel. After checking into your room, you can explore the city and the many beautiful parks, or just relax by the pool. We have a team meeting scheduled for 5:00 pm in the hotel lobby. Overnight in Mendoza.

Day Three: We depart from the hotel and head to the permit office to secure the climbing permits for our expedition. With our climbing permits secured, we depart Mendoza head west towards Aconcagua. Gradually driving out of the fertile wine country and into the mountains, we arrive at Los Penitentes (9,000’). Los Penitentes is the center of activity for climbers heading up the mountain, and it is here that we finalize our preparations for the expedition. Overnight in Los Penitentes. (B, D)

Day Four: We begin the approach to our Basecamp at Plaza Argentina. The gradient is initially very mild as we begin our hike on a trail alongside the Vacas River. Temperatures during the day are usually hot as we make this high desert approach, but are often pleasantly warm in the evenings. On the trek, team members carry 20 to 25 pounds in their packs, and remaining personal and group gear is carried by the mules. Our first camp is Las Leñas (9,000’). (B, D)

Day Five: We continue hiking towards Basecamp via the Vacas Valley. After a long day on the trail, we are rewarded with an impressive view of the Western Face of Aconcagua, just before we make it to our second night’s camp at Casa de Piedra (10,550’). (B, D)

Day Six: We complete the approach to Basecamp by following the Relinchos Valley to Plaza Argentina. Base Camp (13,800) is on a glacial moraine overlooking the river valleys of our approach. Here we bid farewell to our mules and establish camp. (B, D)

Day Seven: Packing and organizing our gear is the mission for the day, combined with time for relaxing and acclimatizing. (B, D)
 
Day Eight: Our trek ends and the climb begins with our first carry of the trip. We carry supplies and equipment to Camp 1 at 16,200 feet. After caching our gear, we will descend to Basecamp for overnight. (B, D)

Day Nine: Move to Camp 1. We break camp and climb back to Camp 1 with our remaining gear and establish our second camp. (B, D)

Day Ten: Carry to Camp 2 (Ameghino Col at 17,700’). Today we get our first view to the north across the expansive scree fields heading towards the Guanacos Valley, and the distant, snow covered peaks of the central Andes range now lay at our feet. (B, D)

Day Eleven: Rest and acclimatization at Camp 1. (B, D)

Day Twelve: Move to Camp 2 (17,700’). (B, D)

Day Thirteen: Carry to Camp 3 (19,200’). The route to Camp 3 follows a steepening path to the high, broad bench just below the imposing Polish Glacier of Aconcagua. (B, D)

Day Fourteen: Move to Camp 3. (B, D)

Day Fifteen: Rest and acclimatization at Camp 3. (B, D)

Day Sixteen: Move to Camp 4 (High Camp at 20,500’) (B, D)

Day Seventeen: Summit Day on Aconcagua! We make an early start for the summit, joining the Ruta Normal. A gradual traverse along the mountain’s northwest flank takes us past the Refugio Independencia and to the base of the Canaleta, a 1,000’ long couloir leading to the summit ridge. From the top of the Canaleta, it is a straight forward traverse to the summit. After our summit celebration and photos, we begin our descent, returning to High Camp for the night. (B, D)

Day Eighteen: Weather Day

Day Nineteen: Weather Day

Day Twenty: We continue our descent from High Camp and return to Plaza Argentina Basecamp. (B, D)

Day Twenty-one: After we pack up Basecamp and prepare our loads for the mules, we begin our trek out. We descend down the Relinchos Valley and the Vacas valley to Las Leñas. We celebrate our last night on the mountain with a traditional BBQ. (B, D)

Day Twenty-two: We finish the trek, reaching Los Penitentes early in the afternoon. After packing our gear, we leave Los Penitentes and drive back to Mendoza. Our final evening in this beautiful city is the perfect place for our team celebration. Overnight in Mendoza. (B)

Day Twenty-three: Depart Mendoza for scheduled flights back to the U.S.

Day Twenty-four: Arrive home.