Seven Summits
Aconcagua
Elevation: 6962 m | 22 841 ft
Co-ordinates: 32°39’20″S 70°00’57″W
Location: Argentina
Our next scheduled trips:
The journey to the top of Aconcagua, the second-highest of the Seven Summits, and the highest point in the Southern Hemisphere, is considered a technically easy climb from the north. The first recorded ascent of this Andes peak, the highest mountain outside Asia, was by Matthias Zurbriggen in 1897.
Itinerary
Day 1: Mendoza
We arrive in Mendoza and, after settling in at the hotel, we will meet the staff and do last-minute shopping.
Overnight: hotel
Day 2: Penitentes (2700 metres)
Travel to Penitentes by van. Organise the next day’s loads.
Overnight: hotel
Day 3: Confluencia (3500 metres)
We drive to Horcones Lake, then trek up to Confluencia and set up camp.
Overnight: tents
Day 4: San Valentin
Today is for acclimatisation. We will climb up to San Valentin (3800 metres).
Overnight: tents
Day 5: Plaza Francia (4200 metres)
We trek up to Plaza Argentina. This is at the base of Aconcagua’s south wall with fantastic views!
Trek: 5 hours
Overnight: tents
Day 6: Plaza de Mulas, Base Camp (4250 metres)
Today we trek into Plaza de Mulas, where we will set up our Base Camp. This is an important acclimatisation day.
Trek: 8–9 hours
Overnight: tents
Day 7: Rest day
Today is a chance to freshen up and get to know Base Camp.
Overnight: tents
Day 8: Acclimatisation day
We divide up expedition loads and do a carry up to Camp 1 and Camp 2.
Day 9: Rest day
We prepare to leave for Camp 1.
Day 10: Plaza Canada (4900 metres)
Today we move from Base Camp to Camp 1, Plaza Canada.
Overnight: tents
Day 11: Nido de Condores (5400 metres)
We ascend to Camp 2 and enjoy the spectacular views.
Trek: 5 hours
Overnight: tents
Day 12: Acclimatisation climb
We do an acclimatisation and equipment carry to Camp 3 at 6000 metres, and back again.
Day 13: Colera (6000 metres)
Today we climb up to Camp 3, on the North Ridge, and spend the night.
Overnight: tents
Day 14: Summit (6962 metres)
We leave at 5 am, meet the sunrise at Independencia Refuge (6500 metres), and continue to the summit to savour the feeling of attainment, and the incredible views.
Day 15 & 16: Spare days
Incase bad weather stops us from summitting on day 14, these are spare days, otherwise we descend to Base Camp, Plaza de Mulas.
Overnight: tents
Day 17: Plaza de Mulas
We return to Base Camp and scrub up for our celebration dinner.
Overnight: tents
Day 18: Mendoza
We descend to Penitentes from where we will be transported back to Mendoza City.
Overnight: hotel
Day 19: Airport
We set off for home with a great feeling and good friends!
