Aconcagua (22,829ft/6,962m) Argentina.

Aconcagua, located in western Argentina, near the Chile border is the highest peak in the world outside the Himalayas, and the highest of the seven continental summits after Mt Everest. The "stone sentinel" rises approximately 4,000ft above its neighboring peaks and truly dominates the rugged Andean landscape.

The Horcones Valley or Normal Route is technically easy, following the Northwest Ridge. It is the altitude and weather that pose the greatest problems. The approach is from the south, 35km/22 miles over a rough river valley to base camp at Plaza de Mules. From here the route swings around to the east, over steep ground, eventually turning south to the summit. There are no permanent snow fields on this route, but crampons and ice axe may still be required in some sections.

Aconcagua is a serious mountain. The weather and the high altitude will make this one of the harder mountaineering experiences. We will be working as a team to put up tents, collect and boil snow and ice and cook. We will have porters carry a load to each camp but your backpacks will be heavy. You need to be fit, have experience with altitude and wilderness camping.

Cost

The Aconcagua Xpedition departs June 29.
$2,750 if deposit paid by March 1, 2008.
$3,000 after March 1, 2008.

The price includes:

• Colorado Training Hikes. Click here for more information or contact us
• All transportation in Argentina unless leaving expedition early.
• 2 nights accommodation in Mendoza City, breakfast included. 3 star hotel. Double occupancy. Single occupancy rates available on request. Breakfast included.
• 1 night accommodation in Penitentes, breakfast included.
• Mules to carry the equipment (30kg/75lbs per person), in-out Plaza de Mules.
• Fully equipped dining-room and kitchen and WC tents in base camp.
• Luggage store-room.
• Gamow Bag, Oxygen for emergencies and radio at BC.
• Cook. All meals included at Base Camp.
• Porters that will carry one load to each of our three on-mountain camps.
• All Aconcagua Provincial Park fees.
• Aconcagua Climbing Permit.

The price does NOT include:

• All round trip flights to Mendoza International Airport.
• Lunches, dinners and snacks in Mendoza.
• Alcohol, additional beverages.
• On-mountain meals or snacks.
• Flight change fees if you leave the expedition early or if we summit early.

Aconcagua Itinerary

December 3 Depart US.

December 4 Arrive Santiago. Fly on to Mendoza. Met at airport by Inka Expeditions representative. Transfer to 3 star hotel. Lunch and dinner in Mendoza.

December 5 Rest day and gear check and day in Mendoza. Breakfast at hotel. Lunch and dinner in Mendoza. Organize duffles.

December 6 Land transport from Mendoza to Penitentes Mountain Inn. 3 hours/175kms. 2 star hotel. Here we organize mule loads, and spend the night. From here the mules go directly to Plaza de Mulas and we don't see them until we arrive in Plaza de Mulas base camp. We will carry a day pack and our sleeping bags.

December 7 15 min drive from Penitentes Mountain Inn to Puente de Inca. Permits checked at the Ranger station. 3 hour trek up to Confluencia. Overnight intents (provided).

December 8 Acclimatization day and optional trek to Plaza Francia. We’ll trek for about 5 hours until we arrive to Plaza Francia, base camp of the impressive Aconcagua south wall. From this place Aconcagua, the Stone Sentinel, appears more magnificent and intimidating than ever. We can see the entire South face. This is one of the most beautifu points of the expedition with a breathtaking first view of Aconcagua that we will never forget. Return to Confluencia and over night.

December 9Confluencia to Plaza de Mulas Base Camp. Trek to Plaza de Mulas is the base camp for the expedition. Early in the morning we will start our walk across "Playa Ancha" (meaning wide beach). It is a deserted and always windy valley. We slowly gain altitude up the Horcones Superior Valley. By the end of our day's hike, (8-9 hours - 14 miles) walk up "Cuesta Brava" (meaning rugged slope) a very steep path we reach Plaza de Mulas our Base Camp. This day is important to our acclimatization. Basecamp facilities set up. We set up our own tents and get our duffles.

December 10 The first day in Base Camp is always a rest day and a good occasion to take a shower and explore the local terrain.

December 11 Rest and acclimatization and load carrying to Plaza Canada. Decsend to basecamp.

December 12 Move from base camp to Plaza Canada.

December 13 Rest day Plaza Canada.

December 14 Load carry to Camp 2 - Nido de Condores. Back to Plaza Canada.

December 15 Move to Camp 2. Camp II, called "Nido de Condores" (meaning Condor nest), is located in a high pass at 17,720ft. and provides spectacular views of the surrounding mountains.

December 16 Rest camp 2, Nido de Condores.

December 17 Ascent from Camp 2 to Camp 3 - Berlin, 19,690ft Move to high camp, Camp Ill called "Berlín" or Huts area, located on the North Ridge, offers breathtaking scenes of many of the highest peaks of the Andes.

December 18 Summit day begins at 5:00 am. It is the most demanding and serious day of the expedition. We climb the North Ridge to Independencia Refuge. The next section is called "El Portezuelo del Viento" (meaning the Door of the Wind), where often there is a strong breeze even on calm days. From there, we will traverse the West Face and climb up into "La Canaleta", a 1000ft couloir which leads to the summit ridge. After the Canaleta, the Guanaco Ridge poses an easy traverse to the summit. This last section normally takes up to 1 hour. From the Guanaco Ridge you will be able to look directly down the 10,000ft South Face of Aconcagua, face of rock, snow, and ice considered one of the greatest in the world!! Return to camp 3.

December 19 Alternative summit day.

December 20 Alternative summit day.

December 21 Descend from C3 to Base camp. Overnight at Basecamp.

December 22 Return hike from base camp to Puente de Inca. Transfer to Penitentes. A van will be waiting for us to drive us to Mendoza, and we’ll have a celebration dinner. Hotel.

December 23 Mendoza Airport. Depart for US.

December 24 Arrive US.