Tour Itinerary:
Day 1: Group meets in Mendoza, Argentina. Equipment check and afternoon briefing at the hotel. For dinner we will have a chance to taste fine Argentinean cuisine and wine.
Day 2: Drive West from Mendoza to Penitentes ski area at 8,500 . Our drive winds along the Rio Mendoza deep into the heart of the rugged Andes mountains where we begin our acclimatization in Penitentes. An afternoon hike is recommended, though optional.
Days 3 - 5: Approach to Plaza Guanacos Base Camp, mules carrying our gear. This approximately 35 mile approach is essential to our acclimatization. Our first two days we follow the same route as Aventuras Patagonicas old Traverse and Polish Glacier Expeditions. The third day begins our new approach. We continue up the Vacas Valley instead of ascending the Relinchos Valley. The chances of seeing other expeditions on this new exciting route is remote. The chance of seeing numerous wildlife is much more probable. Spectacular glaciers contrasting with a desert backdrop make this approach both surreal and unforgettable. We have an excellent chance of seeing herds of guanacos. When Rodrigo did an exploratory trip to the region he encountered several hundred, counting 80 in one sighting alone! These magnificent mammals are well camouflaged, extremely elusive and a rare sight in the Aconcagua region.
Day 6: Plaza Guanaco Base Camp at 13,000. Rest and acclimatization day at Base Camp. We want everyone to have the best possible chance to make the summit. The most effective way to do this is to take the time to acclimatize to the low oxygen environment. We will incorporate rest days into our schedule and climb in traditional expedition style. We will be carrying loads up to the next camp and returning to sleep below at the previous camp. The next day we will move to the higher camp.
Day 7: Carry a load to Camp I at approximately 15,200 . The route goes up the narrow valley between the North side of Cerro Ameghino and Cerro San Francisco. Here we will be able to see Nieve Penitentes, unique snow and ice formations created by the direct sun. Return to Base Camp.
Day 8: Leave Base Camp. Move to Camp I.
Day 9: Carry a load to Camp II at 16,500 , a pleasant well-protected area with tremendous views of Cerro Mercedario, Cerro Mano and other Andean giants. Return to Camp I.
Day 10: Move to Camp II.
Day 11: Carry a load to Camp III, below the Polish Glacier at 17,800.
Day 12: Move to Camp III. depending on how group is doing.
Day 13: Carry to High Camp, Piedras Blancas (White Rocks) at 19,200.
Day 14: Move to High Camp.
Day 15 - 17: Summit! Weather permitting. We allow several days for our Summit Day in case of poor weather.
Day 18: Descend the Normal Route to Plaza de Mulas Base Camp. This will be quite exciting since we will be descending a different side of the mountain.
Day 19: Hike out the Horcones Valley, with its impressive views of Aconcagua s South Face. Spend the night in Penitentes.
Day 20: Drive to Mendoza. Enjoy delicious team banquet! Next day fly home or continue traveling in South America.
* Dates Of Trips 2008-2009:
- Nov 29 - Dec 18 2008
- Dec 2 - 21, 2008
- Dec 6 - 25, 2008
- Dec 9 - 28, 2008
- Dec 16, 2008 - Jan 4, 2009
- Dec 20, 2008 - Jan 8, 2009
- Dec 27, 2008 - Jan 15,2009
- Jan 4 - 23, 2009
- Jan 10 - 29, 2009
- Jan 17 - Feb 5, 2009
- Jan 24 - Feb 12, 2009
- Jan 31 - Feb 19, 2009
- Feb 3 - 22, 2009.
Equipment List:
Feet
* Socks:
- 3 pair outer socks, thick wool or polypropylene
- 3 pair inner socks, thin silk or polypropylene
- 1 pair Vapor Barrier Liner (VBL) socks, (optional)
- 2 pair cotton socks (for approach)
* Plastic or leather Double mountaineering boots (ask us about new leather double boots models such as La Sportiva Nuptse, the Vasque Ice 9000 or the Salomon Pro Thermic)
* Lightweight hiking boots or sturdy tennis shoes
* Booties, down or polarguard
Gaitors
* Neoprene booties with sole, for river crossings. Lightweight ok, sandals or old pair of tennis are also ok.
Upper Body:
* Lightweight polypropylene or capilene turtleneck - 2
Expedition weight polypropylene or capilene shirt - 1
Fleece jacket
* Breathable windproof outer jacket, such as goretex, with hood
* Heavy weight down or Polarguard Expedition Parka with heavyweight expedition hood (-20 F)
* Cotton T-shirts 2
Lower Body:
* Polypropylene or nylon briefs or underpants - 3 pair (optional)
* Lightweight polypropylene or capilene long underwear bottoms - 1 pair
* Expedition weight polypropylene or capilene long underwear bottoms- 1 pair
* Fleece pants (full length side zippers recommended)
* Breathable windproof pants or bibs such as Goretex (full length sidezippers recommended)
* Shorts - 1 pair
* Lightweight cotton pants (hike in, base camp - optional)
Hands:
* Mittens, thick fleece, down or thick wool - 1 pair
* Gloves, polypropylene or capilene - 1 pair
* Insulated finger gloves - 1 pair
* Goretex wind shells for mittens- 1 pair
Head:
* Ski hat, wool or fleece
* Balaclava, wool, polypropylene or capilene - to cover neck, chin & face
* Baseball cap
Sleeping Gear:
* Down or polarguard sleeping bag comfortable to -20F
* 1 foam pad or 1 thermarest pad (full length recommended)
Pack:
* Pack with 5,500 - 6000 cubic inches capacity
* Large day pack for approach
* Extra Large strong duffel bag (at least 7000 cubic inches) w/strong zipper and a lock, large enough for pack to fit in, for mules to carry and for storeage of gear.
* Extra large stuff sack for gear storage in camp
Technical Equipment:
* Ice axe 70 cm. approx. Standing with your arm relaxed at your side, the ice axe should reach from the palm of your hand to the ground. For Polish Glacier Route it can be 5-10 cm shorter.
* Crampons, 12 points non-rigid recommended. For Polish Glacier Route; rigid are fine.
* Ski poles - adjustable preferred
Polish Glaciar Route Only:
* Climbing harness, to fit comfortably over bulky clothing.
* Carabiners, 6 regular, 2 locking
* 1 Ascender
* 30 feet of 6mm perlon rope
* Climbing helmet
Personals:
* Head lamp and extra batteries
* Sun glasses two pair (one as a spare)
* Ski goggles
* Sun screen lotion SPF 29 - 1 large or 2 small tubes
* Sun screen lip protection 1 stick
* Skin moisturizer 3 oz.
* Mole skin, bandaids, tape, throat lozenges
* Pocket knife
* Plastic bowl, large cup (insulated), spoon
* 2 water bottles -1 quart capacity wide mouth (nalgene recommended) w/ water bottle insulator
* Toothbrush and toothpaste
* Toilet paper - 1 or 2 rolls
* Antibiotics 1 cycle broad spectrum
* Aspirin or Ibuprofen - 30
* Disposable lighter
* Stuff sacks 2-3, assorted sizes (one extra large to store contents of pack on summit day)
* Iodine pills - 2 new small bottles (for water purification)
* $100 US dollars in small bills ($1 s, $5 s, & $10 s) for meals, drinks, etc. in Penitentes
Optionals:
* Take most of these items to Base Camp only.
* Camera and film
* Journal, pen/pencil, book, games, walkman
* 1 Thermos 1 quart capacity (useful up high)
* Small towel and soap, baby wipes, foot powder
* Swimsuit
* Teva sandals
* Cotton bandana
* Portable water filtration system
* earplugs (for windy nights)
* Pee bottle 1 qt. capacity, wide mouth, nalgene bottle (useful at higher camps)
* 2 lbs. of your favorite lunch treat or energy bar (we provide full lunches)
* 1 oz. of your favorite spice
* Hydrating system, (for approach and lower mountain only) 2 quart capacity, (i.e. camel bags) Do not count on this as a replacement for water bottles, since they do freeze up high
* disposable hand warmers (for summit day).
Notes:
Airfare is not included in the tour price.
Price Includes:
- Professional Mountain Guides.
- Guide to Client Ratio.
- Hotels.
- Transportation.
- Mules.
- All Expedition food.
- Community Gear.
- Medical Doctor.
- Helicopter rescue Contract.
- Family Update.
- Exclusive Route.
Price Excludes:
- Round Ttrip airfare between Mendoza and your origination point.
- Meals in Mendoza (all breakfasts and dinners in Penitentes are included).
- Personal equipment (We have a limited amount of gear available for rent, such as, sleeping bags, parkas, boots, ice axes, and packs.)
- Rescue expenses, or extra expenses for early departure from the expedition, such as unscheduled mules, etc.
- Climbing permit. You will pay for your climbing permit, in Mendoza, accompanied by your guide. This is a very easy process.
Also see tour packages in:
South America
Argentina
Mountain/Rock Climbing
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