Aconcagua by Guanacos Route & Traverse with Porters

Tour Description An adventurous exploration of Aconcagua 6,959m. We will make a complete traverse of the mountain and experience its entire character. Our route via the Guanacos valley is a wild and pristine alternative to the heavily traveled routes of the Horcones and Relinchos valleys. Only recently explored, this route promises you freedom from crowds, clean trails and camp areas, breath-taking views of the neighboring peaks and glaciers, and abundant wildlife. In addition, the Guanacos route also offers the most gradual approach and climb of Aconcagua, with gently moderate trekking between camps. We believe that an un-hurried acclimatization will offer a safer and more comfortable climb, and a rate of success not possible on other routes.

While this route offers a more gradual ascent of the mountain than other routes, it does not come with out any difficulty. Even with our “double carry” strategy between camps, which benefits us in many ways, participants still need to be able to carry a backpack weighing between 30 and 40 pounds (14-18 kgs.) Carrying these loads becomes harder as we move up the mountain, as we are able to utilize less and less O2 in the atmosphere. However, keep in mind that you will be getting more and more acclimatized as the days progress. These heavier packs will be carried between camps on our portages and moves, sometimes on steep loose terrain. The portages and moves, even with these loads, generally take between 3 and 4 hours to the next camp. Together with a slow steady pace set by your guide and proper use of the rest step it becomes quite attainable. Our schedule, while on the route, is actually quite relaxing. We allow ample time for sleeping and packing up in the morning. You will be eating very good meals and drinking lots of water/juice and hot drinks.

Please take a look at our training program. By following this program you can assure yourself that you will be arriving to S.A. ready for what is soon to become a truly memorable, enjoyable and successful experience, whether this is a one time thing or part of your quest for the 7 summits.

Service includes

• Professional Bilingual Mountain Guide .
• Ratio, Guide to Clients 1-3.
• All local organization and supervision by KL Adventure Staff.
• Private transportation included airport pick-up and drop-off.
• Mendoza airport assistance.
• Mendoza two Hotel nights double occupancy with breakfast at the 5 star Hyatt Park Plaza Hotel.
• Penitentes two Hotel nights double occupancy with half pension.
• All meals during the expedition. Including the before and after dinners in Mendoza.
• Full base camp set up dining tent, chair, tables, etc..
• High quality expedition common gear: The North Face, Mountain Hardware and Marmot tents, isolate mattress, high camp stoves & Gaz.
• Permanent access to hot drinks, tea, coffee, biscuits at base camp tent.
• Mules for individual gear to base camp and return with 25 kg.pp.
• First aid kit, hyperbaric chamber, oxygen bottles, oximeter, including O2 at our high camps.
• Radio communication VHF 2 & BLU HF.
• Satellite phone at base camp on a per minute payment basis.
• Porter for group gear for hike from C IV to Plza. De Mulas. (1 porter per 4 people)

Service does not include

• All personal climbing equipment gear.
• Aconcagua climbing permit fee.
• Porter for personal gear.
• Any cost involve in a early or late departure.
• Any drinks (soda, beer or wine) in Mendoza.
• Accident and rescue insurance .
• Cash for extra expenses.
• Any other service not mentioned in the list.
• Gratuities are not included.

Day by day Itinerary

Day 1 Picked up Plumerillos airport at Mendoza and transferred to Hotel to meet the guides, gear check and have a power point expedition presentation. Later we go have a great Argentinean asado. Hotel

Day 2 Transfer to Aconcagua Provincial Park permit office, to obtain the respective climbing permits, a mandatory personal procedure, and then head west to the village of Penitentes, situated at the foot of the valleys that access the mountain. Lodging at Hotel Penitentes.

Day 3 The Aconcagua Express vehicles transport us to the area called Punta de Vacas where we begin the first day’s trek towards the foot of Aconcagua through Vacas valley. This is a beautiful less traveled route with greener landscapes than the normal route. After 4 to 5 hours of hiking we reach our first camp called Pampa de Leña situated at an elevation of 2,800m. Here we eat a delicious barbecue along with the muleteers while the animals graze. Tent.

Day 4 Continuing along the same valley for 6 to 7 hours, we reach Casa de Piedra camp situated at an elevation of 3,200m. From camp up through the Relinchos pass we can clearly see the Polacos glacier on Aconcagua. This is not the route we will take the next day. Tent.

Day 5 Our trek continues along the easy going Vacas river valley towards the area known as Quebrada Vieja observing wild flowers, guanacos at the head of the valley, and small springs of water surrounded by green grass. On the right we can see the impressive glaciers on the Penitentes Range. It takes us about 7 to 8 hours from Casa Piedra to the Plaza Guanacos base camp situated at 3,600m (12,000 ft). Tent.

Day 6 Rest day at Plaza Guanacos base camp. This camp is, without a doubt, the most comfortable of all due to its 600m lower elevation than the traditional Plaza Mulas and Plaza Argentina camps. There is abundant water flowing in the river next to camp. The mountainous landscape is really different and unique!!! Tent.

Day 7 Without the help of the mules, we begin our first day of portage, carrying small personal and common gear to deposit it at what will be our high C I, situated at 4,200m (14,000 ft) in 3 to 4 hours. We return to base camp. It is crucial to take advantage of the comfort of our base camp and achieve a slow and safe acclimatization from the start. The advantage of this route, among others, is that the vertical meters between one camp and another are not so radical allowing for a natural and comfortable acclimatization process. Tent.

Day 8 Today we climb to high C I at 4,200m (14,000 ft) with the rest of our gear. This climb is the beginning of the ascent to the summit leaving base camp behind. All unnecessary equipment will be left here at Plaza Guanacos to be carried out on the mules, once we have made the crossing to high camp 4 situated at Piedras Blancas. Tent.

Day 9 With the same technique we used to reach C I, we will portage gear C II situated at 4,900m (16,000 ft) returning in the afternoon to C I. Tent.

Day 10 We continue on to C II at 4,900m (16,000 ft), with a new perspective of the surrounding mountains. The views are spectacular and the trail is far less frequented than the Plaza Mulas route!! Tent.

Day 11 As long as everyone is feeling well we portage gear to C III at 5,500m (18,000 ft) and return to sleep at C II. We like to take our rest day at C III.

Day 12 We then climb to camp C III 5,500m (18,000 ft) with the rest of our gear and sleep there with an incredible view of the Polacos glacier and other cool mountains come into our view here. Tent

Day 13 Rest and acclimatization day. (At this point we have been going 6 days non-stop days). Our bodies are in need of a rest day. This day has proven to make all members so much stronger higher up on the mountain.

Day 14 We make a relatively light portage/acclimatization hike to our high camp. A.K.A. Piedras Blancas, Colera, or C IV at 6000m (19,600 ft), and return to sleep at C III. Tent

Day 15 We climb from C III (5,500m) to Piedras Blancas at 6,000m (19,600 ft). From this high camp we can reach the summit in one day. Camp at Piedras Blancas. Tent

Days 16,17 & 18 From Piedras Blancas we are now ready to attempt the summit, at an elevation of 6,959m (22,834 ft), so we wait for the best climatic conditions for this purpose. After reaching the summit we return, tired, to Piedras Blancas. Tent.

Day 19 We come down from Piedras Blancas on the normal route to Plaza de Mulas at 4,200m where our Aconcagua Express Chef, Jorgelina Gonzalez, awaits us. This base camp has showers, satellite telephone, and an exquisite menu especially prepared for our expedition. Tent.

Day 20 From Plaza de Mulas we have mules to help carry out our gear, allowing for a “light” trek through Playa Ancha and Horcones Valley to the village of Penitentes in a 6 to 7 hour hike. At the Park Rangers station transport awaits us to take us to Mendoza. We meet later for our group dinner at a super, local restaurant with all the guides and assistants. And the next day transfer to the airport or continue relaxing on your own time (End of expedition). Hyatt Park Plaza Hotel.

Important

• All itineraries are subject to change due to changes in the weather, individual’s acclimatization rates and the guide’s preferences.

• Personal porter available upon request at additional cost.

• Any departure dates can be re-scheduled with a minimum of 4 persons.

  
  

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