Aconcagua Normal Route with porters (trip)

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Aconcagua Normal Route with porters

  • Mendoza Airport, Argentina
  • Active & Adventure
Argentina, Chile, South America

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Period offered: December. The provider (view their profile) can provide you with specific departure dates, final prices, and other information.


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from $3,800* per person18 DaysDecember
Comfort accommodations Exertion level: 3
Operator: Aventuras Patagonicas 12 people max
Our newest expedition, via the Normal Route, with Porters, is a variation of our original Aventuras Patagonicas expedition offered over a decade ago. Although our Guanacos Valley Route, to date, remains the most pristine route on the mountain, we have received many requests for a shorter route on Aconcagua, with the option of porter assist. To satisfy these requests we have designed a new alternative of ascending the Normal Route of Aconcagua, (mules carrry loads to Base Camp, as usual), and porters carry loads from Base Camp to High Camp, as needed.

Over the past few seasons we have purposely chosen not to guide the Normal Route for aesthetic reasons, due to the route's overuse, causing the route in general to be unappealing. We began exploring other options on the mountain, to offer fresh alternatives and challenges to our clients, resulting in our Guanacos Valley and Traverse Route which has been extremely successful and well received. But due to popular demand, we have re-introduced the Normal Route with a new twist, for those of you who find the Guanacos not what you are looking for. If you are not bothered by the overcrowding of the Normal Route, seeing many other climbers while climbing, enjoy the social aspect of Base Camp (meeting climbers of all nationalities!), and feel regular loads (45 to 50 lbs) are too heavy for you, then our Normal Route with porters expedition is just the one for you! We have designed this trip so that at Base Camp you are able to decide how often you will need a porter, and so on. You may use a porter for every carry, you may choose to alternate between days, or simply to experiment as you go.

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Locations visited/nearby

Argentina, Chile, South America

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Itinerary

 Day 01

Group meets in Mendoza, Argentina. Equipment check and afternoon briefing will be at the hotel. For dinner we will have a chance to taste fine Argentinean cuisine and wine.

 Day 02

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.

 Day 03

We will begin our approach to Base Camp. This 25 mile approach gives us the chance to begin our acclimatization. We follow the Horcones Valley, and camp our first night in Confluencia, at 10,900’. Mules carry our gear.

 Day 04

Hike to the base of the majestic South Face of Aconcagua, at 13,000', toward Plaza Francia. Return to Confluencia to spend our 2nd night, before heading to Base Camp the next day. This hike will facilitate our acclimatization process.

 Day 05

After 3 days of hiking through colorful desert landscape we reach our Base Camp, Plaza de Mulas, at 13,800'.

 Day 06

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 our next camp, and returning to sleep below at the previous camp. The next day we will move to the higher camp.This day (Day 6) we will practice snow and ice techniques on the Nieve Penitentes, unique snow and ice formations created by direct sunlight.

 Day 07

Carry a load to Camp I, Plaza Canada, at 16,170 . Return to Base Camp.

 Day 08

Leave Base Camp. Move to Camp I. Beautiful campsite with impressive views of the north side of Aconcagua and alpine Cerro Cuerno.

 Day 09

Carry a load to Camp II, Nido de Condores, at 17,820'.

 Day 10

Leave Camp I. Move to Camp II.

 Day 11

Carry a load to Camp III, Piedras Blancas (High Camp) at 19,200'.

 Day 12

Move to Camp III. This unique spot will be our High Camp where we will spend at least 2 nights. Here we are surrounded by interesting rock formations only a day from the summit.

 Day 13 - 15

Summit! Weather permitting. We allow a window for our Summit Day in case of poor weather and depending on how group is acclimatizing.

 Day 16

Descent from High Camp to Base Camp.

 Day 17

Hike out the Horcones Valley with its impressive views of Aconcagua s South Face. Spend the night in Penitentes.

Next Day

Drive to Mendoza. Enjoy delicious banquet with your team. Spend night in Mendoza. Next Day fly home or continue traveling in South America.


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