Aconcagua Blitz — 7-Day Climb

The Blitz uses the classic route through the Horcones valley, Confluencia, Plaza de Mulas, Nido de Cóndores and Cólera. In seven days the group covers the altitudes from the park entrance to 6962 m and returns to Mendoza. That schedule is only possible as the continuation of another high-altitude trip or expedition, without a long pause at low elevation in between.

Before confirming a place, Mountain Guide reviews your maximum altitude reached, the number of nights spent above 4500–5000 m and the interval between that acclimatisation and the start. Strong general fitness without altitude adaptation does not make this format acceptable.

One reserve day exists for limited adjustment of the schedule, not to build acclimatisation from scratch. At every camp the guide assesses each participant and can stop any further gain in altitude.

The Blitz begins before you land in Mendoza

The real preparation for a seven-day trip happens on the previous mountain. It is not enough to have touched a mark above 5500 m: you need to have spent enough time at altitude, recovered properly and travelled on to Aconcagua without losing that adaptation. Two identical entries reading “reached 5600 m” can therefore mean completely different levels of readiness — what counts is the sleeping altitudes, the length of the outing, the symptoms, the pace and the interval before the start.

Routes in Bolivia, Ecuador, on Ojos del Salado or at comparable altitude can all be useful if they finish close to the start of this trip. Each combination is assessed individually. We do not promise acceptance on the strength of a summit name alone.

Why there is no day to “settle in”

After the park entrance the schedule leads straight through Confluencia and Plaza de Mulas to Nido de Cóndores and Cólera. These stages continue an acclimatisation that already exists; they do not create it. The single reserve day is there for limited adjustment because of weather or route conditions, and it cannot substitute for a full high-altitude rotation.

The main risks of choosing a format that is too short

• Overestimating how much acclimatisation survives flights and rest days at low altitude;
• Carrying fatigue over from the previous climb without enough time to recover;
• Confusing good athletic form with tolerance of hypoxia;
• Booking a return flight so tightly that the decision to turn back becomes psychologically harder;
• Leaving boots, crampons and warm clothing unchecked until the day of departure.

What to send us for assessment

We need the name and dates of your previous route, your maximum altitude, your sleeping altitudes, the number of days spent above 4000 m and above 5000 m, notes on any symptoms, how you descended and how you will travel to Mendoza. If the members of a closed group are acclimatised to different degrees, the decision is taken separately for each person.

Departure availability for every Aconcagua format is published in the Mountain Guide calendar.

Day 1. Mendoza — Laguna Horcones — Confluencia, 3300 m.

After arrival the Aconcagua permit is issued, then the group transfers to the national park entrance and walks in to Confluencia. The walk takes 2–3 hours. This day does not create acclimatisation from scratch; it continues the altitude adaptation gained before the flight to Mendoza.

Day 2. Confluencia — Plaza de Mulas, 4350 m.

A long day through the wide Playa Ancha valley, usually 8–9 hours. The group moves straight up to the main base camp, so pace and condition are watched particularly closely.

Day 3. Plaza de Mulas — Nido de Cóndores, 5600 m.

A fast move onto the high section of the route. This rate of gain is only possible with confirmed fresh acclimatisation. At Nido de Cóndores the group sets up camp and prepares for the next stage.

Day 4. Nido de Cóndores — Cólera, 6000 m.

The move to the top camp, then rest and preparation for an early start. Equipment, water, clothing and each participant’s condition are checked before nightfall.

Day 5. Summit attempt on Aconcagua, 6962 m.

An early start from Cólera, the summit attempt and the descent back to the top camp. Whether we continue depends on the weather, route conditions, pace and how the team is coping. The Blitz format does not lower the safety requirements and does not guarantee the summit.

Day 6. Reserve day.

The only weather and operational window in the itinerary. It is used at the guides’ discretion and does not replace preparatory acclimatisation.

Day 7. Cólera — Plaza de Mulas — Laguna Horcones — Mendoza.

Descent to base camp, exit from the national park and transfer to Mendoza. After a high-altitude cycle the priority is to lose altitude safely and close the route. Rest and farewell dinner.

• English-speaking guide throughout the trip
• Mountain guides — one guide for every 3 climbers on summit day
• All transfers listed in the itinerary
• All accommodation listed in the itinerary
• Assistance with obtaining the necessary permits
• Meals as set out in the itinerary; in the towns, breakfast only
• Mules for equipment and food from Puente del Inca (Los Puquios) to Plaza de Mulas and back; personal baggage up to 20 kg
• Base camp at Plaza de Mulas (2 nights)
• Food and fuel for the high camps
• Group first-aid kit

• International flights
• Climbing permit, charged separately at the park rate in force at the time of the climb; the amount depends on nationality, route category and season
• Porters
• Personal equipment
• Additional costs arising from any departure from the itinerary
• Medical insurance covering the stated activity and the maximum altitude of the trip
• Personal expenses such as drinks, internet and phone calls, including base-camp services that are paid locally at the rates current on the mountain

The Blitz can be arranged for a closed group only once recent acclimatisation has been confirmed for every participant. Private dates are chosen to keep the gap between your previous time at altitude and the start on Aconcagua as short as possible.

The seven-day route is not shortened. Where participants are at different levels, we recommend separate guides or a longer trip.

• A valid passport
• Medical insurance covering the stated activity and the maximum altitude of the trip
• An Aconcagua National Park permit, issued and paid for before you enter the route
• Depending on your nationality, a visa may be required
• We recommend keeping digital copies of your documents on your phone and in cloud storage

Entry requirements for Argentina and for the route are checked before the trip, against your nationality and the rules in force.

The Blitz is only scheduled within the official Aconcagua summer season. A single reserve day gives a minimal margin for wind, snow and changes in the state of the route.

If the forecast is poor, the compulsory stages cannot be shortened and you cannot set out against the guide’s decision. If there is no weather window, the summit is called off.

The seasonal detail is gathered in our article on the weather on Aconcagua.

The mountain section uses the Confluencia, Plaza de Mulas, Nido de Cóndores and Cólera camps. The published package covers accommodation and meals as set out in the itinerary, two nights at base camp, and food and fuel for the upper camps.

Only breakfasts are included in the towns. The exact town nights and accommodation are fixed in your booking confirmation, taking account of your arrival and departure times.

Tell us about dietary restrictions before we quote.

Almost the whole trip is spent in mountain camps. After a short approach the group moves quickly above Plaza de Mulas, where there is very little in the way of comfort.

The high camps have no guaranteed shower, electricity, internet or mobile signal. Charge every device before the start; you need a power bank, spare batteries and your own toiletries.

• Passport
• Air tickets
• Medical insurance
• Rucksack. 50-60 litres
• Sleeping bag with a comfort rating of -15 to -25 °C
• Sleeping mat
• Trekking poles
• Crampons; aluminium is acceptable
• Ice axe. Classic, on a leash. A lightweight axe, or one combined with a ski pole, is acceptable
• Helmet
• Mug, spoon and bowl
• Triple or double mountaineering boots. Doubles are either plastic or leather. In plastic we recommend the Scarpa Vega, probably the warmest of all the double boots
• Trainers or trekking boots. Ideally both. Trainers for the trek to base camp, and light boots for the acclimatisation day and for base camp. Trainers alone will do, though
• Waterproof shell: jacket and trousers. The market runs from simple 5000/5000 membranes through to Gore-Tex garments
• Fleece top and bottoms
• Base layer, top and bottoms
• Down jacket. Thick and warm
• Warm mittens
• Thick gloves
• Thin gloves
• Bandana (as well as sun protection in the valley, it can keep your throat or face warm in the cold)
• Warm hat
• Warm trekking socks for summit day
• LED head torch
• Sunglasses
• Ski goggles
• Vacuum flask, 1 litre. Preferably without a push-button lid
• Windproof face mask for the lower face (a scarf will do at a pinch)
• Gaiters
• Sun cream and lip balm
• Chemical hand warmers (not compulsory, but they can be very useful)
• Personal first-aid kit
• Elastic bandage and/or a support brace