Climb Aconcagua, 7 days

• In the 2016/2017 season we have combined expeditions so that you can acclimatise by climbing Aconcagua (14 day program) and then climb the Ojos del Salado, or do a full program of climbing the Ojos del Salado (17 days) and add 7 days of climbing Aconcagua.
• The altitude of Aconcagua is 6957 metres, which, despite the ease of the route, makes you think about full acclimatisation. Especially if you plan a 7-day program. In this case, even Himalayan climbers won’t be able to manage without acclimatisation because the route is too long and too high. Even the Aconcagua base camp is at the same altitude as the middle base camp in the Himalayas – 4350m. If you choose this program, think carefully about where and how you will acclimatise, and how quickly you can get to Aconcagua from any other mountain, as an extra week in the lowlands can be critical for haemoglobin levels in the blood. At the same time, do not forget the obligatory medical examination on Aconcagua, which includes an oxygen measurement. If the level seems insufficient to the doctor, the only chance to get out of the climb is to write a refusal from the National Park responsibility for your stay on the mountain. In other words, in the event of an evacuation, you will be responsible for all the costs, which can be considerable.

Day 1. Arrival in Mendoza (working day before noon or Saturday morning before 9.00). Obtaining the permit for Aconcagua. Transfer to the entrance of the National Park (Laguna Horcones) and walk to the confluence (3300m, 2-3 hours). Camping.
Day 2. Long jump (8-9 hours) from the main base camp Plaza de Mulas (4350m). The trail follows the wide valley of Playa Ancha. Camp.
Day 3. Crossing from Plaza de Mulas to Nido de Condores camp (5600m).
Day 4. Ascent from Nido de Condores (5600m) to camp 3 (Cholera, 6000m).
Day 5. Climb to the summit of Aconcagua (6957m), descent to camp 3 (6000m).
Day 6. Reserve day in case of bad weather.
Day 7. Descent to the Plaza de Mulas base camp. Trek from the base camp to the Laguna de Horcones. Transfer to Mendoza. Relaxation and farewell dinner.

• English speaking guide throughout the program.
• Mountain guides. One for every 3 people on the summit day.
• All transfers according to the program.
• All accommodation as per program.
• Assistance with obtaining necessary permits.
• Meals according to the program, breakfast only in the cities.
• Mules to carry equipment and food from Puente del Inca (Los Puquios) to Plaza de Mulas and back. Personal luggage up to a maximum of 20 kg.
• The base camp in Plaza de Mulas (2 nights).
• Food and fuel for the upper camps.
• First aid kit.

• International flights
• Climbing permit
• Porters
• Personal equipment
• Additional costs due to deviations from the program
• Medical insurance and accident evacuation costs
• Personal expenses (drinks, internet, phone calls, etc.)
• Any costs related to program changes
• Any costs caused by the changing of the programs

Documents: 

• Valid passport.
• Flight tickets.
• Medical insurance.

Personal equipment:

• Backpack. 50-60l.
• Sleeping bag, comfort temperature from -25C to -15C.
• Sleeping mattress.
• Trekking poles.
• Crampons, can be aluminium.
• Ice axe. Classic, on a lanyard. Can be lightweight or combined with a ski pole.
• Helmet.
• Harness.
• Carabiners, 3 pieces.
• Cup-Spoon-Bowl.

Clothes and footwear:

• Mountaineering Double or triple boots. Double: plastic or leather. For plastic we recommend Scarpa Vega – they seem to be the warmest of the double boots.
• Trainers or trekking boots. Ideally both. Sneakers for the base camp trail, light boots for the acclimatisation exit and base camp. You can also just have trainers.
• Waterproof layer – jacket + trousers. The industry offers a wide range of products, from simple 5000/5000 membranes to Gore-Tex products.
• Fleece suit.
• Thermal underwear layer – top and bottom.
• Thick and warm down coat.
• Thick gloves.
• Thin gloves.
• Bandana (in addition to protecting you from the sun in the valley, can be used to warm your neck or face in the cold).
• A cap.
• Warm trekking socks for the day of the climb.

Miscellaneous:

• LED headlamp.
• A pair of sunglasses.
• Ski goggles.
• 1L thermos. Preferably without a button on the lid.
• Windproof mask for the lower part of the face (can be partially replaced by a scarf).
• Gaiters.
• Sun block and lip balm.
• Chemical heaters (not essential, but can be very useful).
• Personal first aid kit.
• Elastic bandage and/or support bandage.