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General Information
From your arrival in Santiago or Mendoza on day 1 one until departing Santiago/Mendoza at the end of the trip, an English-speaking guide will be on hand to provide information and iron out any problems. While trekking and climbing you will be accompanied by mountain guides. To maximise the chance of summit success on Cerro Aconcagua, we typically employ a ratio of one guide to every 3 or 4 clients.
In the mountains, we use two-person mountain tents. In towns, we use clean, comfortable hotels.
Note that you will be expected to assist in pitching and striking tents, and from time to time may be called upon to assist guides in meal preparation.
Fitness & Experience
A very good level of physical fitness is necessary (please contact us for further information), experience in the use of crampons and ice axe is also a requirement. Previous experience of mountaineering and camping in remote mountain areas is essential. Cerro Aconcagua is a long, tiring climb, with several stages involving steep ascent (and descent) on loose surfaces such as boulders and scree. Some days, namely summit days involve up to 15 hours’ walking. Typically, walking days range between 6 and 9 hours. On most trekking days, a daypack is carried, but on days on Aconcagua you are expected to carry a full load (15 – 22 kg, approx) at altitudes ranging from 4,300m to 5,850m.
The extreme altitude and climatic conditions of Aconcagua are probably the most important factors on this itinerary and have a very big influence, both physically and psychologically, on your experience of Cerro Aconcagua. Being such a big mountain (in terms of bulk as well as height), Aconcagua – sometimes described as psychologically and climatically equating to “a small 8,000” - deserves utmost respect. In terms of the altitude, we have been very rigorous in programming our acclimatisation regime. As for climate, wind conditions and cold can be extreme on the upper slopes of Aconcagua.
It is of utmost importance that you be appropriately equipped with high mountain clothing of suitable quality & we can provide recommendations on request.
Our guides are experienced high altitude mountaineers, with extensive experience and knowledge of the potential health risk and climatic dangers inherent in a high altitude mountaineering trip of this nature.
Climate This itinerary takes place within a narrow band of latitudes (32° to 34° south), but covers a very wide range of altitudes. It also traverses many geographic and climatic zones, from the sun-baked streets of Santiago and Mendoza (both just a few hundred metres above sea level) to Cerro Aconcagua (6,959 metres), on whose upper slopes extreme cold and winds are the norm. (N.B. All CA departures coincide with the southern hemisphere summer. Text below refers to this season).
The Andes: Much of this itinerary takes place above 4,000 metres, and extended periods are spent above 5,000m.
Climatic conditions in the Central High Andes of Chile and Argentina usually originate in the Pacific Ocean anticyclone. The humid westerly air currents that it sends inland collide with the Andes and, from time to time, bring severe conditions. Cerro Aconcagua, due to its great altitude and bulk, is especially susceptible, and periodically its upper slopes (above 5,200m) get buffeted by 150kph winds. Such conditions will often create a vast lenticular cloud above the summit. Even when the conditions at Plaza de Mulas camp (4,200m) appear fine and windless, the presence of this cloud formation signifies strong winds, extreme cold and snowstorms high on the mountain. It is also a sign that the upper mountain should be abandoned.
Summer temperatures of minus 30°C high on Aconcagua are not unusual. Just before dawn at our high camps in-tent temperatures commonly reach minus 15 or minus 20°C, and near the summit, wind chill can lower temperatures to minus 40°C. Very high up on Aconcagua, temperatures never get very high. Even at base camp (4,200m), rare southerly winds sometimes bring temperatures of minus 18°C. Severe electrical storms are another (occasional) summer phenomenon, and should not be underestimated.
Nevertheless, summer days and nights on Aconcagua can also be relatively tame. On still days at noon, it might be possible to hang around base camp in a bathing suit! On particularly benign, windless days, it is sometimes feasible to stand on Aconcagua’s summit at noon wearing only a few layers. The fickle - and often localised - nature of Aconcagua’s climate, means nothing should be taken for granted. Frostbite and hypothermia are risks for the under-equipped mountaineer; it is important to pack for the worst conditions.
On the lower slopes of Aconcagua conditions are less extreme and unpredictable, but nevertheless prone to fickleness. Below 4,200m, afternoons are generally warm with a lot of sunshine. On Aconcagua, the sun is extremely strong and burns very quickly. At lower camps on Aconcagua (around 3,300m) days are warm to hot and nights, cool to cold. At base camp, Aconcagua (around 4,200m) expect warm days and freezing nights. Note that at altitude, temperatures vary sharply between sun and shade and between sheltered and exposed ground. Also with height gain and loss.
Santiago and Mendoza : Climatic conditions in these cities (visited before, between and after expeditions) are very different to those in the high Andes. Summer temperatures in these cities are usually very warm or hot (expect lows of 17 and highs of 35°C). Here, lightweight summer clothing is ideal.
Visas British citizens visiting Chile and Argentina currently require no visa. Your passport must be valid for at least six months after the date of travel. Non-British passport holders should check their visa requirements with their Chilean and Argentine Consulate. All requirements are subject to change and should be confirmed before departure.
Personal Expenditure For this expedition, we recommend you carry your funds in US dollars cash (in mixed-denomination, unmarked and undamaged bank notes) and US dollar travellers’ cheques (Note: It can be difficult to change outside banking hours and typically incur a 3-5% commission). An ATM cash card is very handy, with many hole-in-the-wall machines available in Santiago & Mendoza. A credit card is useful to bring as back-up.
The cost of the tour includes all meals while on expedition. You will need money to cover: Aconcagua climbing permit (US$120 mid season / US$ 200 high season), other meals, snacks and drinks (approximately the same price as Europe), tipping, any equipment hire, airport taxes ($25 international), any optional excursions and any other personal expenditure (e.g. laundry, gifts etc).
Flights We can arrange (or assist with) your flight to Santiago/Mendoza at competitive rates through our ATOL-bonded agency. Approximate prices are shown on the Dates and Prices sheet sent with the brochure.
Insurance Your insurance policy must cover you against medical expenses and repatriation. Please ensure it covers all activities you will be participating in. We ask that you send us a copy of your policy as soon as possible after booking.
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