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GUANACOS VALLEY AND TRAVERSE ROUTE
DATES OF TRIPS
2005-2006
Nov 26 - Dec 15
Dec 3 - 22
Dec 10 - 29
Dec 12 - 31
Dec 17 - Jan 5
Dec 28 - Jan 16
Jan 4 - 23
Jan 7 - 26
Jan 14 - Feb 2
Jan 21 - Feb 9
Jan 28 - Feb 16
Feb 1 - 20
Feb 4 - 23
Feb 11 - Mar 2 |
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DURATION OF TRIP: |
20 days |
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COST OF TRIP: |
$3500 without climbing permit
$4100 with climbing permit
See
Cost/Includes
Page for Details. |
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DEPOSIT DUE TO RESERVE A POSITION: |
$700 |
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BALANCE AMOUNT: |
$2800 - $3400 |
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DATE BALANCE DUE: |
60 days before departure. |
COST INCLUDES
Professional Mountain Guides, 2 nights hotel accommodation in Mendoza at the
Mendoza Park Hyatt Hotel with breakfast buffet included (FIVE star hotel) ; 1 night at the beginning of the expedition and 1 night at the end of the expedition, 2 nights hotel
accommodation in Penitentes, breakfasts and dinners in Penitentes,
all land transportation, mules, all expedition food, all community
gear such as; tents, stoves, state of the art Base Camp, cooking
gear, medical kits, satellite phones, radios, gamow bag, pulse-oximeters,
etc., and Aconcagua permit fee. YOU ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR
Round Trip Flights to and from Mendoza, meals in Mendoza, Personal equipment, passport,
personal items and services (laundry, snacks, drinks, tips, etc.),
and expenses incurred in the case of a rescue. Extra expenses for early departure from the
expedition, such us non scheduled mules, etc.
NEW!
GUANACOS VALLEY and Traverse ACONCAGUA EXPEDITION
This route is a newly discovered, non-technical route,
explored by Aventuras Patagonicas in February of 1997. This is a
much less traveled side of Aconcagua with gradual elevation gain
between camps allowing for easier acclimatization than other routes.
Acclimatization is the key element to summiting the highest peak in
the Western Hemisphere. Our excellent success rate has been improved
by climbing Aconcagua via the Guanacos Valley. We named this route
the "Guanacos Route". During the exploration of the valley, we
encountered large herds of wild guanaco, a rare sight in the
Aconcagua region. This route offers very few trails, few people, and
a true sense of adventure. It is the last untouched route on
Aconcagua and we are proud to share this route with you! <more info below> TRAVERSE
Our Traverse has been popular among our clients. Climbing
Aconcagua via a non-technical route and descending the shorter
Normal Route gives you the entire spectrum of the mountain,
traveling three different valleys, the Vacas, Guanacos and Horcones,
passing four distinct faces of this tremendous mountain. On all of
these expeditions mules take our gear to Base Camp (Plaza Guanacos)
on the East side of the mountain. After the Summit, we descend the
north side via the Normal Route to Plaza de Mulas Base Camp. Mules
then carry our gear from Plaza de Mulas back to Penitentes while we
hike out to civilization with a light pack. We ascend via the
pristine Guanacos Valley and traverse to the Normal Route for the
descent.
TRIP ITINERARY
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DAY 1: |
Group
meets in Mendoza, Argentina. Equipment check and afternoon briefing
at the hotel. For dinner we will have a chance to taste fine
Argentinean cuisine and wine. |
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DAY 2: |
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 3-
4-5: |
Approach to Plaza Guanacos Base Camp. Mules carry
our gear. This approximately 35 mile approach is essential to our
acclimatization. Our first two days we follow the same route as
Aventuras Patagonicas old Traverse and Polish Glacier Expeditions.
The third day begins our new approach. We continue up the Vacas
Valley instead of ascending the Relinchos Valley. The chances of
seeing other expeditionson this new exciting route is remote. The
chance of seeing numerous wildlife is much more probable.
Spectacular glaciers contrasting with a desert backdrop make this
approach both surreal and unforgettable. We have an excellent chance
of seeing herds of guanacos. When Rodrigo did an exploratory trip to
the region he encountered several hundred, counting 80 in one
sighting alone! These magnificent mammals are well camouflaged,
extremely elusive and a rare sight in the Aconcagua region. |
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DAY 6: |
Plaza Guanaco Base Camp at 13,000 . 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 the next camp and returning to sleep below at the previous camp.
The next day we will move to the higher camp. |
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DAY 7: |
Carry a load to Camp I at approximately 15,200 . The
route goes up the narrow valley between the North side
of Cerro Ameghino
and Cerro San Francisco. Here we will be able to see Nieve
Penitentes, unique snow and ice formations created by the direct
sun. Return to Base Camp. |
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DAY 8: |
Leave Base Camp. Move to Camp I. |
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DAY 9: |
Carry a load to Camp II at 16,500 , a pleasant
well-protected area with tremendous views of Cerro Mercedario, Cerro
Mano and other Andean giants. Return to Camp I. |
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DAY 10: |
Move to Camp II. |
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DAY 11: |
Carry a load to Camp III, below the Polish Glacier at
17,800 . |
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DAY 12: |
Move to Camp III. depending on how group is doing. |
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DAY 13: |
Carry to High Camp, Piedras Blancas (White Rocks) at
19,200. |
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DAY 14: |
Move to High Camp. |
DAY 15-
16-17: |
Summit! Weather permitting. We allow several
days for our Summit Day in case of poor weather. |
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DAY
18: |
Descend the Normal Route to Plaza de Mulas Base Camp. This
will be quite exciting since we will be descending a different side
of the mountain. |
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DAY 19: |
Hike out the Horcones Valley, with its impressive
views of Aconcagua s South Face. Spend the night in Penitentes. |
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DAY 20: |
Drive to Mendoza. Enjoy delicious team banquet! Next
day fly home or continue traveling in South America. |
Note: This itinerary is intended to be a guideline only,
weather days and rest days are always a possibility while on a
climbing expedition. |
