The itinerary of our Aconcagua expedition is 18 days, with two potential days for a summit attempt to maximize safety and success. It is essential to have three nights below 3250 before moving to a higher altitude. When I move to Base Camp, we like to spend 4 or 5 nights before staying further up the mountain. However, this adds to acclimatization by moving higher up the mountain. Not all expeditions have these extra days built into the trip. Plus, days off are key to options and safety.
If you are going to do any Aconcagua mountain guides, you should have 4 or 5 days to reach the summit of Aconcagua. We never rely on good weather; there can be heavy snowfall or strong winds in any month during the climbing season. Strong winds can blow for days and days. There are many trips where our teams only reach the top on the fourth or fifth potential summit attempt. Strong winds can last for a week on this mountain.
We are lucky to live at 2,438m / 8,000ft in Colorado. This helps to climbing Aconcagua. If you have enough time, we advise you to have a bit extra acclimatization, and you can go to sleep at an altitude close to 8,000 feet and go for a hike of up to 10,000 feet or 11,000 feet. This should be done directly before arriving in Mendoza. You could also consider doing a hypoxic workout. There are a variety of options available. You can find more options in a nearby city.
The pace of a high-altitude expedition is a critical factor for you to reach your goal safely and successfully. You may consider speed to be irrelevant or unimportant on long-distance high-altitude travel. Anyway, we can assure you that the correct rhythm and heart rate can differentiate between success and failure. Monitoring your heart rate during the trip is why we maintain a languid pace throughout the expedition.
So important is the pace at which we walk; it is vital to keep your backpack as light as you can. Let the mules do the heavy lifting; your time will come. The lighter your gear, the easier the journey from Plaza Argentina to Camp 3 on top of Aconcagua will be. It is recommended to avoid consuming too heavy food (meat) during the days of rest and acclimatization to the altitude. . We have planned meals to be as efficient as possible. We do not recommend alcohol after leaving Mendoza.
Depending on the month in which you do the Aconcagua treks to the Plaza de Mulas Base Camp. Make sure you enjoy this experience as if it were your last; believe me, you will not regret it for a moment.
