The rapid ascent of the Aconcagua 360 Route
Aconcagua—”The Sentinel of Stone”—is one of the Seven Summits in the Central Andes. Climbers are drawn to the peak by its size and beauty. This is where the Incas worshipped and made sacrifices. the Aconcagua 360 Route is spectacular!
One of the more accessible approaches to Mount Everest or Cho Oyu is physically challenging. At 6,961 meters (22,838 feet), acclimatization, endurance, and consistency are essential. On the 360° path, climbers can see more of the scenery, glaciers, snowy slopes, and history.
Schedule:
Day 1: Getting There
Gather with your guides in Mendoza, and spend the day getting comfortable and seeing the city. Chill and get excited about your trip to this charming town famous for its wines, barbecue, and steaks.
Day 2: Head for Penitentes
After getting permission, you can take a private van from Mendoza to Penitentes, which is 8,501 feet (2,591 meters) away. Penitentes is the start of the valleys of Aconcagua. Get supplies and meals ready for the hike. Take a helicopter to camp if the weather is good.
Day 3: A helicopter ride to Base Camp or rest day
If you couldn’t get into base camp by foot yesterday night, you’ll be flying in by helicopter today. If not, you should spend some time in base camp acclimating to the elevation of 4,206 meters (almost 13,800 feet).
Day 4: Camp I move
It’s impossible to forget your first day on the mountain. Moving slowly towards the campsite at 16,500 feet, you’ll pass a moraine and a field of “towering penitents,” which are ice fins three meters tall and the product of the intense sun (5,030 meters). Just carry your daypack and let the porters do the heavy lifting. Set yourself in a tent and cook yourself a nice meal.
Day 5–7: Camp II move
After four hours of hiking across the Ameghinite Col and beneath the Polish Glacier, you will reach the second Guanacos Route camp at 18,000 feet (5,488 meters). Rest in camp and get your bearings before continuing the climb.
Day 8: Camp III move.
Moving to the last third camp today at an altitude of about 19,700 feet (6,000 meters). Follow the Regular Route from here on out. You may climb on slopes as shallow as 30 degrees today, below the Polish Glacier path. Camp III is where you should stop before making the ascent to the peak.
Day 9: Summit
After eating, you should make your way up the precarious North Ridge beyond the Refugio Independencies. The possible most challenging section is from the West Face to the Canaletto. Walk up the Canaletto’s 1,000 steps. From the base of the south peak to the top of the north peak, the Guanacos Ridge offers breathtaking panoramas.
When you’ve finished drinking water, descend to the Plaza de Mules camp at an altitude of 14,300 feet (4,360 meters). The North Peak stands at an impressive 22,841 feet (6,962 meters), making it the highest point in the Western Hemisphere. Aside from the South Face, the Andes, deserts, the Pacific, and the 2,745-meter height are breathtaking. Aim and fire before falling. Ten to twelve hours later, you’ll be in high camp.
Day 10–12: Built-in Weather
Now is the time to prepare for extreme weather or altitude conditions.
Day 13: Return to Mendoza
Enjoy one of the most spectacular helicopter rides back to base camp as you bid farewell to the mountain. It takes just 15 minutes to fly from the center to the road. Enjoy an authentic Asada (barbecue) dinner at a fine Mendoza restaurant and an overnight stay to commemorate the occasion. Take the van back to Mendoza after lunch.
Day 14: Depart Argentina
Travel back home from Aconcagua and Mendoza after an exciting day and a restful night.
Conclusion
Each night for 4-8 weeks before your climb, you will spend at least 8 hours in your home’s hypoxic tent. You may prepare for the high altitude of the Aconcagua 360 Route with hypoxic training without interrupting your career or family life.
Acclimation is optional, so you may bypass it and go to camps higher than 14,000 feet (4200m). Everyone who is reasonably fit has some altitude experience and can maintain self-discipline at home may benefit from hypoxic training.
