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Ascent to Aconcagua with acclimatization in Vallecitos
18-day trip to ascent Mount Aconcagua (6962 m), with a previous acclimatization period in Vallecitos, together with an IFMGA Mountain Guide.
Description
At 6962 meters, Aconcagua or ‘stone sentinel’ is the summit of America and the highest mountain in the world outside Asia. It is a giant that dominates all of the 5000 meter summits surrounding it.
I propose an 18-day expedition in 2 phases. The first 5 days are held in Vallecitos. There, we’ll be able to enjoy the scenery and prepare for an excellent acclimatization.
We will then travel to the Aconcagua area. During 11 days, we will continue the acclimatization. Then, we’ll begin the ascent.
Climbing Aconcagua
The difficulties for climbing up this summit are diverse: fog, altitude, cold and wind, especially the ‘white wind’, a very strong wind which can be violent. Temperature can drop a lot, so a very good equipment against cold is essential.
From a technical point of view, ascending Aconcagua via the normal route does not present any major difficulties. The only tricky section is 350 meters before the summit, a place called the ‘Canaleta’. This is a rock corridor with an altitude change of over 350 meters and tilted nearly 45%, which could full of snow at the time of our ascent.
Depending on the season, we can find very hard snow. This might render the ascent delicate in some places. Because of this, crampons, ice-axe and a rope are essential.
A good acclimatization to altitude, as well as a very good physical shape will be the keys to success to reach the summit. Besides, a hyperbaric chamber is provided to avoid any incident caused by altitude.
Furthermore, there is a high rate of success thanks to our partner in Argentina having a perfect knowledge of this itinerary: a local correspondent who can best manage all the problems inherent to Argentina.
Please contact me if you want to be a part of this unique adventure climbing the highest mountain in America.
And if you are planning to climb the highest summits in each continent, check this trip to ascent Kilimanjaro, in Africa.
Details
Accommodation -Hotel. -Mountain Hut. -Camp (tents) |
Meeting point Buenos Aires (Argentina), Santiago (Chile) or Mendoza (Argentina). |
Photos
Itinerary
Day 1: Flight to Buenos Aires
Depart from Paris (or another city) – Flight to Buenos Aires.
Arrival in Buenos Aires-transfers, free time and overnight at the hotel (meals are not included).
Day 2: Santiago or Buenos Aires – Mendoza (757 m)
Transfer to airport and flight to Mendoza (2-hour flight).
Overnight at the hotel (meals are not included).
Explanatory conference about the Aconcagua. Equipment inspection. Help for equipment rental if needed.
Day 3: Mendoza / Vallecitos
Proceeding to trekking permits. Equipment rental if needed.
Transfer from Mendoza to Vallecitos at an altitude of 2900 m.
Dinner and overnight at the Mausy hut.
Day 4: Cadent 4000 m
Ascent to Cadent at an altitude of 4000 m.
Dinner and overnight at the Mausy hut.
Day 5: Piedra Grande camp
Ascent to Piedra Grande camp at an altitude of 3400 m. Equipment transfer with mules. Dinner and overnight in tents.
Day 6: Adolfo Calle 4200 m – Stepanek 4000 m
Traverse ascension of the Adolfo Calle at 4200 m and the Stepanek at 4000 m.
Back to Piedra Grande camp. Dinner and overnight at Piedra Grande camp.
Day 7: Vallecitos / Penitentes (2725)
Descent from Piedra Grande refuge to Vallecitos.
Transfer Vallecitos / Penitentes.
Accommodation at the hotel. Preparation of loads for the mules (breakfast, lunch and dinner are included). Start of the climb to Aconcagua.
Day 8: Penitentes / Confluencia (3300)
Transport to the entrance of Aconcagua Park.
License presentation.
Trek to Confluencia camp (breakfast, lunch and dinner are included).
Day 9: Confluencia / Plaza Francia
Trek to Plaza Francia (base of the South face of Aconcagua), lunch and return to Confluencia (breakfast, lunch and dinner are included).
Day 10: Confluencia / Base camp Plaza de Mulas (4260)
Trek to base camp Plaza de Mulas. (Breakfast, lunch and dinner are included).
Day 11: Base camp Plaza de Mulas (4260)
Acclimatization and reorganization of the equipment for the summit (breakfast, lunch and dinner are included).
Day 12: Base camp Plaza de Mulas / Bonete Summit (5100 m) / Base camp Plaza de Mulas
Trek to the summit of Mount Bonete and return to base camp Plaza de Mulas.
This trek takes around 6 hours and we reach an altitude of 5100 m.
This ascent allows us to improve our altitude acclimatization (breakfast, lunch and dinner are included).
Day 13: Base camp Plaza de Mulas / Camp 1 Canada (4910) / Base camp Plaza de Mulas
Trek for acclimatization and equipment transport to Camp 1 Canada and return to base camp Plaza de Mulas (breakfast, lunch and dinner are included).
Day 14: Base camp Plaza de Mulas / Camp 1 Canada (4910)
Ascent to Camp 1 Canada (breakfast, lunch and dinner are included).
Day 15: Camp 1 Canada / Camp 2 Nido de Condores (5250)
Ascent to Camp 2 Nido de Condores (breakfast, lunch and dinner are included).
Day 16: Camp 2 Nido de Condores / Camp 3 Berlin – Colera (5900)
Ascent to Camp 3 Berlin (breakfast, lunch and dinner are included).
Day 17: Camp 3 Berlin-Colera / SUMMIT (6962) / Camp 3 Berlin-Colera
Ascent to the summit of Aconcagua from Camp 3 Berlin-Colera and return to Camp 3 (breakfast, lunch and dinner are included).
Day 18: Camp 3 Berlin-Colera / Base Camp Plaza de Mulas
Descent to base camp Plaza de Mulas (breakfast, lunch and dinner are included).
Day 19 to 20: Extra days
Extra days due to contingencies or bad weather that might prevent the normal development of the program (breakfast, lunch and dinner are included).
(Hotel costs and meals are not included in case of descent to Mendoza if these days are not used)
Day 21: Base camp Plaza de Mulas / Puente del Inca / Mendoza
Descent to Puente del Inca. Transport to Mendoza.
Accommodation at the hotel (breakfast, lunch and farewell dinner).
Day 22: Transfer to airport
Transfer hotel/airport (breakfast). Flight to Buenos Aires. Hotel at Buenos Aires (meals are not included)
Day 23: Flight to France
Breakfast – Transfer hotel/airport – International flight to France (meals are not included)
Day 24: Arrival to France
About the guide
UIAGM/IFMGA Mountain Guide
- The passion of virgin areas -
Climbing, mountaineering, trekking, off-piste skiing, ski touring, heliskiing, I have used all the resources available in the mountain to explore the Alps in France, Italy, Switzerland, and also Nepal, Peru and Bolivia, Chile, Argentina, Alaska, Canada, Kenya, Tanzania, Morocco and Turkey, Norway, Greenland and Spitsbergen…
Currently, with the enthusiasm of being a guide, I traverse the world’s mountains and I share my passion with those whom I call “clients” but after many years of common adventures have become my friends.
What people are saying about Jean-Marc Kaufmann
Chantal
5.00
December 2015
Noémie
5.00
September 2014
Jean-Marc nous a guidé avec beaucoup de professionnalisme dans l\'ascension du Grand-Paradis cet été. Ce fut une très belle première expérience d\'alpinisme pour moi, en toute confiance. Les passionnantes discussions à bâtons-rompus comme le respect du silence (dans la longue descente) m\'ont paru précieux également.
Gauthier
5.00
August 2014
J’ai eu la chance de rencontrer Goulven et d’être guidé par lui sur le Grand Paradis en août 2014. C’est un super compagnon de cordée, un pro de la sécurité, un excellent leader, un défenseur de belles valeurs montagnardes et une personne très riche par le métier diversifié qu’il exerce, guide de haute montagne mais aussi copilote d’hélicoptère.
Charles
5.00
August 2014
Je recommande vivement de vous entourer de Goulven pour vos expéditions. Outre ses excellentes compétences techniques, vous découvrirez un guide aimant partagé sa riche expérience humaine et professionnelle et soucieux de vous faire vivre de belles choses à ses côtés!
Jean-Baptiste
5.00
August 2014
Jean-Marc is an experienced professional with a good sense of humor. Getting to the top of the Gran Paradiso with him has been a pleasant and enriching experience.
Charles
5.00
August 2014
Thanks to Jean-Marc (together with his colleague Goulven) we spent a wonderful time climbing up the Gran Paradisio! Their great technical expertise and long-standing experience enable us to feel safe as well as excited about this trek! In addition, I enjoyed very much our inspiring discussions with these guides. They shared their rich professional and human experience with a great deal of enthusiasm! I recommend to spend the night at the Chabod refuge on the first day and drop by Vittorio Emmanuel II while climbing-down towards the starting point.
Prices per person
Group of 1 | EUR 5731 each |
Group of 2 | EUR 5731 each |
Group of 3 | EUR 5731 each |
Group of 4 | EUR 5731 each |
Group of 5 | EUR 5731 each |
Group of 6 | EUR 5731 each |
Group of 7 | EUR 5731 each |
Group of 8 | EUR 5731 each |
Want a different number of travellers?
Price includes
- Guiding fee
- Accommodation
- Transport during the trip
- Permit and entrance fees
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Hello to all who like the intensity of amazing heights reached with sometimes a bit of sweat but so rewarding that the memories live in you year in or out. I travelled many times with Jean-Marc as guide. Heliskiing in Canada, Touring skiing (seals\' skin skiing) in Tromso, Spitzberg or more simply in ski resorts like France, Italy and Bulgaria. I recommend him for the complete trust in what he is sure I can do and his guiding ability on top of our sharing a good bear after the day\'s efforts (I am Belgian so ...). I even tried myself at 53 years\' old to a bit of climbing with \"Aiguille d\'Entrève\" and discovered a new ability. Great moments past and to come.