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Polish Glacier Route to Aconcagua
Join Rodrigo, a certified IFMGA guide, on an 18-day ascent through the Polish Glacier Route to the top of Aconcagua. Experience a technical route for skilled climbers.
Andes
1 Day
Jan, Feb, Mar, Nov, Dec
Extremely Fit
Advanced
Description
The Polish Glacier Route to Aconcagua is a more technical way to summit this great mountain!
This Polish Glacier Route allows you to enjoy a more wild and remote area. Because less than 15% of the climbers come this way, it will be a more solitary ascent. Also, this way up is appreciated for its beauty and technical difficulty. Therefore if you want to try this route you need prior high altitude experience. In addition you have to know how to use an ice axe, crampons and be familiar with belaying techniques.
With more than 30 years guiding in the area I know this route like the back of my hand. And I have successfully guided it many times. I'll take you to the Polish Glacier through the Ameghino – Upper Guanacos Valley. Then we'll traverse the mountain to use this fascinating glacier ending right below the summit.
In the way up you'll find yourself in unbelievable places. Like our Camp I -Plaza Canada- (4928 m) which has an impressive view of the north face of Aconcagua and alpine Cerro Cuerno. Or the unusual rock formations that surround Camp III -Piedras Blancas- (5852 m).
Due to the different conditions on the mountain I will choose a line once we get there. Hence, if we encounter lots of penitentes (snow pinnacles) in the lower part of the glacier, I will take us through the right hand side. Also I will choose between a steeper direct route -safer due to fewer ice traverses- or the old route, not so steep but more exposed.
So contact me and I take you safely through this amazing Polish Glacier Route to Aconcagua! And if you are looking to summit some other great mountains check out some of my other trips: 12-day Nevado Juncal and 20-day Tupungato Volcano.
Itinerary
Day 1: Arrival
Arrival at the Mendoza Park – Hyatt Hotel. Team meeting and individual equipment check. Exquisite Argentinean cuisine and wine for dinner.
Day 2: Transfer to Penitentes
Permits at the Aconcagua Park Service office. Drive to Penitentes. Lunch stop in Uspallata on the way. Optional afternoon hike (recommended).
Day 3: Hike to Confluencia
Hike through Horcones Valley. Camp in Confluencia (3322 m). Mules carry your gear.
Day 4: Acclimatization climb
Hike to the base of the majestic South Face of Aconcagua (3962 m). Return to Confluencia.
Day 5: Ascent to Plaza de Mulas
Hike to our Base Camp in Plaza de Mulas (4200 m).
Day 6: Acclimatization Day
Rest and acclimatization day at Base Camp (4200 m). Practice of snow and ice techniques.
Day 7: First ascent to Camp I
Hike to Camp I, Plaza Canada (4928 m) carrying some gear. Return to Base Camp (4200 m).
Day 8: Move to Camp I
Ascent to Camp I (4928 m).
Day 9: First ascent to Camp II
Hike to Camp II, Nido de Cóndores (5431 m) carrying some gear. Return to Camp I (4928 m).
Day 10: Move to Camp II
Ascent to Camp II (5431 m).
Day 11: First ascent to Camp III
Hike to Camp III, Piedras Blancas -High Camp- (5852 m) carrying some gear. Return to Camp II (5431 m).
Day 12: Move to Camp III
Ascent to Camp III (5852 m).
Day 13: Summit Day!
Summit (6962 m). We leave several days for our summit day in case of poor weather.
Day 16: Descent to Base Camp
Descent from High Camp to Base Camp in Plaza de Mulas (4200 m).
Day 17: Hike down to Penitentes
Hike through the Horcones Valley. Mules carry the gear. Afternoon arrival to Penitentes. Quick shower and transfer to Mendoza. Night at the Park Hyatt.
Day 18: Departure
Leisure day in Mendoza.
Details
Accommodation - 2 nights hotel accommodation in Mendoza at the Mendoza Park Hyatt Hotel with breakfast buffet (1 night at the beginning of the expedition and 1 night at the end of the expedition).
- 1 night hotel accommodation with breakfast and dinner in Penitentes, on the way to the mountain.
- High altitude tents for the Camps. |
More info Level: You need to have previous high altitude experience, and be very familiar with the use of ice axe, crampons, and belaying techniques. 1) NON-STOP FLIGHT OPTIONS FROM LONDON TO MENDOZA (*) From London to Buenos Aires:
From Buenos Aires to Mendoza:
2) NON-STOP FLIGHT OPTIONS FROM NEW YORK TO MENDOZA (*) From New York to Buenos Aires: -Airline: United EWR–EZE (11 h 5 m) US$1,005 round trip - Airline: American - LATAM Operated by American Airlines for Latam Airlines Argentina JFK–EZE (10 h 44 m) US$1,083 round trip - Airline: Aerolineas Argentinas - Delta JFK–EZE (10 h 55 m) US$1,270 round trip From Buenos Aires to Mendoza:
(*) Total price includes taxes + fees for 1 adult. Additional bag fees and other fees may apply. |
Meeting point Mendoza Park Hyatt Hotel. |
Photos
About the guide
An Internationally Certified UIAGM / IFMGA Mountain Guide, Rodrigo has been a guide for 30 years. He has led 24 expeditions to Denali and 28 expeditions to Aconcagua — the highest peaks in North and South America, respectively. He has been a member of expeditions to Shisha Pangma and Cho Oyu in the Himalaya, and his climbs in Patagonia include the North and Central Towers of Paine, Agujas Guillaumet and Poincenot, as well as Cerro Torre attempts. He’s made Patagonian Ice Cap explorations including the first east-west traverse of the northern Ice Cap. He holds first ascents in Antarctica, the Andes and Alaska; speed ascents of Denali, Aconcagua, and Juncal. He’s guided the Ellsworth Mountains and Mt. Vinson in Antarctica and has extensive climbing and guiding experience in Yosemite and the Alps, including Frendo Spur and the Grand Jorasses. He’s a former Technical Committee member for the American Mountain Guides Association and a Senior Guide at Exum Mountain Guides in Jackson Hole, Wyoming. Rodrigo speaks fluent English, French and Spanish.
What people are saying about -Rodrigo Mujica
Kisumu
5.00
March, 2008
From the start Aventuras Patagonicas was welcoming, which set the trip up on the right foot. The guides, Wes, Lucia and Sebastian were all excellent and worked very hard to get the group of climbers safely up and down the mountain. The food was excellent and well organized. The gear provided on the mountain (tents) were also of good quality. I would climb again with Patagonicas.
Pawel
5.00
February, 2023
Great guides, great equipment, amazed about how good food was. All round a very experienced and top end operator who know what they are doing and will maximise your chances of getting to the summit. Reaching top Aconcagua was one of greatest highlights of my life thank you Aventuras Patagonicas.
Anonymous
5.00
January, 2025
I did a 20 day climb of Aconcagua with this company. The guides were excellent and made the trip as enjoyable as possible. We had hot meals every evening and morning. Aconcagua is a hard mountain and it takes a great deal of effort to reach the top. The guides at Patagonicas are committed to each client's safety on the mountain. I would recommend them over any other company on the mountain.
Balázs Szili
5.00
January, 2022
The traveller did not leave a comment.
Prices per person
Group of 1 | USD 4846 Each |
Group of 2 | USD 4846 Each |
Group of 3 | USD 4846 Each |
Group of 4 | USD 4846 Each |
Group of 5 | USD 4846 Each |
Group of 6 | USD 4846 Each |
Group of 7 | USD 4846 Each |
Group of 8 | USD 4846 Each |
Want a different number of travellers?
Price includes
- Guiding fee
- Lunch
- Dinner
- Breakfast
- Mules and horses
- Luggage transfer
- Camping equipment tents
- Accommodation included
- Transport during the trip
- Camping equipment cooking utensils
Price details
The price does not include:
- Round-trip flights to and from Mendoza, Argentina
- Aconcagua climbing permit fee ($700 to $900 depending on season) which you will pay in Mendoza, accompanied by your guide. South Americans pay about half of this amount and Argentinean Citizens about 1/4 of that amount.
- Meals in Mendoza
- Personal equipment
- Passport
- Personal items and services (laundry, snacks, drinks, tips, etc.)
- Expenses incurred in the case of a rescue or early departure from the expedition
- SAT phone charges
For booking assistance
Our experienced outdoor adventure team is ready to help you boost your experience and will assist you throughout the whole process, from the moment you choose a program until you return from your trip.
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