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Dates |
29th January to 22nd February 2025 |
| Duration | 25 days | |
| Grade | 1C | |
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"Andes" Leadership Fee
(includes leaders expenses) £3095 |
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Mountaineering in Argentina
Please get in touch soon if you are interested as there are only 2 places left on this expedition.
PRICES & COSTS
All are per person.
"ANDES" Leadership Fee (includes leaders expenses) -- £3095
Estimated Airfares from the UK -- £1000
Estimated Travel Costs in Argentina -- £700
Permit Price -- US$500-$900 at 2022-23 prices, depending on season (approx. £400-£700)
Estimated Accommodation & Meals -- £300
ESTIMATED TOTAL COST per person -- £5600-£5800
What's included in the price you pay ANDES and what's not.
INTRODUCTION
Aconcagua is the highest peak in South America, at 6959m. This expedition to the mountain will climb by the quieter eastern side, joining the normal route high on the mountain. On this side of the mountain the trek to base camp takes three days, allowing some good acclimatisation time. From the Plaza Argentina base camp at 4200m the eastern route on Aconcagua involves a couple of hard days up over scree to a high camp at the foot of the Polish Glacier at 5900m. Not far above our high camp the normal route is joined, leading over scree and snowfields to the summit. With our very small group size and low guide ratio ensuring personal attention throughout the trip, this expedition is equivalent to the "highly supported" Aconcagua trips offered by other companies.
This ascent is suitable for anyone with several years mountain walking experience and previous experience of extended wilderness camping. Winter skills, such as the use of an ice-axe and crampons, are not always necessary and you don't have to have these in advance of the expedition. However we will need to carry an ice-axe and crampons on the mountain. John Biggar and ANDES have run over twenty-five successful Aconcagua trips since 1995. In the past many of these have sold out, so book soon for this one if you want to be sure of a place.
Before going to Aconcagua this expedition will make a short trip to the beautiful Cordon del Plata. We'll climb some of the smaller peaks in this range (up to 4500-5000m) as training peaks for the ascent of Aconcagua. This short trip is also a great chance to get familiar with the climate and learn about high altitude camping in a scenic setting.
Approaching Aconcagua from the east.
NOTE - Why our Aconcagua trips are good.
1. We visit another mountain area first. This makes your expedition more interesting and increases your acclimatisation.
2. We travel by the more scenic but longer and more costly Vacas valley route. Our 2025 expedition is 25 days long.
3. Our maximum guide to client ratio on summit day is 1:4 and in practice it is often only 1:2. This makes a big difference to your chance of summit success.
4. This trip will be guided by John Biggar (barring exceptional circumstances). John has summitted Aconcagua 9 times and of 29 clients who got to base camp he has reached the summit with 18. Included in thsi statistic are two expeditions to Aconcagua where terrible weather prevented any teams from summiting. The average success rate on the mountain is more like 20%.
A wee stroll from our hgih camp beneath the Polish Glacier on Aconcagua.
Outline Itinerary |
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Days 1-2 |
Flight via Buenos Aires or Santiago to Mendoza |
| Day 3 | In Mendoza |
| Days 4-7 | Acclimatisation climbs in the Cordon del Plata |
| Day 8 | Rest in Mendoza |
| Days 9-11 | Trek to Plaza Argentina base camp |
| Day 12 | Rest and organise at base camp |
| Days 13-21 | Ascent of Aconcagua (6959m) |
| Days 22-23 | Trek out to Punta de Vacas |
| Days 24-25 | Return to Mendoza and home |
General Information about our holidays
Please read our warning on altitude before booking this expedition to high altitude.
Who runs 'ANDES' and where we are based
General information about equipment, accommodation, flights, meals etc.
MENDOZA
We always have time to see some of the city of Mendoza during the course of the expedition. Mendoza is the centre of Argentina's wine industry. It is one of Argentina's most beautiful and prosperous cities, with many tree lined avenues, beautiful tiled plazas and a good choice of steak restaurants and pavement cafes. The short time spent in Mendoza is a highlight for nearly all of our customers, perhaps because the temperature can reach 35ºC in January! Depending on flight schedules we may also have part of a day in either Santiago, the Chilean capital or Buenos Aires, the Argentine capital. We can also arrange a one or two night extension for any clients who want to be sure to see either of these capital cities.
CORDON DEL PLATA
Before going to Aconcagua we spend four nights in the Cordon del Plata. This mini expedition to a range of lower peaks nearer to Mendoza is a good chance to get to know each other, get a feel for the conditions and get some acclimatisation before the big trip into Aconcagua. We drive to the Vallecitos ski resort at 3000m then walk up into the mountains usually camping at about 3300-3500m. If expedition members are feeling fit and well acclimatised there will be a chance to climb one of the many smaller peaks in the range such as Pico Franke 4850m.
Lomas Amarillas and Vallecitos seen from just below camp in the Cordon del Plata.
CLIMATE
The climate at altitude in this part of the Andes is cold, windy and extremely dry. High on Aconcagua temperatures can fall to -20ºC at night. During the day it can feel warm in the strong sun, but it can also be bitterly cold and windy, especially on summit day. Temperatures during the approach trek in the Vacas and Relinchos valley are usually a pleasant 25-30ºC during the day, but cool at night. It should be dry most of the time we are there, though there is a chance of a snow storm in the mountains.
THE DIFFERENCES
What we offer is different from the package ascents of the normal route offered by most other companies. Our 2025 expedition is 25 days long, giving you more chance to acclimatise and therefore more chance of reaching the summit. The extra 2 or 3 days we include (compared to most companies) can make a huge difference to your chances of success.
Our ascents are more 'alpine' in style. We get some acclimatisation with our short trip to the Cordon del Plata, then climb Aconcagua making steady progress upwards with minimal load carrying. Many expeditions still use "siege" tactics on Aconcagua, which involves a lot of time sitting at an unpleasant base camp, then repeated ascending and descending on the same route to load carry. We believe our approach is not only better but also much more interesting. In the past our trips have had good summit success rates, often better than other teams on the mountain at the same time.
Our party will be small, with a maximum of four clients plus leader. We use mules to help us transport extra food and climbing gear to base camp (and rubbish back out) but otherwise we will be a small group on the mountain. This lightweight approach has less impact on sensitive mountain areas. We have a better client to guide ratio than many competitors, which dramatically improves your chances of making it to the summit.
Looking down the lower half of the canaleta in very cold conditions, January 2008
FITNESS & EXPERIENCE REQUIRED
Ascents to over 6000m require considerable fitness. Good hillwalking/mountaineering fitness and stamina is very important of course, but for high altitude expeditions clients also need good cardiopulmonary (heart and lung) fitness. This can only be maintained by a program of intensive exercise such as fast running, circuit training, squash or uphill cycling. This should be done in small doses (e.g. half an hour every day with some rest days) over a period of at least three months before the expedition. If you don't do this sort of exercise you are unlikely to get to the top.
The eastern route on Aconcagua is on the whole an easy ascent route with few difficulties, suitable for those with some years of winter and/or Alpine walking experience.
Customers should be prepared for cold nights whilst camping and be prepared for very windy and dusty weather at times in the mountains. While we use some porterage, customers must be able to carry their share of expedition equipment on their back above base camp. Weights carried will be up to 20kg. As we'll be a long way from the nearest supermarket we will have to put up witha fair bit of tinned and/or freeze-dried food in our diet during our time on the mountain. All customers are expected to assist occasionally with the routine work of this type of expedition; pitching tents, cooking and washing up.
Standing in the sun at 6500m after five long cold hours in the darkness, 2018 expedition.
INSURANCE, HEALTH & SECURITY
All clients must be insured for medical costs and repatriation. We recommend having insurance for cancellation, baggage and personal liability as well. If you would like advice on insurance please ask. Vaccinations for tetanus, typhoid and polio are recommended. Argentina is very safe and relaxing to travel in; theft and muggings are almost certainly less likely than they are in many European cities.
SAFETY & RISK
This is an adventure holiday and all
clients will be exposed to hazards not found in
everyday life by taking part in this itinerary. While we take all
reasonable precautions to reduce risk it is neither possible nor desirable
to completely eliminate these hazards. It is important that you understand
the hazards you may be exposed to before
signing our booking form. We have identified the following areas as the
principal additional risks of this itinerary. (Some of
these could potentially result in serious injury or death). This is
not a fully inclusive list - a more
detailed risk assessment of this itinerary is available on our
Risk Assessments page, or phone/e-mail us
and ask some questions!
Driving, hotels and general safety : In
Argentina driving, fire safety standards and general safety standards are not as
high as in Europe.
Remoteness : You will be camping in a
remote area for an extended period and therefore obtaining medical assistance
for any problem will be a slow process.
Minor slips and falls : due to steep,
uneven and unstable ground.
Weather : Aconcagua is occasionally
affected by severe and sometimes dangerous storms. Forecasts are not so
reliable. It can be extremely cold and windy on summit days, and there is a
significant frostbite risk.
Altitude : At high altitudes there is an
increased risk of medical problems, most obviously altitude illness.
Mountain Hazards : In certain places you may be subjected to a slight risk
of rock slips. There are river crossings on this itinerary which could become
very serious in wet weather. In stormy weather there may be a slight risk from avalanches
higher on the mountain.
A warm high camp on Aconcagua at 5900m in February 2009..... and in contrast below ....the mountain in cold and stormy conditions in January 2016.
EXPEDITION ORGANISATION & LEADERSHIP
Our expeditions are designed to be smaller and more flexible than the rigidly organised expeditions of large companies. The expedition will be co-ordinated, organised and led by us, but we'll consult and involve the expedition members when planning the day-to-day details of the trip. Please note however that the leaders decision is final where the safety of the group or any member is in jeopardy; for example where retreat or diversion is necessary due to illness or bad weather. The group size will be no more than four customers plus leader so you can be sure of personal attention and a very good guiding ratio.
This trip will be guided by John Biggar (barring exceptional circumstances). John has summitted Aconcagua 9 times and of 29 clients who got to base camp he has reached the summit with 18. Five of those who did not summit with John were on one single expedition where the weather was shocking and other groups on the mountain were left with frostbite injuries. This 60% success rate contrasts with the average success rate on the mountain, which is about 20%.
WHAT'S INCLUDED IN OUR PRICE AND WHAT'S NOT INCLUDED
Our price is for leadership/guiding and mountain services only. It INCLUDES the leaders fee (wages) and all their expenses, such as flights, travel, hotels, meals, permits. It also INCLUDES his or her share of communal expenses, which may be such things as travel, mule and porter costs, shared hotel rooms.
Our price also INCLUDES all mountain services such as provision of tents, stoves and all other communal camping equipment, all mountain food including all camp food and lunches on day trips. It also INCLUDES any communal mountaineering equipment that may be necessary, such as ropes, karabiners, etc., and on most expeditions emergency use of satellite telephone link.
Our price does NOT INCLUDE - your flights, your insurance, your hotel/hostel accommodation, your meals taken at cafes and restaurants, your share of communal travel costs (e.g. mule costs), your personal climbing and camping equipment (i.e. used by you alone, such as sleeping bag, ice-axe, crampons), Aconcagua permits or peak fees.
A WARNING
Aconcagua is a popular choice as a first 6000m peak, or the "next step" after Kilimanjaro. However it can be a tough trip if you have not climbed in the Andes or Himalayas before. Although the ascent is just a "walk" for experienced mountaineers every year we have seen less experienced groups on the peak struggle with the combination of difficult terrain, seriously cold conditions and the extreme altitude. Aconcagua is physically and psychologically the toughest expedition we run because of the frequent bad weather and the extended period of wilderness camping.
Before booking on Aconcagua we
recommend that you have experience of at least three of the following four items:-
1. Previous ascent to over 6000m
2. Recent experience of extended wilderness camping and/or camping in
cold winter conditions.
3. Recent backpacking experience.
4. Good skills walking on scree and loose ground.
If you have none of
these previous experiences you are very unlikely to make it to the summit and
you should not book any Aconcagua trip until you gain more
experience. Our expeditions are no more demanding than others, Aconcagua is just
a very tough mountain.
