Aconcagua - two weeks on the mountain

Before I left Belgium (already more than 4 months ago now) I knew that I would have one important deadline during my travel: mid of January I should arrive in Mendoza, Argentina, in order to meet up with Lio and Sara... Together we have the crazy plan to attack the highest mountain of the Americas -Aconcagua- almost 7000m!

And so it happens...  the three of us meet in Mendoza, the wine capital of Argentina, and accompanied by a good steak and a bottle of red wine we discuss the planning of our trip. In order to fully enjoy Aconcagua we intend to do the traverse of the mountain: going up via the less popular Vacas valley, climbing up to camp 3, joining the normal route on the summit day and descending via the Horcones valley (normal route). All this as independent as possible, i.e. without guide and porters, only mules to bring and take our stuff to and from base camp.

Rather than giving a full report on the the whole expedition, I made a selection of pictures which give a good impression of all stages of our trip: from the very hot first few days in the Vacas valley, over the different high camps (colder and colder when you get higher), up to the cold and windy summit day!

In fact the summit day was too cold for me (for my feet)... Around 6500m I turned back because I was afraid to risk frostbite on my toes. Lio and Sara continued and made it to the summit!!

Looking back at the whole expedition, I must admit that the two weeks on the mountain were for sure not the most inspiring weeks of my trip... the life on the mountain -carrying food and gear up to the next camp and coming back to sleep at the lower camp, hence making all movements on the mountain twice- was too monotonous and somehow boring for me. Joking around with my two companions and playing some games couldn't really change my mindset. Of course all in all the whole expedition was a great experience, but it also showed me that this type of mountaineering is probably not something for me.

   Hiking up the Vacas Valley: 3 days walking in order to reach base camp Plaza Argentina.

   The best diner of our two-weeks trip: asado (BBQ) prepared by the mule drivers!

   4 o'clock snack: cake and tea (Lio forgot a proper cup, hence the improvised one)...

   Sara crossing the river on a mule...

   While Lio and me do it the real way ;-). (Cerro Aconcagua and Ameghino in the background)

   A free 'mud-bath' for the feet! Who says you cannot have luxury treats on a Aconcagua trip?!?

   Leaving the Vacas Valley and hiking up the Relinchos Valley towards base camp Plaza Argentina.

   Lio heading straight for Aconcagua!

   Base camp Plaza Argentina (4200m): a little village on the mountain.

   Unexpected heavy snowfall in camp 1 (5000m): luckily I have a bombproof expedition tent!

   Playing some Rummikub to kill the time... brain training at altitude :-)

   Moving from camp 1 to camp 2... everybody still in a good mood!

   The winding 'road' to camp 2.

   Arrival at Guanaco camp -our camp 2 (5500m)-, which is here obviously called camp 3... The names and numbering of the different camps on Aconcagua is one big mess and depending on which map you have, you might find this camp or not!

   Gorgeous sunset in Guanaco camp...

   Moving up to Cholera camp -camp 3 (6000m)...

   Carrying up the heavy bag packs to 6000m is quite a job!

   Fantastic setting of Cholera camp - camp 3 (6000m)!

   View from Cholera camp...

   31st of January... last day of the good-weather-window and day of our summit bid... Sara and Lio reaching the 6300m mark.

   Despite being cold and tired it was very easy to enjoy this wonderful sunrise on summit day!

   Trying to rest and warm up a bit at 'Refugio' Independencia (6400m). Unfortunately my feet don't get really warm anymore and soon after -on the Cresta del Viento- I decide to turn back. Lio and Sara continue all the way to the summit!!

   The day after summit day we do the traverse of the mountain: bringing up the stuff we left behind in camp 2 (5500m) to camp 3 (6000m) and doing the long descent (1700m) on scree to Plaza de Mulas -the base camp at the other side of the mountain. In the picture the little dots at the bottom of the valley are the tents from base camp.

   Happy happy happy to arrive in Plaza de Mulas (4300m).

   Plaza de Mulas offers (almost) everything a mountaineer needs after two weeks on the mountain: beer, palm trees and... an art gallery!