Aconcagua – Camp and Location Elevations

The following list of waypoints and elevations is based on a variation of the False Polish route and the old Guanacos Route.    This route is a traverse which combines some of the camps from the False Polish Route, Guanacos Route, and the descent is completed via the Normal route through Plaza de Mulas.  This route although longer than the Normal route allows your to make a loop through the park seeing more variety in terrain by not descending down the same route that was ascended.

Location Elevation (ft) Elevation (m)
Los Penitentes                            8,465                            2,580
Punta Del Vacas                            7,894                            2,406
CAMP – Refugio Pampa de Lenas                            9,711                            2,960
CAMP – Casa de Pierda                          10,646                            3,245
CAMP – Campo Base Plaza Argentina                          13,714                            4,180
CAMP 1 – Polacos                          15,443                            4,707
CAMP 2 – Old Guanacos Camp III                          17,388                            5,300
HIGH CAMP – Piedras Blancas/ Campamento Colera                          19,587                            5,970
SUMMIT – Cerro Aconcagua                          22,828                            6,958
HIGH CAMP – Piedras Blancas/ Campamento Colera                          19,587                            5,970
CAMP – Plaza de Mulas                          14,337                            4,370
Destecamento Guardaparque Horcones                            9,777                            2,980
Los Penitentes                            8,465                            2,580

Aconcagua – Sample Itinerary

The following is the itinerary that I followed on my trip to Aconcagua.   We were fortunate enough to have good weather and did not have to add on any days due top poor weather on the summit.  There should be a few contingency days added to the trip in the event that poor weather is encountered.

Day Date
1 1/31/2010 Departure Flight
2 2/1/2010 Arrive in Mendoza Argentina – Day to organize gear in Mendoza and get your Permit
3 2/2/2010 Drive to Los Penitentes
4 2/3/2010 Drive to Punta del Vacas and begin approach trek – Camp Refugio Pampa de Lenas
5 2/4/2010 Continue Approach Trek in stay at Camp – Casa de Pedro
6 2/5/2010 Wake up early to cross the River de las Vacas in sandles (the coldest my feet have ever been). Reach Base Camp at Plaza Argentina
7 2/6/2010 Rest Day at Base Camp
8 2/7/2010 Carry to Camp 1 – Polacos
9 2/8/2010 Move to Camp1 – Polacos
10 2/9/2010 Carry to Camp 2 -Old Guanacos Camp III
11 2/10/2010 Move to Camp 2 -Old Guanacos Camp III
12 2/11/2010 Carry to Camp III/High Camp – Piedras Blancas/ Campamento Colera
13 2/12/2010 Rest Day and Acclimatization at Camp II
14 2/13/2010 Move to Camp III/High Camp – Piedras Blancas/ Campamento Colera
15 2/14/2010 Summit Day (Stay at High Camp after summiting)
16 2/15/2010 Descend to Plaza de Mulas
17 2/16/2010 Trek out from Plaza de Mulas to Destecamento Guardaparque Horcones     then drive to Los Penitentes
18 2/17/2010 Drive from Los Penitentes to Mendoza and enjoy Argentinian steaks and wine!

 

Summit Date – February 14, 2010