This mountain is located in Cordon del Plata. As San Bernardo, it's a very good mountain to be used for climatization purpose as many others in the area. The normal route starts at SE of the mountain and goes up rounding the ridge until arriving to the snow field called "canchita de futbol". Then at SW is the summit, not very easy to find. Very nice view from the summit. To the South, Franke and Lomas Amarillas. To SW Plata and Vallecitos. To the W Rincon. At N and not so far from there Stepanek. All camps ( Veguitas, Piedra Grande and El Salto) also visible from here.

Getting There

From Mendoza taking the international route to Chile there is an exit marked to Centro de esqui Vallecitos at right. Arriving the area there are many shelters and a couple of hostels to stay.
This aditional information was taken from San Bernardo description. I found it very good.

Mendoza is the main city in the area and there are plenty of companies which offer you a tour or expedition to Cordon del Plata. Some only to the vantage points around the ski station, some all the way to the summits of the highest peaks in the area. The tour companies, the climbing shops or even most youth hostels can help you arrange a journey to Cordon del Plata. If you want to arrange it all by yourself, the easiest and cheapest way is to take a normal bus to the little settlement Potrerillos which is an hour away from Mendoza. This is a town where the last minute provisions can be bought. It’s fairly easy to hitchhike to Vallecitos Ski Centre, which is at 2980m and 28 steep km from Potrerillos. There are several settlements before the ski centre, most of them only a few houses. There is an excellent restaurant and hostel 6km before hitting the ski station and it’s a very popular stop for starved climbers on the way down from the mountain adventures. You can leave excess gear in the ski station for a small fee. There is a shop where you can buy some gear and clothing and a little restaurant is the last house you pass when you start your walk towards the mountains. Cross the river on your left and follow the foot-paths until you arrive at some wide, green fields, crossed by small rivers

Red Tape

No. There are no permits or fees needed.

When To Climb

Tipically the region is very visited from November t oMarch. But, the region is also very good for winter or other season ascents. A good point to consider is the amount of snow. If there is no much some areas can be a little bit hard due the great amount of loose stone, that makes the ascent umcomfortable.

Camping

There are many shelters and a couple of hostels in the sky center area (32 58.484S 69 21.506W - 2800mts). Going up there are two places to camp. One called Las Veguitas (32 58.561S 69 22.201W 3150 mts). Very nice place and plenty of water. It's approximately at 3100 mts. Going up there is other place called Piedra Grande ( 32 58.146S 69 23.271W - 3500 mts). From both of them the mountain can be climbed. Also from Ski Center.

Area Map

As a compliment to previous information I'm adding this map of Cordon del Plata area. Main ridges are marked in black. Main peaks with a flag. In blue there is a river that goes through Campo Grande and Las Veguitas. And main routes are also marked in colors. This map covers mostly of the area, but not all. The area of Nevero peak at S of Plata is not included. And some peaks ( Blanco, Salto) at N of Agustin Alvares and Santa Helena are also not showed.

Images



[ View Gallery - 4 More Images ]