2011 / 2012 season : http://www.aconcaguatrek.com/aconcagua- ... sos_in.asp

Thanks Gert! A very informative site!!

Checking around on the mulemarket for Plaza Argentina. Can anyone recommend a good mule service provider? I have so far found rates around USD300 one-way.

Hi Andre,

In Feb 2010 I used Grajales, but for the normal route. They have an office in town, in the main city centre, and we just went in there and organised the mules no problem. Then it was less than $300 but I can't remember how much, sorry. We also booked and paid for one night at Confluencia on the walk in, so we didn't have to carry much stuff. The dinner and breakfast there was quite good, but at BC and above we did our own cooking so not sure what they were like higher up. The mules take around 60kg I think, so it's much better value if you can share one, as you don't need 60kg all for yourself - 25-30kg should be plenty.

Thanks D,
I read about Grajales and now when you confirm them I'll probably use them. We'll be two persons so one mule/60kg will be just fine! In case you used a mule on descent, did you arrange it on location at BC or did you book it in advance? I guess muleteers will not be too hard to find around the BC's or not? Cheers.

A,
Yes, definitely used mules for the walk out. I have done it previously carrying all my own gear and walking in plastic boots but that was really unpleasant! I'm pretty sure we arranged it in advance - not sure they can take money at BC? They have a system of using tags which works pretty well. I think I showed my receipt to the people at BC and they tagged the bags, gave me the stub and I matched them up back at Puenta del Inca. There would be arrieros at BC but they operate quite independently so it's not easy to arrange things with them. Last time, we packed our two duffels at BC, put them by the BC tent with tags on them, and left around 8am. Sometime after that the mules picked them up - around 930-1000 - and we saw our bags trot past us about half-way out.

Campo Base also has an office in town, along the main pedestrian mall (Sarmiento?) but they no longer do individual unguided logistics, only their own guided groups. I had used them in 2005, they were OK, not great. Grajales is better. I can't find the address for the Grajales office, but it's in one of the streets running perpendicular to the main pedestrian mall. It looks like quite a big travel agency type place from the outside, for tours etc, but they just took us to a desk up the back for the mules.

Hi D,
Excellent info!
So better book my mule-service-round-trip-ticket in Mendoza then!

Hi guys
Im heading there on january 5 - 2012 and Im looking for a partner
partner-needed-for-aconcagua-january-2012-t60185.html

Anyone interested in joining ?

+2 for Grajales

Can't comment on the walk out though. We took the heli !

leaving for acon in 48 hours!! a little nervous, a lot excited.

Looks like I am going to have a crack at the False polish. Arrive Mendoza February 2nd.

http://www.fieldtouringalpine.com/programs/expeditions/aconcagua-false-polish-climb