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Brian Kalet - Feb 24, 2009 10:55 am - Hasn't voted
Re: BackpackThanks.
My pack is still in great shape.
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9830 Hits
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13 Votes
Page Type:
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Trip Report |
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Date Climbed/Hiked:
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Feb 13, 2009 |
Activities:
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Hiking, Mountaineering, Scrambling |
Season:
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Summer |
Stats
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Itinerary
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Total Distance: 75.6 miles
Total Elevation Gain: 23,290’
Days 1-2
I traveled from Grand Junction, CO to Mendoza via four flights. The highlight of the trip to Mendoza was visiting a friend during a layover in Miami. I was picked up and given a ride to get my permit, then drove up to Los Puquios where they offer free camping. I met Willy, a German mountain guide who was also attempting Aconcagua solo. We we were planning on starting the trek up to basecamp the following morning.Los Penitentes Ski Area
Day 3
Willy and I hiked up left our gear to be carried up by the mules and were driven to Punta de Vacas to begin the hike up to Pampa de Leñas. The hike was rather easy and the weather was great. I was surprised to see no one else at the first camp along the approach to basecamp. Soon after, people started trickling in.Vacas Valley
Lizard in the Vacas Valley
Mules in the Vacas Valley
Vacas Valley
Vacas Valley
Mule with my pack at Pampa de Leñas. Mules were blindfolded to prevent them from wandering off.d
Mule with my rolling duffle at Pampa de Leñas
Vacas Valley
Day 4
We started out the next morning in good weather, but near the end of the hike to the second camp along the approach to basecamp, the winds picked up and a large amount of dust was being blown down the valley.Me on the bridge over the Vacas River
Waterfall above the Vacas Valey
Looking down the Vacas Valley
Willy hiking up the Vacas Valley
Willy taking a break in the Vacas Valley
Looking down the Vacas Valley
High winds and a lot of dust just below Casa de Piedra
More dust
Looking down the valley at the dust
The Vacas Valley
Looking down the Vacas Valley
Casa de Piedra
Cerro Aconcagua
Casa de Piedra
Looking up the Vacas Valley from Casa de Piedra
Looking northeast from Casa de Piedra
Day 5
The next morning we started out early and crossed the Vacas River barefoot since I forgot to bring sandals. My feet were in terrible pain from the cold by the time I got across. The hike up the Relinchos Valley was very pretty and soon we were at basecamp.Willy hiking up the Relinchos Valley
Looking up the Relinchos Valley
Willy hiking up the Relinchos Valley
Cerro Ameghino
Cerro Aconcagua and Cerro Ameghino
Mules heading up the Relinchos Valley
Cerro Aconcagua and Cerro Ameghino above the
Relichos River
The Relinchos Valley
Cerro Aconcagua and Cerro Ameghino
Cerro Ibañez
Cerro Rico
Cerro Colorado
Helicopter above basecamp and Cerro Ameghino in the distance. The helicopter was picking up a climber strucken with altitude illness.
Day 6
I carried up to Camp I. It was interesting to see the Relinchos Glacier that was covered almost completely in dirt and rock.Penintentes en route to Camp I
More Penitentes
The dirt and rock covered Relinchos Glacier
The dirt and rock covered Relinchos Glacier
Plaza Argentina
Day 7
After speaking with some guides from Aymara earlier, I decided to climb Cerro Aconcagua. I saw some people heading up in the distance and tried to catch them. I managed to reach the summit just minutes after they arrived. The climb was primarily up a faint trail, then a class 3+ summit block. The views were great.Cerro Aconcagua
Cerro Aconcagua
Plaza Argentina from Cerro Colorado
Climbing the summit block of Cerro Colorado
Cerro Rico from Cerro Colorado
Plaza Argentina and Cerro Ameghino
El Castillo
Day 8
I moved up to Camp I. I spent a long time making my tent windproof. I was able to filter water here despite all the stories I heard about silt clogging filters.My tent at Camp I before extensive fortification
The water source at Camp I
Camp I
Day 9
RestCamp I
Day 10
I carried up to Camp I. This was the first time I really felt the altitude; I was breathing heavily and had a headache.Camp I
Looking northeast en route to Camp II
Looking northeast en route to Camp II (zoom)
Day 11
RestCerro Ameghino
Day 12
I moved up to Camp II. Sertting up my tent was a great effort.Cerro Aconcagua from Camp II
Day 13
I walked up to about 20,000' to help acclimatize. The views were fantastic.Camp II from the Polish Traverse
Day 14
RestLooking northeast from the Polish Traverse
Day 15
I began hiking towards the summit and made it to Independencia Hut very quickly, but then began moving very slowly. I did not know if I was going to make the summit until I was about 30 feet from it. The views of the south summit were the highlight.Independencia Hut, the highest refuge in the world
Looking northeast from Windy Crest
The southern summit from Guanaco Ridge
The southern summit from the northern summit
Day 16
I hiked down to Plaza Argentina. Carrying all of my gear from Camp I to basecamp was the worst part.Day 17
I hiked all the way out to Punta de Vacas, the stayed at the Hosteria Puenta del Inca. It was nice to shower and sleep on a mattress.Hosteria Puenta del Inca
Puenta del Inca
Puente del Inca
Cementary from mountaineers
Los Puquios
Puenta del Inca
Puente del Inca
Plaza in Mendoza
Plaza in Mendoza
Hotel Petit
Cerro de la Gloria Monument
View west from Cerro de la Gloria
View north from Cerro de la Gloria
View east from Cerro de la Gloria
Parrot at the zoo
Strange animal at the zoo
Cerro de la Gloria from the Road
Plaza Independencia
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