SummitPost.org

ACONCAGUA 2008 EXPEDITION

After responding to emails from many climbers I'm considering putting together another expedition to Aconcagua in December 2008 similar to my 2006/2007 expedition. The expedition would provide all the necessary logostics inside Argentina (transportation, hotels, mules, base camp services, etc.) for climbing partners or soloists who feel capable of ascending the mountain un-guided and on their own climbing schedules but who lack the time or information needed to organize their own climb. The expedition schedule will be designed so climbers would use a minimum number of vacation days to complete the climb, six in 2008 and six in 2009, while providing up to four summit days.

If you are interested please feel free to email me for more information.

Please note: This expedition is designed for climbing partners to join as a team or solo climbers wishing to attempt the mountain on their own, not for individual climbers looking to join a group. If you are an individual climber you must find a partner in order to join or plan to climb in true solo style with no support from other expedition members.

Dates: Arrive in Mendoza on December 20, 2008 and fly out January 10, 2009
Routes: Polish Glacier, Polish Direct or False Polish Traverse
Minimum: 6 climbers

Final cost as of June 8, 2008 in US$:

$1,250 each (based on 6 climbers)
$1,175 each (based on 7 climbers)
$1,100 each (based on 8 climbers)

PS. Elves, if you consider this a commercial post please feel free to nuke it. Although I've been on this mountain before my friend and I will be attempting the Polish Direct route and this expedition allows me to go back to Mendoza with my wife's permission!

...

Wow, this schedule is about as good as it gets for me. I can't commit this far ahead, however, if there are spots opened when I'm ready, I'll definitely sign up.

I was part of Brad's '06/'07 expedition and can give the highest recommendation. I saved a bunch of money by getting group discounts on the transportation and the mule/basecamp services, and yet had total freedom to climb solo after the basecamp. Was very happy with the logistics set up by Brad.

Thanks for the vote of confidence Muddeer. You seemed to enjoy the mountain and when we left high camp I didn't think you were going to come down ever again.

Scott, we'd love to have you and you wife along.

Divnamite, I'm not looking for a committment at this time. Just wanted to get it out there so people had a chance to plan and schedule vacations.

If anyone wants an information package shoot me an email at admin@adventureclimbing.ca. The first package includes an itinerary, transporation info, hotel info, gear list, clothing list for the walk in and a day-by-day description of what to expect with photos.

I am interested. E-mail sent for info.

hmmm..sounds very interesting...bookmarked for future reference.

I too am interested, sent e-mail for info.

We worked out the baby sitting thing, so Kimberly and I are in for sure.

Sounds like a great way to spend the holidays! Just sent an email request for the info. Thanks!

Sounds great. I'll be sending out an information package early this week to all that have expressed an interest so far. It will be first come, first served but I can't have too big of a group. On the last expedition I had 10 climbers in total and the logistics started getting difficult to handle by myself.

One minor suggestion:

We're in either way, but I would like to make one minor suggestion that it may be better to start one week earlier (Dec 13-Jan 3). Both dates would work for us though and we're in either way.

I only make the suggestion for two reasons:

1. Either start date would still take advantage of the holidays and require the same amount of vaction days. High season for both permits and airfares begins December 15. Starting one week earlier will save $100 per per person for the permit and typically 10-15% on airfare.

2. The mountain, mules, hotels, etc. will be slightly less crowded by starting one week earlier.

Just a minor suggestion on my part, but your choice.

Interested in details. Sent an email specified in your profile.

Hi Scott, good suggestion but I'm burning up most of my vacation time climbing Denali in a couple of months. Sorry but I wouldn't have enough vacation time left to leave a week earlier.

Interested too!
I sent an email, Thanks!