CLIMBING ACONCAGUA WILL BE AN EXPERIENCE THAT WILL HELP YOU CLIMB HARDER MOUNTAINS IN THE FUTURE

 

The Aconcagua ascent by the Normal Route is very popular. It takes between seventeen and twenty days, although there are shorter programs of 12 days. Due to the altitude (6,961 m), acclimatization is essential in the itinerary. These ranges of days include two extra days in case of bad weather, so you still have the chance of reaching the summit besides bad weather conditions. The Normal route consists of the ascent entering through the Horcones valley. The first approach camp is Confluencia, and then there is the Plaza de Mulas Base Camp. The alternative Polish Route has a similar difficulty to the Normal Route, and no presents technical challenges. It is not confused with the Polish Glacier Route, which involves reaching the summit via the Polish Glacier, which requires a glacier experience traverse. Another common option for climbing Aconcagua is the 360 ° route, which combines the Polish routes and the normal route. You enter through the Valle de Vacas and have your base camp in Plaza Argentina. In the end, the descent is the same as in the Normal route, that is, towards the base camp of Plaza de Mulas. Other much more difficult and challenging routes require rock and ice climbing experiences, such as the direct route, a top goal only suitable for too advanced and pro mountaineers.

The key to doing an-Aconcagua trekking is perseverance and mental strength. Climbing Mount Aconcagua does not need technical or climbing knowledge (at least not on the busiest routes), so that perhaps makes people believe that it is something simple to achieve. The climate is arid, which forces you to be continuously hydrating, and although it may not seem like it, it can be quite tiring drinking 5 liters of water per day. The physical part is fundamental; this is no secret. But I also want to emphasize the mental aspect since Aconcagua has sections where you will indeed feel discouraged. For example, on the way from Confluencia to Plaza de Mulas, there are two moments when your mental strength will be tested. The first one is Playa Ancha, and it is a sea of ​​stones where you cannot see any trace of campsites, neither looking forward nor looking back. It is quite challenging since after walking several hours in one direction and feeling that you are not moving forward, it can discourage you if you are not strong in mind. The other quite tricky passage, at least for me, was the Cuesta Brava; it is a very steep climb, complicated at times. It is located after Playa Ancha, and after walking for approximately 5 hours, what is discouraging is that once you finish climbing the brave hill, there is no Base Camp, but you must continue walking for a few more hours. Why do I clarify this for you? Unconsciously after climbing a hill like this, it is normal for one to believe that in the end, the place you are looking for will be; in this case, it is not like that.