In this expedition we will visit the most popular places for mountaneering of Argentina: El Cordón del Plata with its more than 10 summits over the 5.000 m. We will try the ascent at Mount Vallecitos, with 5.470 m.
This experience makes you the protagonist of an expedition to one of the most famous mountains in Argentina, visiting and enjoying the heart of the Cordillera de los Andes and its particular wild surroundings.
Meeting Point: Mendoza Airport.
Day 1 – Mendoza City – Parque Cordón del Plata
From our accommodation, we will have transportation to Parque Cordón del Plata, known as Vallecitos. We will stay in mountain refuges at 2.900 m. Acclimatization trekking near the refuge.
Day 2 – Mountain Refuge – Veguitas Superior Camp (3.460 m.)
We will build the camp in Veguitas Superior. We will trek to the site, carrying equipment for 2 hours and a half. Camp setting and acclimatization.
Day 3 – Camp Veguitas Superior – Camp El Salto (4.200 m.)
We will begin our walk going passing by Camp Piedra Grande, and then the path will lead us up to Morena de los Escombros. Then we will have to overcome the challenge of “El Infiernillo” the hardest stretch of this section. We will arrive at El Salto Camp, normally used as a base for thousands of mountaineers. From there we will be able to see the whole valley of Potrerillos.
Camp setting and acclimatization.
Time: approximately 6 hours of trekking.
Day 4 – Acclimatization and rest
Depending on individual conditions, and the excursionists’ physical and physiological state, we will trek, gear carrying, to La Hoyada (4700 m.) where we will take equipment and food for our camp before summit.
Day 5 – El Salto – La Hoyada (4650 m.)
After breakfast, we will dismantle our camp to begin our trekking to La Hoyada where we will set up the camp to have a sleep before the summit.
Day 6 – Summit Day – Mount Vallecitos (5.470 m.)
Before sunset we will leave La Hoyada Camp passing by El Portezuelo Plata – Lomas Amarillas, Portezuelo Cerro Vallecitos – Cerro Plata, before the summit of Mount Vallecitos.
Day of great panoramic views: Aconcagua. We will also see the mythical Quebrada de la Jaula.
Back to the camp and sleep.
Day 7 – La Hoyada – Refuge (2900 m.)
This day we will dismantle our camp and go down to the refuges where we will have dinner and sleep.
Day 8 – Parque Cordón del Plata – Mendoza (2725 m.)
In the morning, we will go to Mendoza. Transportation to Mendoza.End of our services.
Pants
1 pair of pants suitable for walking. We recommend trekking pants.
1 pair of winter / insulated base layers to be worn under the trekking pants.
1 pair of mountaineering waterproof pants.
Sweatshirt
2 We recommend polar fleece due to its benefits.
Socks
2 pairs of mountaineering socks.
1 pair of thin base layer socks.
1 pairs of regular socks.
T-shirts
1 insulated base layers T-shirts.
3 t-shirts for walking. We recommend synthetic fibers.
1 cotton t-shirt to be worn in the afternoons and evenings when we are out of activities.
Coats
1 waterproof jacket.
1 windbreaker (it can be the waterproof jacket).
1 warm -20 C. degree duvet jacket.
Shoes
1 pair of trekking shoes.
1 pair of double boots or mountaineering boots that enable the use of crampons.
We recommend a light pair of shoes to let feet rest such as Crocs® or similar.
Accessories for sun and cold protection
1 woolen hat or one made of synthetic fibers.
1 pair of base layers gloves.
1 pair of winter waterproof gloves.
1 pair of -20 C. degree mittens.
1 fleece neck gaiter
1 hat o cap.
70-litre or over backpack
A backpack that can contain all the personal equipment, clothing and some group equipment: tent parts, water heater, gas and food.
Trekking walking sticks
Snow goggles
UV protection
Category 4
Sunscreen
Sunscreen SPF 50
Lip sunscreen
Sunglasses
UV protection sunglasses
Category 4
Special Medications
All personal medications.
Sleeping bag and insulated mattress.
-30 C degree sleeping bag
Any insulated mattress
Water Bottle
3-liter water bottle/s
Frontal Flashlight
With new batteries and a spare pack.
Crampons
Roll tapes, automatic or semi-automatic
Gaiters
Insulated mountaineering gaiters.
NYLON Bags
NYLON bags to keep clothes dry in case of rain.
Meals: all the meals from lunch at Day 1 to lunch at Day 8.
Special dietary needs (vegetarians, celiacs, etc.) please inform the organizers in advance.
Trekking food: all trekking food: dried fruits, cereal bars, chocolate, etc.
Accommodation: 2 nights at mountain refuges in Cordón del Plata. Mountain camps in shared mountain tents.
Guides from MONS – Actividades de Montaña. Professional Guides – registered by the Province of Mendoza and Parque Provincial Aconcagua, with specific qualification in First Response in wild areas.
VHF Communication equipment
First-aid Kit
Transfers: Mendoza City – Parque Cordón del Plata – Mendoza City
Counseling in equipment.
Personal and Group equipment carriage to El Salto. Personal Equipment: 10 Kg.
Insurance: Personal accidents. Civil Responsibility.
Camp logistics. Tents and cooking equipment.
Unspecified extra meals or drinks.
Accommodation before and after the expedition is borne by the excursionists. It is strongly advised booking in advance.
Transfer to Mendoza.
Individual equipment and clothing.
Insurance for rescue and evacuation.
Occasional expenses due to eventual abandonment of the program.
The trip can be cancelled by the company due to causes beyond the organizers’ control: when the safety cannot be guaranteed due to weather conditions or other reasons; o because the minimum number of participants could not be reached. The tripper can choose between a new date of departure or full refund.
Tourism in wild areas has characteristics that make it stand out of conventional tourism. Logistics is particular due to its complexity and the proposals depend on factors that may alter its normal development. That is why the entire schedule may vary even though the whole trip has been carefully planned.
The guides who are in charge of the activity may modify totally or partially the itinerary when they consider that one or more participants’ physical or psychological integrity is at risk or due to weather conditions or security reasons.
The guides firstly guarantee the participants’ safety and are present during the whole trip.
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