Adventure on Cerro Aconcagua (and Potluck)

In many cases Covid was a time of missed opportunities and rescheduled adventures. Such was the case for Kevin Willey and Tom Chapel with respect to their planned 2021 trip to climb Cerro Aconcagua. With the National Park closed and world travel largely shut down, their trip was cancelled. Last summer Kevin and Tom decided 2024 would be the year to revive the adventure! They were able to recruit Steve Dielman to join them, and the three of them formulated plans with Aconcagua Mountain Guides (AMG) for an expedition.

At 22,841 ft (6962m), Aconcagua is the highest mountain in the Americas, the highest peak in the world outside of Asia, and one of the famed “Seven Summits.” Aconcagua is situated in northern Argentina on the border with Chile. There are two primary “non-technical” routes: the “Normal Route” up the mountain’s south and west flanks, and the Polish Glacier Traverse Route, aka “the 360 Polish Traverse” route. They opted for the Polish Traverse route, which ascends from the south, traverses northeastward around the base of the Polish Glacier, winds upward around the east and north flanks, then achieves the summit via the west side. The route down follows the Normal Route, completing a rough circumnavigation of the peak in the process.

They plan to spend up to 20 days on the mountain. Most of their gear will be carried by mules as they hike from the Park entrance to a base camp at about 13,123 feet (4,000m). From there the climb begins in earnest! They’ll carry personal gear and share team gear, doing double carries and acclimating as they move up the mountain. On summit day they’ll hike from a high camp at 19,685 feet (6,000m) to the summit at 22,841 feet (6,962m), then back to high camp. The following days include a quick descent to the western base camp, the west Park entrance and a return to Mendoza.

Save the date for this exciting evening.