Aconcagua Expedition 6th Jan 18

Aconcagua Expedition

Departed 6th January 2018

Expedition Leader: Dave Pritt

22nd January

Heavy snowfall overnight made for tough conditions on the walk up to Camp Colera, but the team decided to continue up for their summit bid yesterday. Richard and Damian reached the summit, with others deciding to turn back at Independencia Hut. Congratulations to all the team on achieving new altitude personal bests. All the team are now down at base camp at Plaza de Mulas and will walk back out to the road head tomorrow.

18th January

The team have made a carry up to Camp 3 Guanacos, and will move up there tomorrow. They then plan to move up to Camp Colera on Saturday, and based on the current weather forecast the plan is to make a summit bid on Sunday.

15th January

Dave called today to update us, the team are going well and made a carry up to Camp 1 yesterday, in advance of moving up today. It was a rather wild night last night, with a lot of wind and snow, but it’s burning off now so hopefully will be steady going up to Camp 1 this morning.

12th January

The team are enjoying the excellent food and sorting provisions at Base Camp today, making sure food, tents and gas are all in place for moving up the mountain. Base Camp at Plaza Argentinas (4200m) sits in a broad hanging valley. The campsite is in the moraine that provides a convenient windbreak and good views of the route ahead. Tomorrow they plan to leave at 7:30am local time to make their first carry to Camp 1 (4900m). Hopefully leaving a bit earlier will allow them to avoid the heat they encountered at base camp today, 36 C!

10th January

Yesterday the team made the short drive to Punta de Vacas to begin their trek to Base Camp. Mules carry all of the gear so you can enjoy the walk without heavy loads. The walk on the first day is reasonably easy, and although very hot and dusty and takes you through green desert valley scenery enclosed between the steep mountains of the Andes. Trekking up the west side of the Rio de las Vacas to your camp at Pampa de Lenas (2800m) is approximately 5 to 6 hours.

Today they will cross the river and head up to their next camp at Casa de Piedra.

8th January

Dave has called this afternoon to say that they are all packed, shopping complete and permits organised, so they are ready for the next phase which is heading up to Penitentes to begin the trek in to Base Camp.

6th January

The team are all set at London Heathrow and will shortly depart for Argentina.