Aconcagua - Highly Supported Vacas Valley Route

Leader: Martin Barnett. 4th January 2014 departure.
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20th January: I would like to congratulate the entire team as everybody gained a new personal best height record at Approx. 6500m but due to inclement weather none of our team made the summit of Aconcagua this time.

We had about a meter of snow at the Canaleta (Approx 6700m) over the past few days. The team were several hundred meters past Independencia hut but decided to turn around after deciding that the avalanche risk was just too high.

Even though we didn’t get to the top, we all learned a lot on this expedition. This included topics such as eating properly, high altitude awareness, avalanche risks and how to deal and live with snow conditions in the mountains. Aconcagua is wonderful when she is calm but completely different when the weather is wild.

200 others, and ourselves pushed our summit attempt a day early trying to beat the weather as we are expecting 100k winds again tomorrow.

16th January: Martin has called in with an update from Camp 3. The team are enjoying a rest day today. Everyone is in great shape with a few slight headaches from the altitude but are all feeling strong and looking forwards to the next few days.

There have been beautiful sunrises over the last few days which for the early risers allowed them to capture some fantastic shots. Also, it has been interesting living and camping on Aconcagua with unusual snow levels but the forecast for the next few days are good so they hope to make their summit bid on the 18th after heading up to Camp Cholera tomorrow.

14th January: Hi, this is Carl Roland at Aconcagua Base Camp preparing to leave for Camp 1 tomorrow morning. Today we have been sorting through our kits and making sure the weight of the kit is correct.

The weather is very good, nice and sunny, the food is great and Martin our guide is making us fully prepared for the next few days and finally the summit attempt next week. He has offered me some great advice for this and future trips.

I would finally like to thank Sophie my girlfriend who wrote me a letter to be opened at each camp which has given me amazing motivation. Not only that she packed a chocolate bar to be eating each day whilst walking and extra for the whole team who have loved it.

I would also like to send my love to my daughter Alisha age 9 in Liverpool. So i love you both Alisha and Sophie and will see you both very soon. Hugs and kisses

13th January: We are all well here and relaxing at base camp. We have enjoyed our rest day sorting out our food for higher up the mountain and we are looking forward to heading out tomorrow to do a carry up to Camp 1. We are thinking of everybody at home but are excited to get started.

8th January: Today we have practiced setting up the tents, sorted out all our food and equipment and we are now ready to head out on our first trekking day towards Aconcagua Base Camp. Everybody is excited and looking forward to a great experience.

7th January: We have had a good day today getting to know each other and to sort our permits for Aconcagua.

6th January: I have now met up with with the full team on the Vacas Valley and Highly Supported trip. Here we are enjoying our first meal together in the warm temperatures of Mendoza talking about our Aconcagua adventure ahead.

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