Aconcagua - Vacas Valley Route - 4 January departure

4th January 2013. Aconcagua is the second highest mountain of the Seven Summits and we provide the option to tackle it by the Vacas Route for walkers or the Polish Glacier route for climbers. Leader: Dean Beard

23rd January: We have a brief update due to Sat phone problems with the group. 4 clients, Dean and a guide summited 3 days a go (Sunday). Today they are coming from BC to Casa de Piedra and tomorrow will be in Penitentes and then go direct to Mendoza.

18th January: Dean has just called to update us. They are all well with good weather and the forecast remaining good until after Sunday. The plan is to now go onto the Col and tomorrow traverse around to Camp Colera then hopefully go for the Summit on Sunday. Fingers crossed for Dean and the Team!

17th January: We have just had an update from Dean on the last couple of days progress. Everyone is well and the weather has been good with just light snow and low winds. Yesterday the group did a carry up the Col and stayed for a night with today as a rest day. Tomorrow they will head up to Camp 3 (Camp Colera) and make a Summit attempt the day after that. .

11th January: Dean called today to say that the group arrived in Base Camp yesterday and despite starting to feel the effects of the altitude when they arrived, are feeling much perkier today. There was a little snow on the way in, but on the whole the weather has been sunny with light winds and very few clouds. The group are starting to gel, and all have had their health checks with the Base Camp Doctor and passed with flying colours. Tomorrow they will do a carry to Camp 1, which will be the first test for the group at altitude , so everyone is looking forwards to this challenge.

8th January: The group have just set off on the first day of the trek towards the mountain. All are in good spirits. The weather is clear and sunny, so a nice start to the trip. We wish them the best of luck!

7th January: The group have arrived safe and well and have enjoyed a day relaxing in Mendoza. The supermarket shop to get food for the trip has been completed and now they will finalise the paperwork and permit formalities before driving to Penitentes.