Aconcagua - Vacas Valley Route

14th December 2013 departure. Leader: Martin Barnett
View full Aconcagua details and book online

3rd January: All is well back in Mendoza. We are regaining our strength back with some fantastic steak and a few beers. We are heading off on a wine tour this afternoon to finish the trip off in style.

2nd January: Message from Martin. We are now back at Penitentes after enjoying our last leg on Aconcagua. It looks like we just made it off the mountain in time as the rangers told everybody that they must be down from Camp Colera as they expected winds up to 150 kph for a couple of days. (The worst winds of the season) We are glad to have had a great time on the mountain with lots of fun and laughs.

2nd January: Message from Martin. Congratulations to Adam for reaching the summit of Aconcagua 6962m. I would also like to congratulate Ron, Steve and Donal reaching a new personal best height

• Ron 5970m – Camp Colera
• Steve 6500ish – Indepencia hut
• Donal 6700ish – The Canaletta

Everybody has done extremely well considering the crazy 75kph plus continual winds we have been experiencing. It really does make for difficult but exciting living. We are now heading down to BC so we can enjoy New Year’s Eve at Plaza de Mulas.

29th December: Martin has called in to say the team are moving up from Camp 3 to Camp Colera today and will make an attempt to reach the summit tomorrow. The weather is clear, but the winds are still strong (60-70km/hr on the summit) with no sign of them abating for the next few days. Is is also very cold (minus 16 on the summit) so anyone who had spent money on good warm gear will appreciate it!

The whole team are together, and all still on for a summit bid.

Unfortunately Martin reports that one member of an American team died on the way to the summit earlier. Adventure Peaks and all our clients on the mountain wish to express their deepest sympathy to the the climber’s family.

27th December: Martin has called in to say the team enjoyed a good Christmas Day with a few extra treats followed by a move up to Camp 3 yesterday.

The whole team are together at Camp 3 now at 5400m and enjoying a rest day keeping out of the winds. They are all eating well and feeling strong. Winds look to be building over the next few days but they will do another carry up tomorrow and hope to make a Summit bid on Monday

22nd December: Everybody is well and the weather and views are amazing. We had a great rest day at base camp yesterday and we are just about to head off on our first carry to camp 1. The food here is pleantyful and wonderfull and we are all having a fantastic time.

17th December: Everybody is well here after a busy day in Mendoza. We started the day with a great breakfast followed by a briefing and a gear check. We then went over to get our permits followed by a huge all you can eat lunch. We went food shopping followed by a relaxing evening in a restaurant.