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Aconcagua Ameghino Valley Upper Guanacos Traverse with porters
It is presently the BEST route on Aconcagua. This route is cleaner and less climbed than the overcrowded and popular Aconcagua Normal Route It has a higher success rate allowing more time for acclimatization. The Aconcagua Ameghino route is non-technical, and porters are readily available, if needed, at Base Camp for carries to the higher camps, and for the descent.
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Aconcagua Polish Glacier via Ameghino Valley with traverse
The steeper Polish Glacier Direct Route has been the choice route in recent years. Although steeper, it is safer and easier due to fewer icy and exposed traverses than on the old Polish Route. On this spectacular, steep snow and ice climb we will use several running belays.
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Aconcagua Normal Route with porters
Although our Ameghino and Upper Guanacos Valley Route, to date, remains the most pristine route on the mountain, we have received many requests for a shorter route on Aconcagua, with the option of porter assist. To satisfy these requests we have designed a new alternative of ascending the Normal Route of Aconcagua.
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Guanacos Valley Traverse
Our Guanacos Valley Traverse Route is a relatively untouched approach to Aconcagua, with calculated elevation gain between camps, allowing for more efficient acclimatization than other routes. Acclimatization is the key element to summiting the highest peak in the Western Hemisphere. Our excellent success rate has been improved by climbing Aconcagua via the Guanacos Valley. Our Guanacos Valley Route was named by Aventuras Patagonicas, for the large guanaco herds encountered in this valley
Aconcagua
Located in the heart of the Argentine-Chilean Central Andes, rising to 22'834 feet, is the, making it also the highest peak in the Western hemisphere. This phenomenal mountain, with its impressive rock and ice faces, suits its native Inca name well: "Ackon Cahuac" or "Stone Sentinel". Our approach involves 40 kilometers / 25 miles of colorful, spectacular, high desert scenery. We will have muleteers, or "arrieros" transport our gear to our 14,000-foot Base Camp.
We are constantly surrounded by 21,000-foot peaks, providing us with a formidable view of the Central Andes. We will climb in traditional expedition style using multiple camps en route. This approach allows us adequate time to acclimatize to the low oxygen environment, and to wait out stormy weather if necessary. Our goal is to get everyone safely to the top! We have offered four, now we offer three different routes on Aconcagua: our pristine Guanacos Valley Traverse Route that is presently closed, our New Ameghino Valley / Upper Guanacos Traverse Route, and our Polish Glacier Route - a classic technical glacier climb, and our Normal Route with porters.
Our Guanacos Valley Traverse Route and our Ameghino Valley / Upper Guanacos Traverse Route are not technically difficult, although high altitude, cold temperatures, and strong winds make this climb very challenging. Participants must be in excellent physical condition, able to carry a heavy pack, and have basic mountaineering skills. Participants on the Polish Glacier Expedition must have previous high altitude and technical climbing experience, since this beautiful route offers steep snow and ice climbing at extreme altitude
