ACONCAGUAMount Aconcagua (22,841ft) is located entirely in the province of Mendoza, in western Argentina. Aconcagua is one of the highest peaks in the world and the very highest outside Asia.
The first climber to successfully reach the summit was Mathías Zurbriggen of Switzerland. He reached the highest point on Aconcagua on 14 January 1897, following the northwest trail (Normal Route), which has since become the most popular path to Aconcagua’s zenith.
Over the years, the number of expeditions arriving at Aconcagua Provincial Park, eager to face the challenge of height, strong winds and extreme temperatures, have increased steadily, making it one of the most popular destinations among mountain climbers the world over. Aconcagua is part of the "seven summits" circuit. 
According to some international expert mountaineers that have climbed the Himalayas, the almost 23,000 feet of Aconcagua represent an even greater physiological distance. This phenomenon is due to several factors. The Himalayas, for instance, have vegetation up to 16,400 feet, while in the Central Andes Mountain range the vegetation reaches only to 11,500 / 13,000 feet. The relative ambient humidity is very low and the atmosphere of the Earth is thinner in this region of the globe. All of this makes Aconcagua a terrain appropriate to test and prepare for later expeditions to mountains higher than 8,000 meters.
The East Ridge, (the Polish Glacier), the South West Ridge, as well as the Western Face, all present an opportunity for visitors to demonstrate their ability. The North West Slope of the mountain, where the normal route lies permits the rapid ascension of heights without technical difficulties.
Confront Aconcagua only under the direction of guides. Climbers attempting to climb Aconcagua must properly equipped and in excellent physical condition.
With regard to the Southern Face, it is a desolate and severe area, with poor quality rocks, constant dangers of avalanches of seracs and snow, falling rocks, great unevenness, significant altitude, the threat of brusque climactic changes, plus true and complete isolation. All these are the factors that give it its savage condition
From the technical point of view, Aconcagua presents all types of difficulties on rock, ice and snow. And he who confronts the ascent should have a good climbing technique, excellent physical fitness, considerable experience, and most importantly, a lot of enthusiasm and perseverance.
MENDOZAThe City of Mendoza was founded on 2 March 1561 by the Spanish Don Pedro del Castillo in an area originally inhabited by the Huarpe Indians.
Three centuries later, in 1861, an earthquake completely destroyed the colonial town. Those who survived the earthquake rebuilt a city destined to become one of the most important metropolitan areas in the country.
Mendoza is located in western Argentina, some 690 miles (1,100 kilometers) west of Buenos Aires and at 2,500ft (760 meters) above sea level. It has a population of one million and it is home to numerous industries among them wineries, food processing companies, oil refineries and manufacturers of industrial machinery. Tourism is also an important economic activity in Mendoza.
Climate: The province has a semi-arid climate. The mountain range on the west of Mendoza works as a natural barrier to humid winds blowing in from the Pacific.
Local Time Mendoza (as well as the rest of Argentina): is located 4 time zones west of the Greenwich meridian.
Getting to Mendoza: Mendoza's airport also offers excellent connections to international flights from Buenos Aires, Cordoba and Santiago de Chile. | The city is an important hub for land transportation. The city's bus station has several daily services to all Argentinean provinces, as well as to Chile.
Language: Argentina's official language is Spanish. English is spoken at most travel agencies, hotels and tourist information offices.
Power Supply: 220 volts, 50 hertz. NECESSARY EQUIPMENTHeadwear: 1 sun hat (it must shade the eyes and nose). 1 balaclava (wool, polypropylene). 1 wool or fleece hat. 1 pair glacier glasses with side protection (and a spare). 1 neck gaiter.
Upper - Lower body: 1 expedition down parka with hood (-20 F). 1 windproof outer jacket with hood (Gore-tex) 1 poly/fleece jacket.
1 expedition weight polypropylene shirt. 2 lightweight, long sleeve polypropylene shirts. 2 heavy polypropylene long underwear (tops and bottoms). 2 t-shirts for lower elevations. 1 pair wind/rain pants (with side zips). 1 pair fleece pants (side zipper). 1 long cotton pant for trekking (legs zip off to become shorts). 1 nylon shorts
Handwear: 2 pairs liner gloves (poly thin). 1 pair medium weight fleece gloves. 1 pair goretex wind shells for mittens. 1 pair wool or fleece mittens. 1 pair overmitts.
Footwear: 1 pair of trekking boots or quality sport shoes. 1 pair of sandals for river crossing. Double plastic climbing boots.
1 pair of gaiters. 2-3 pair of wool socks and polypropylene socks. 3-4 pairs polypropylene, wool or similar socks.
Sleeping Gear: 1 down or synthetic sleeping bag (-20C min.). 1 light sleeping pad, Thermarest type.
Pack: High quality back pack approx. 70-80 liters. Day pack for approach hike and summit day. 1 Large duffel bag with lock to be carried by mules to Base Camp. 1 smaller duffel bag with lock to store gear in Mendoza or Puente del Inca.
Climbing Equipment: 1 ice axe (60-70cm). 1 pair adjustable ski poles. 1 pair of crampons.
Misc: Sun screen and lip protection (UV rating of 20 SPF or more). Headlamp with 3 alkaline battery sets. Metal thermos bottle, 400-500ml. Toiletry kit. Water bottle. Camera and film. Pocket knife (mid size). Book and walkman to spend time in tent. Simple first aid kit. Pee bottle - 1 qt. capacity, wide mouth. Insect repellant coating for hike in clothes. Passport. Cash. Copies of relevant documents (maps, directions, itinerary, etc... all in plastic bags). Journal with pens. Casual clothes for walking around, going to dinner. Small Spanish dictionary with travel phrases. List of critical information. The above gear list must be used as a guide only. AIRLINESThe usual way to Mendoza is by flying to either Buenos Aires (Argentina) or Santiago (Chile) and then a connecting flight or bus to Mendoza. From Buenos Aires there are 2 hours by plane or 13 hours by bus to Mendoza, while from Santiago 50min by plane or 6 hours by bus. WHEN TO CLIMB ACONCAGUAOfficially, the climbing season is between November 15th and March 15th of every year.
Our suggestion is to climb Mount Aconcagua between late November and late February. This is mainly because of two factors, first because of weather conditions. It is within this period when weather is warmer in the Austral Hemisphere and climate more stable on Aconcagua.
Secondly, because it is when there is availability of all necessary logistics to go ahead with the climbs (mules, base camps supplies, porters, etc).
Before and after, the lack of visitors might make highly probably that you find no logistics. Regarding weather, large snowfields, strong winds and major snowstorms are a possibility. 
| CLIMATEAconcagua generates its own weather. Between late Nov and late Feb there is a wide range of temperatures, from warm days to freezing nights; snow and winds (some strong) is the usual on Aconcagua. The humidity is extremely low.
Mount Aconcagua is some 160 kilometers from the Pacific Ocean (which it is possible to be seen from the summit in sunny days). Humid winds blowing from the sea generate most of the bad weather of Aconcagua.
Temperatures to be expected between early Dec and late Feb are around:
Base Camps of Plaza de Mulas and Plaza Argentina
Max. 10ºC / 15ºC (50ºF /69Fº)
Min. 0ºC / -5ºC (32ºF /23Fº)
Nido de Condores / Camp 1 (Polish Glacier Traverse)
Max. 5ºC / 10ºC (41ºF / 50ºF)
Min. -10ºC / -15ºC (14ºF / 5ºF)
Berlin / Camp 2 (Polish Glacier Traverse)
Max. 0ºC / 5ºC (32ºF / 41ºF)
Min. -20ºC / -25ºC (-4ºF / -13ºF)
During the winter in the Austral Hemisphere, most of the area is snow covered and is extremely windy. Major snow storms are quite frequent above 4,000m. PARK PERMITS
Permits are issued only at Direccion de Recursos Naturales Renovables, located on San Martin Av. (Mendoza City).
Office hours are: 8:00 am to 6:00 pm weekdays, and 9:00 am to 1:00 pm Saturdays and Sundays (on December 25th, and January 1st, this Office will be closed. Acquire your permit one day ahead).
Permits must be shown to Park Rangers based at the stations of Horcones (Normal Route) and Pampa de Lenas (Polish Glacier Traverse).
Please note that some years ago it was possible to obtain the permit at the trailhead, or even outfitters could do it in Mendoza in the name of their customers and send them to the trailhead. Be warmed this is not available any longer. Permits must be acquired in person as compulsory in Mendoza City only.
To obtain the permit it is necessary to complete an application with personal information and general details of the trip.
Types of permits are:
Climbing: valid for 20 days after entering the park.
Long Trekking: valid for 7 days after entering the park.
Short Trekking: valid for 3 days after entering the park.
There are 3 seasons, high, mid and low. Climbers under the age of 18 please consult about requirements to get the permits. 
ARRIVAL AND DEPARTURE DATES OF TRIPSWe expect that you arrive in Mendoza City the day one of the itinerary of your selected climbing package, or before but not after (please see "Standard Itineary" / "Extended Itinerary" FROM, of each expedition) and depart Mendoza the dates shown as "Extended and Standard TO" or after that date, not before.
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