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SOLO EXPEDITION to ACONCAGUA
By:Apartments, Bed and Breakfast, Guesthouse in the heart of Buenos Aires Giorgio's House Buenos Aires
SOMETHING ABOUT ACONCAGUA (The Highest Mountain of Americas)
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GPS SUMMIT: S32 39 11.1 W70 00 43.0
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Normal;Cerro Aconcagua 6,962 m (22,841 ft) is the highest mountain in the Americas, and the highest mountain outside Asia. It is located in the Andes mountain range, in the Argentine province of Mendoza.
Aconcagua is bounded by the Valle de las Vacas to the north and east and the Valle de los Horcones Inferior to the West and South
The summit is located about 5 kilometres from San Juan Province and 15 kilometres from the international border with Chile.
The mountain was created by the subduction of the Nazca Plate beneath the South American plate during the geologically recent Andean orogeny;
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CLIMBING: Normal Route
To enter Aconcagua Provincial Park, it is necessary to obtain a personal permit from Cuba building, Mendoza city (Las Tipas and Los Robles Avenue, General San Martín Park)The cost of the Climbing Permit 2009 is: High Season 1.500 pesos - Medium Season 1.000 pesos. By signing this permit, the person releases the Administration of Renewable Natural Resources (governmental institution in charge of the administration of Aconcagua Park) and the Government of Mendoza from all responsibility for the accidents that could occur to the climber inside the park and accepts the regulations in the Statute of Use of the Park.
Inside the park you will find, * Puente del Inca, 2,740m (8,990ft): A small village on the main road, with facilities including a lodge. * Confluencia, 3,380m (11,090ft): A camp site a few hours into the national park. * Plaza de Mulas, 4,370m (14,340ft): Base camp, claimed to be the second largest in the world (after Everest). There are several meal tents, showers and internet access. There is a lodge 500 metres from the main campsite. * Plaza Canadá, 5,050 metres (16,570 ft): A large ledge overlooking Plaza de Mulas. * Plaza Alaska, 5,200 metres (17,060 ft): Called 'change of slope' in Spanish, a small site as the slope from Plaza de Mulas to Nido de Cóndores lessens. Not commonly used. * Nido de Cóndores, 5,400 metres (17,720 ft): A large plateau with beautiful views. There is usually a park ranger camped here. * Berlín, 5,900m (19,360ft): The usual high camp. Windy and exposed, and quite filthy. Many climbers avoid it, and stay slightly higher at Piedras Blancas. It is common to spend at least one night in Confluencia while trekking to base camp in order to acclimatise properly. Summit attempts are usually made from a high camp at either Nido de Cóndores or Berlín. Although Berlín is closer to the summit, many climbers find that they rest better at Nido and are able to make up for the lost time. Some well-acclimatised climbers also pitch their high camp even further up the mountain, at Piedras Blancas (~6,000m) or near Independencia (~6350m).
Aconcagua is technically an easy mountain if approached from the north, via the normal route. Although the effects of altitude are severe (atmospheric pressure is 40% of sea-level at the summit), the use of supplemental oxygen is not required
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Giorgio's House sponsors the Adventure
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Sponsored by:
EQUIPMENT
FEET:
SOCKS:- 3 pair outer socks, thick wool or polypropylene - 3 pair inner socks, thin silk or plypropylene - 1 pair Vapor Barrier Liner (VBL) socks, (optional) - 2 pair cotton socks (for approach) Plastic or leather DOUBLE mountaineering boots (ask us about new leather double boots models such as La Sportiva Nuptse, the Vasque Ice 9000 or the Salomon Pro Thermic)Personally I am going to use: La Sportiva Spantik - Lightweight hiking boots or sturdy tennis shoes Booties, down or polarguardGaitors Neoprene booties with sole, for river crossings. Lightweight ok. sandals or old pair of tennis are good as well
UPPER BODY:
Lightweight polypropylene or capilene turtleneck - 2Expedition weight polypropylene or capilene shirt - 1Fleece jacket
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LOWER BODY:
Polypropylene or nylon briefs or underpants - 3 pair (optional)
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HANDS:
Mittens, thick fleece, down or thick wool - 1 pair Gloves, polypropylene or capilene - 1 pair Insulated finger gloves - 1 pair Goretex wind shells for mittens- 1 pair
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HEAD:
Ski hat, wool or fleece Balaclava, wool, polypropylene or capilene - to cover neck, chin & face Baseball cap
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SLEEPING GEAR:
Down or polarguard sleeping bag comfortable to -20F 1 foam pad or 1 thermarest pad (full length recommended) - Sleeping Bag: I am going to use the Ferrino Hl Simply (-30C° extreme temp) + an extra sleeping bag
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PACK:
Pack with 5,500 - 6000 cubic inches capacity Large day pack for approach Extra Large strong duffel bag (at least 7000 cubic inches) w/strong zipper and a lock, large enough for pack to fit in, for mules to carry and for storeage of gear. Extra large stuff sack for gear storage in camp . Personally I am going to use the Lowe Alpine: Cerro Torre 80 L
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TECHNICAL EQUIPEMENT:
Ice axe 70 cm. approx. Standing with your arm relaxed at your side, the ice axe should reach from the palm of your hand to the ground. For Polish Glacier Route it can be 5-10 cm shorter.
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PERSONAL:
Head lamp and extra batteries Sun glasses two pair (one as a spare) Ski goggles Sun screen lotion SPF 29 - 1 large or 2 small tubes Sun screen lip protection 1 stick Skin moisturizer 3 oz. Mole skin, bandaids, tape, throat lozenges Pocket knife Plastic bowl, large cup (insulated), spoon 2 water bottles -1 quart capacity wide mouth (nalgene recommended) w/ water bottle insulator Toothbrush and toothpaste Toilet paper - 1 or 2 rolls Antibiotics 1 cycle broad spectrum Aspirin or Ibuprofen - 30 Disposable lighter Stuff sacks 2-3, assorted sizes (one extra large to store contents of pack on summit day) Iodine pills - 2 new small bottles (for water purification) $100 US dollars in small bills ($1 s, $5 s, & $10 s) for meals, drinks, etc. in Penitentes
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