Women’s Mountaineering Expedition to Aconcagua

Things to know

• What’s included?

  What you get on this adventure:

  • • An experienced English-speaking guide with extensive knowledge of the area
    • Twenty days of mountaineering
    • Accommodations in Mendoza and on the mountain (double occupancy)
    • Transport from Mendoza to the trailhead and back
    • All meals and drinks on the trail/mountain
    • Breakfasts in Mendoza
    • Mules (up to 20kg per person) to support the approach to base camp
    • Team gear including mountaineering tents, cooking gear, team medical kits, radio equipment,
    • GPS tracking & communication

  What’s not included:

  • • International transportation to Mendoza
    • Government climbing permit ($950, payable in USD on arrival)
    • Personal porter assistance on the upper mountain
    • Personal gear including mountain boots and sleeping bags
    • Personal snacks (bars/gels for on-trail and climbing sustenance)
    • Personal costs on the trail (beverages, souvenirs, battery charges, hot showers)
    • Lunches and dinners in Mendoza
    • Medical, travel, and rescue insurance (rescue insurance is mandatory)
    • Guide gratuities — optional
• How fit do I need to be?

  Aconcagua is an extremely demanding high-altitude mountaineering expedition. You have to be in outstanding cardio shape to tackle this 23,000ft mountain and enjoy the adventure. It may be suitable for first-time mountaineers as long as they possess a penchant for cold weather and suffering.

  Even though it is not difficult from a technical perspective (there is no extremely steep or glaciated terrain), Aconcagua’s ruggedness and fierce weather make it a real endurance challenge. Summiting Aconcagua via the 360 route involves long stretches of steep scree and – depending on the season – snowfield crossings, but no meaningful high angle climbing.

  Daily mileage on the 360 Route varies widely, ranging from 2 to 15 miles, with anywhere between 2,000 and 4,000ft of ascent.

• What if I'm new to mountaineering?

  No prior mountaineering experience is required but you must have some experience with backpacking. You must be in excellent physical condition. Previous high altitude experience (14,000ft+) is highly recommended but not mandatory. You have to be in outstanding cardio shape to tackle this 23,000ft mountain and enjoy the adventure.

• What do I need to bring?

  Here’s a list of the equipment you need to bring:

  • • Long-sleeve base layers
    • Breathable T-shirts
    • Fleece or softshell jacket
    • Extra down jacket for base camp
    • Lightweight down jacket
    • Hardshell jacket
    • Climbing helmet
    • Balaclava
    • Beany
    • Glacier glasses (regular sunglasses do not suffice)
    • Ski goggles
    • Thin gloves/liner gloves
    • High altitude mitts
    • Sleeping bag rated at least down to -30 degrees Fahrenheit
    • Sleeping bag liner
    • Foam and inflatable sleeping pads
    • Camp booties
    • Long underwear bottoms
    • Softshell pants
    • Hardshell pants
    • Down pants — optional (but highly recommended)
    • Underwear
    • Thick wool socks
    • Trekking socks
    • Approach shoes — light hiking boots or trail runners
    • Mountaineering double boots (can be rented)
    • Crampons lightweight with horizontal front points (can be rented)
    • Ice ax (can be rented)
    • Expedition backpack (between 55L and 75L)
    • Duffel bag — large & sturdy, for mule transport
    • Headlamp with spare batteries
    • Bowl, cup & spork
    • Swiss Army knife
    • Snacks (6,000 calories of your favorite climbing snacks)
    • Nalgene bottles — min. 2L capacity
    • Insulated (neoprene) bottle sleeves
    • 2-4 stuff sacks for organization
    • Repair tape
    • Trekking poles
    • Set of town clothes
    • Personal first aid kit & personal medicines
    • Sunscreen (SPF 50+)
    • Chapstick with SPF
    • Toiletries
    • Lightweight microfiber towel — optional
    • Several Ziplock bags
    • Paracord for repairs
    • Health and rescue insurance info
    • Solar charger and/or power packs — optional
    • Camera — optional
    • GPS watch — optional

  Select pieces of equipment are available to rent locally in Mendoza. This includes climbing gear such as double mountaineering boots, basecamp down jackets, ice axes, and crampons. Inquire with your guide about gear rental possibilities.

• How much weight will I have to carry?

  Your pack on the way to basecamp should be no heavier than 20lbs, thanks to mule support.  Above basecamp, you have to be prepared for 35-40lbs of weight during each leg of our ascent, and up to 65lbs of weight for the return to basecamp after our summit attempt.

  If you’d like to decrease the weight you have to carry above basecamp, it is possible to hire personal porters on the upper mountain.  20kgs / 44lbs of porter assistance from basecamp to camp 3 and back down to basecamp typically come out to $1,000.

• Group sizes and age requirements

  Group sizes and prices:

  • • For this group adventure, the max client-to-guide ratio is 6:1.
    • The cost does not decrease as the group grows.

  Mountaineering on the Aconcagua 360 route can be arranged for larger groups. Contact us to make arrangements.

  Min. age requirements:

  • • If you are older than 18, you’re good to go.
    • Minors younger than 18 may be permitted to join the tour on a case-by-case basis, but must be in the presence of a parent or legal guardian.

  If your group has mountaineers under the age of 18, contact us prior to booking to make arrangements.

• Can I book a private tour?

  Private trips are possible to arrange! Even if the displayed dates don’t work for you, please contact us—we’ll work with you to arrange a trip for you and your group (even co-ed is possible in this case).

• Getting there and meeting location

  To get to Mendoza, Argentina, the starting point of the tour, most people fly into Governor Francisco Gabrielli International Airport 5 miles northeast of the center of Mendoza. From there, you can take a cab to the Diplomatic hotel in Mendoza.

  Once you and your guide agree on the details of your itinerary, your guide will suggest the best place to meet, whether that’s at The Diplomatic hotel in Mendoza or a predetermined location. The guide will choose the appropriate terrain dependent on conditions and the ability of the group.

• Covid measures in Aconcagua, Argentina

  57hours is committed to providing safe outdoor adventure experiences. We require all guides using our platform to have a COVID-19 safety plan and to make the details of that plan accessible to travelers. In most cases, group sizes will be reduced, guides will avoid overcrowded locations, and other safety measures will be met depending on the location and activity.

  We also expect clients to respect local regulations and take measures to protect themselves, guides and the communities they’re travelling to. For more information on COVID-19 measures in Aconcagua, Argentina, please refer to the key information for travelers to Argentina.

  Please contact us if you have any questions or require further information. We are happy to provide you with the most up-to-date information!

• Deposits and cancellation policy

  Deposits

  You can secure one of the set dates with a 30% deposit upon booking. The remaining 70% of the trip price is to be paid 90 days prior to departure, at the latest.

  Secure your early bird spot with a 10% deposit! This tour gets sold out very quickly, but with early-bird booking, you will be the first one to know about any new upcoming dates. Pick your preferred dates without the risk of your bucket list adventure selling out!

  • Only 10% of the total amount should be paid as a deposit upon booking. This deposit is non-refundable, but can be transferred to another 57hours adventure anytime in case the dates don’t suit you.
  • Once the dates are set, you can confirm your booking by paying another 20% of the total amount.
  • The final balance is due 3 months (90 days) prior to departure.

  Cancellations

  Booking fees are non-refundable in all cases. During checkout, however, you can choose one of 57hours’ flexibility options:

  Basic

  • In case of cancellation within 48 hours after booking, the amount paid is fully refundable.
  • For cancellations 90 or more days before the trip, you are eligible for a 70% refund of the trip price.
  • For cancellations 0-89 days before the trip, there is no refund.

  Flexible

  • In case of cancellation within 48 hours after booking, the amount paid is fully refundable.
  • For cancellations 90 or more days before the trip, you are eligible for a full refund of the trip price.
  • For cancellations 60-89 days before the trip, you are eligible for a 50% refund of the trip price.
  • For cancellations 0-59 days before the trip, there is no refund.

  Super Flexible

  • In case of cancellation within 48 hours after booking, the amount paid is fully refundable.
  • For cancellations 60 or more days before the trip, you are eligible for a full refund of the trip price.
  • For cancellations 0-59 days before the trip, you are eligible for a 50% refund of the trip price.

  Though unlikely, an expedition may be canceled for any reason prior to departure. In that event, the deposit and expedition fees paid by the participants will be refunded.

  In the event of cancellation of a program and upon refund to participants of all program fee payments, the expedition organizer shall be released from any further liability to participants, including but not limited to liability for additional costs participants may have incurred, pre- departure expenses, non-refundable advance purchase air tickets, visa fees, equipment purchases and medical expenses.

  Participants agree that beginning on the first date of the program itinerary, there will be no refunds of program fees for any reason whatsoever. Expedition participants agree the cost of any search and rescue undertaken on their behalf will be their financial responsibility. Including costs incurred by the expedition leader, other expeditions, government, and/or other entities.