My name is John and I’m very excited and this upcoming trip to climb Aconcagua in January 2020. Aconcagua is a 22,841 ft peak in Argentina: the highest in South America. This will be the hardest mountain I have ever climbed.
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Here's some current information during the climb:
Itinerary
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- January 13: Arrive in Mendoza, Argentina. Climbers should arrive on a morning flight. After checking into your hotel, we will have a mandatory climb orientation
session, group dynamics, leadership, and Leave No Trace discussions, and an equipment check. This will be followed by a group dinner in one of Mendoza's many fine
restaurants and lodging at Park Hyatt or similar.
- January 14: After completing the permit process in the morning, we board our private bus to the town of Penitentes (8,940 ft.) We generally stop for lunch in the
town of Ushpallata (where the movie “Seven Years in Tibet” was filmed). After we arrive in Penitentes, we organize our mule loads and have dinner in the
lodge-style hotel.
- January 15: PENITENTES / CONFLUENCIA (10,826 ft.) We travel to the entrance of the park in a private van. Here we register with the Park and you will start
trekking to Confluencia Camp, with mules carrying the equipment. At arrival, you will set up your tent with your partner and be able to rest.
- January 16: CONFLUENCIA / PLAZA FRANCIA (13,123 ft.) / CONFLUENCIA Trek to Plaza Francia, the base of the south face of Mt. Aconcagua. Here we enjoy a
delicious lunch and a spectacular view, then return to Confluencia. This trek is part of the acclimatization process and fundamental in our expedition.
- January 17: CONFLUENCIA / PLAZA DE MULAS (13,976 ft.) The trek to Plaza de Mulas Base Camp lasts around eight hours. We will stay in our own Base Camp with t
he necessary commodities for you to be as comfortable as possible.
- January 18: PLAZA DE MULAS Rest day. You will make a short trek in Plaza de Mulas area to contemplate the beauty of the mountain. Conditions may require
crampons on this part of the trek.
- January 19: PLAZA DE MULAS / MT. BONETE (16,732 ft.) / PLAZA DE MULAS Acclimatization trek to Mt. Bonete summit and return to Plaza de Mulas. This climb will take
about six hours and we will reach near 17,000 ft. in altitude.
- January 20: PLAZA DE MULAS / CAMP I CANADÁ (16,108 ft.) / PLAZA DE MULAS Acclimatization trek to Camp I, or “Canada Camp.” We travel to Canada Camp, have lunch,
then return to Base Camp. As we are returning to Camp the same day climbers will be asked to carry about 20lbs. of group gear to the camp (climbers will also have
about 10lbs of personal gear.)
- January 21: PLAZA DE MULAS Rest and acclimatization day. Rest day in preparation for next day’s move to higher altitude
- January 22: PLAZA DE MULAS / CAMP I CANADÁ After a 3-4 hour trek, we reach Camp I, “Canada.” On this day, each climber will be responsible for carrying personal
equipment only. Group gear will be carried by our porter staff. Once at Canada, the group will enjoy lunch after tents and camp is set.
- January 23: CAMP I CANADÁ / CAMP II NIDO DE CÓNDORES (17,244 ft.) Four hour climb to Camp II, “Nido de Cóndores.” Porters will carry the group gear.
- January 24: NIDO DE CÓNDORES Rest and acclimatization day at “Nido de Cóndores.”
- January 25: CAMP II NIDO DE CÓNDORES / CAMP III CÓLERA (19,685 ft.) Move to Camp II, “Cólera,” which will be our high camp. This will be a short hike,
but a very demanding climb that will take around three to four hours. Porters will carry the group gear.
- January 26: CAMP III CÓLERA / SUMMIT (22,841 ft.) / CAMP III CÓLERA. Climb from Cólera to the summit and return to Camp III. The group will get up very early
in the morning, have breakfast, and start climbing with plans to reach Aconcagua summit.
- January 27: CAMP III CÓLERA / PLAZA DE MULAS After a long descent, we will reach Plaza de Mulas Base Camp. Once in Plaza de Mulas, the group will have the
day to rest.
- January 28: PLAZA DE MULAS / PUENTE DEL INCA Descend to Puente del Inca for the last trek in the expedition. Overnight in Penitentes. The group’s belongings
will be carried by mules.
- January 29: PUENTE DEL INCA to Mendoza You will transfer to Mendoza and have assistance with hotel and check in.
- January 30 – 31: Extra days for rest and inclement weather
- February 1: Depart Mendoza
God has blessed me with such a great opportunity to help such a worthy cause while embarking on an exciting adventure.
While the climb up Aconcagua will be exhilarating, but the joy of helping to repair water wells will have far greater rewards.
In 2018, I had the privilege of seeing first hand, the great work being done by Child Legacy
in Malawi . We spent four days repairing wells.
The appreciation of the people in these villages is something I will never forget.
The cost of going to Argentina and attempting this climb will totally be on me.
However, in addition, I have a goal of raising $10,000 dollars through Clean Water Climb
for Child Legacy.
For more information, click here
Will you join me on this exciting adventure? Your prayers and support are much appreciated.
You can help me reach my goal of $10,000 here
