Cicerone Guides: Trekking & Mountaineering Aconcagua and the Southern Andes Horcones and Vacas Valley Ascent Routes

About this book

The definitive guidebook to climbing Aconcagua in South America. At 6962 m, Aconcagua is the highest peak outside the Himalayas and is accessible to both trekkers and mountaineers. The book covers two popular trekking routes: the Normal (Horcones Valley) route and the Vacas Valley (Polish Glacier) route. It also includes trekking routes up Tupungato, the Maipo Volcano, and other acclimatisation treks, with suggestions for things to see and do around Mendoza and Santiago City.

Cicerone Guides: Trekking & Mountaineering Aconcagua and the Southern Andes provides a wealth of practical and indispensable information for those taking on the challenge of Aconcagua. There is information on travel to South America and to the start of the trek, and essential know-how on preparing for high-altitude mountaineering, including advice on equipment, coping with altitude, and strategies for acclimatisation. It gives expert advice on permits, food and water, hiring guides and mules, and staying healthy.

With maps and colour photos and supplemented by background information on the mountain, its history, geology, wildlife and local culture, this is a comprehensive and must-read guide for anyone considering tackling Aconcagua.

Contents

Index of maps and illustrations
Map key
Map of South America
Area maps in this guide
Aconcagua – Normal and Vacas Valley Routes
Routes to the summit
Summary of camps
Summary comparison of Normal and Vacas Valley Routes
Table of co-ordinates and elevations
Foreword by Sebastian Tetilla
Preface
A note on the third edition

Introduction
The mountain in context
Two trekking routes
Location
Geology
Topography
Maps and co-ordinates
Wildlife
History
Climbing history
Trekker/climber profiles
Weather
When to go
Getting there
Preparations
Acclimatisation
Guides and trekking companies

Part 1 The ascent of Aconcagua
Mendoza to Puente del Inca
Mendoza
The road to Puente del Inca
Aconcagua routes
The Normal Route
The Vacas Valley Route
Summit day
The long walk out
Other routes

Part 2 Acclimatisation near Aconcagua, Vallecitos and the Maipo Volcano
Treks in the Aconcagua area
Puente del Inca and Los Penitentes
A walk to the Statue of Cristo Redentor
Horcones Valley to Plaza Francia
Routes at Vallecitos
Vallecitos Ski and Mountain Lodge
Lomas Blancas (3850 m)
Cerro Vallecitos (5770 m)
The Maipo Volcano

Part 3 The Tupungato area
Tupungato
The Andes’ Great Mountain
Tupungato routes
Tupungato via Chile and Rio Colorado
Tupungato Provincial Park
Wilderness Trek to Friar’s Col

Part 4 The Santiago area
Santiago
Santiago City
In and around Santiago
Routes near Santiago
El Morado Valley
La Campana National Park
El Plomo (5430 m)
Provincia and San Roman

Appendix A    Maps, guidebooks and further reading
Appendix B    Checklist of essential gear
Appendix C    Guides and mountain services
Appendix D    Accommodation and local facilities
Appendix E    South American cuisine
Appendix F    Wine tasting in Argentina and Chile
Appendix G    Spanish–English language notes

Customer Reviews

Biography

Jim Ryan is a chartered civil engineer with a passion for the outdoors, who has had several successful guidebooks and one work of fiction published. He has a particular interest in geology and a love of mountains. Aconcagua made a significant impression on him on his first journey there, with an expedition in 1999, and he returned on two further expeditions.