Expedition Intro
Although we offer a variety of expedition options, our main guided teams will climb the mountain via a new variation on the False Polish route that CTSS Owner Mike Hamill helped develop. This route approaches the mountain through the Vacas and Relinchos Valleys and ties in higher on the mountain with the old upper Guanacos route. From here it uses one more camp then the typical False Polish climb. This route is less crowded and cleaner then the normal routes and we feel it is the best option on the mountain. Our climb finishes with a traverse and descent to Plaza de Mulas base camp. We chose this route as it offers a more direct descent from high camp and a shorter trek off the mountain. This expedition will be organized and led by Mike Hamill, Owner of Climbing the Seven Summits. Mike has personally guided nearly 30 Aconcagua expeditions, 10 Mt. Everest expeditions, 23 X 8,000m expeditions, has 6 Everest summits, currently holds the record for most non-Sherpa summits of Cho Oyu, and has written the guide book to “Climbing the Seven Summits,” making him one of the most experienced guide on the mountain. Well over 150 summits have been notched on Aconcagua under Mike’s direct leadership. Climbing the Seven Summits expeditions are meticulously organized with the best logistics. Climbing the Seven Summits is committed to providing the highest quality Aconcagua expedition. You can be assured that it will be both challenging and fun, a true once in a lifetime experience. Rest assured that our professional priorities are first and foremost “Safety” and “Success” which we achieve by outfitting our teams with the best logistics and the most capable, qualified and seasoned guides in the world. While this is a challenging peak, our Aconcagua program is designed to see you succeed. Expedition leader Mike has utilized his extensive knowledge and experience with over 30 expeditions on the mountain to achieve a 93% client success rate.
Fast Facts
- Aconcagua is the tallest mountain in the world outside of the Himalayas.
- Aconcagua was first climbed in 1896-97 a team under the leadership of Edward FitzGerald.
- Aconcagua lies in Argentina just east of the border between Argentina and Chile.
- The “Normal Route” ascends the western side of the mountain.
- Aconcagua is an ideal training climb for anyone considering attempting an 8000m peak. It is one of the safest and least technical high altitude peaks despite its massive height, making it a great way to determine how your body does at extreme altitude in this unique part of the world.
What's Included and Not Included in Your Expedition
Included:
- Guides: Professional Mountain Guides
- Mule Service: Reliable, professional mule support from the best local outfitters.
- Hotels: One night lodging in Mendoza, one night lodging at Penitentes, our jumping off point for Aconcagua, and one night lodging in Mendoza upon our return.
- Transportation: All group transportation while on the expedition. If you depart early then the added expenses for transport, lodging, rescue, and evacuation is your own responsibility.
- Food: All expedition (on Mountain) food is covered including breakfast, dinner, snacks and hot drinks, and breakfast at the Penitentes Hotel. Lunch and in town/Penitentes restaurant meals are your own expense.
- All Group Gear: Four season tents, cooking gear, group duffels, stoves, etc.
- 1st Aid Equip
- Satellite Phone: To update the blog and available to clientele at $3/min
Welcome to “Climbing the Seven Summits” Aconcagua Expedition! Climbing the Seven Summits is committed to providing the highest quality Aconcagua expedition. You can be assured that it will be both challenging and fun, a true once in a lifetime experience. Our professional priorities are first and foremost “Safety” and “Success” which we achieve by outfitting our teams with the best logistics and the most capable, qualified and seasoned guides in the world. Best regards, Mike Hamill Owner and Lead Guide, Climbing the Seven Summits
Aconcagua Team Expedition Climb Schedule: Upper Vacas Valley and Traverse
This itinerary is only a rough estimate and will be determined by weather and acclimatization.
This is adventure travel meaning things rarely go as planned and this schedule will likely change. Climbers need to be adaptable and positive.
We always recommend climbers arrive in Mendoza one day early to avoid travel delays or issues with lost baggage.
Added expenses (hotel/food/sightseeing) of this extra day are the clients responsibility.
Please let us know if you want us to arrange logistics for early arrivals or for a single rooming option.
- Fly from home
- Meet in Mendoza
- Gear checks, Team meeting, Team dinner
- Permits and travel to Penitentes
- Mule assisted day hike to first camp
- Mule assisted day hike to second camp
- Mule assisted hike to Base Camp at Plaza Argentina
- Rest and acclimatization day at Base camp
- Load carry to Camp 1 and return to B.C.
- Move to Camp 1 with gear
- Carry to Camp 2 and return to Camp 1
- Move to Camp 2 with gear
- Carry to Camp 3 and return to Camp 2
- Optional rest day
- Move to Camp 3
- 1st potential summit day
- Contingency summit day
- Contingency summit day
- Descend to Base Camp at Plaza de Mulas, making the traverse
- Trek out from base camp to Peneitentes and drive to Mendoza, arrive late
- Fly Home/Most climbers spend a day in Mendoza to relax, celebrate, and get together for dinner as a team
- Fly home
- Arrive home
- Guides: Professional Mountain Guides
- Mule Service: Reliable, professional mule support from the best local outfitters.
- Hotels: One or Two (depending on your program) nights lodging in Mendoza on arrival, one night lodging at Penitentes and one night lodging in Mendoza upon our return. (Accommodation on unused contingency days are your responsibility)
- Transportation: All group transportation while on the expedition. If you depart early then the added expenses for transport, lodging, rescue, and evacuation is your own responsibility.
- Food: All expedition (on Mountain) food is covered including breakfast, dinner, snacks and hot drinks, and breakfast at the Penitentes Hotel. Lunch and in town/Penitentes restaurant meals are your own expense.
- All Group Gear: Four season tents, cooking gear, group duffels, stoves, etc.
- 1st Aid Equip
- Satellite Phone: To update the blog and available to clientele at $3/min
- Guides: Professional Mountain Guides
- Mule Service: Reliable, professional mule support from the best local outfitters.
- Hotels: One or Two (depending on your program) nights lodging in Mendoza on arrival, one night lodging at Penitentes and one night lodging in Mendoza upon our return. (Accommodation on unused contingency days are your responsibility)
- Transportation: All group transportation while on the expedition. If you depart early then the added expenses for transport, lodging, rescue, and evacuation is your own responsibility.
- Food: All expedition (on Mountain) food is covered including breakfast, dinner, snacks and hot drinks, and breakfast at the Penitentes Hotel. Lunch and in town/Penitentes restaurant meals are your own expense.
- All Group Gear: Four season tents, cooking gear, group duffels, stoves, etc.
- 1st Aid Equip
- Satellite Phone: To update the blog and available to clientele at $3/min
Climbing the Seven Summits is without a doubt the best company in the industry. I just completed my 6th trip with them to the summit of Aconcagua. They have a commitment safety and hiring world class guides, I wouldn't trust any other company. Thank you
Our guides had 35+ years of experience between them. Our lead guide had sumitted Aconcagua 38 times (his 39th time was with us). Everyone on the mountain knew him and he knew everything about the mountain. We never once felt unsafe, underserved or in-the-dark. Highly recommend the Aconcagua experience with CTSS.
So i just came back from Aconcagua with CTSS, and they made sure to take all the hassle away from our team to make sure we could focus on the climb. It's only when i got there that i started to realize how big of logistics this was. It's not just having our group, and then they give guides, and off we go ! It way more than that.. Everything went flawlessly (from our perspective at least, i'm sure the guides had to jump thru hoops to make it look simple for us) but from the Hotel, the bus schedules, the mules, the INCREDIBLE food we had on the mountain, the organizing with AMG.. we could tell we were dealing with a professional company, because we could see there was so much going on behind the scenes, and yet everything went flawlessly, we never missed anything, and the guides were on top of it all, 100% of the time ! Looking forward to my next trip with CTSS !
I climbed with CTSS's team under the leadership of Josh in Feb 2020. From the start CTSS was a cut above. Better hotel accommodations, excellent logistics and a smooth, organized program. CTSS managed the climb very thoroughly from start to finish and had solid solutions for when weather didn't quite go our way. Taking the 360 route wasn't my first choice, but after completing it I agree, it's definitely better than climbing through the Normal route! Much more scenic and better climbing too. All that and the coffee was great every morning, I can't recommend it enough!
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