Aconcagua, 20 Day Guided Ascent/Medical Course

Join Juan, an IFMGA certified guide, on a 20 day ascent of the great Aconcagua in the Andes of Argentina, and also enjoy a thorough wilderness medical education course during the climb.

Group

20 Days

Jan

High

Intermediate

Description

Anytime you can climb a mountain like Aconcagua (6,962m), you don’t pass it up. The highest peak in the Americas is an absolutely incredible mountain. And the views you get from the various camps on the way to the summit, and especially from the summit itself are truly unforgettable. However, what makes this particular 20 day expedition so unique is during the climb, you will also be taking a 16 hour wilderness medical course.

The AMA/PRA category 1 CME course will cover a great deal of important topics, all of which are crucial to climbing safety. Those topics range from avalanche resuscitation and frostbite and other injuries to fracture and dislocation management and simulated mountain rescue. And what makes the course so valuable is you will be taking it on the mountain itself. Hence allowing you to learn in the very place the skills are utilized.

When it comes to the climb itself, because this trip lasts 20 days, the pace will be gradual. This will give you plenty of time to properly acclimatize, while also giving you lots of time to enjoy the gorgeous views. There will be several rest days during the climb, and stops in spots like the Canada camp and the Colera camp.

To participate in this trip it is important that you are in good physical condition. You should also have some prior climbing experience as well.

If you want to enjoy a fantastic climb, while also learning a great deal about mountaineering medical procedures, this trip is for you. To be a part of it, all you have to do is send me a request.

If you only want to do the climb of Aconcagua, you can also join me on this 20 day ascent along the peak’s northeast route.

Price includes

Accommodation included
Guiding fee
Breakfast
Lunch
Dinner
Transport during the trip
Porters

Price details

Along with the guiding fee, the price also includes 2 nights accommodation in Mendoza and Penitentes, 2 nights hosteria in Uspallata, 7 nights full board at Mulas, assistance in getting permits (but permit price is not included), meals, camping and cooking gear, base camp services, mules, porters, private ground transportation and 16 hours AMA/PRA category 1 CME credits. However, the price does not include plane tickets, park fees, personal equipment, insurance and any potential rescue costs. Also, it costs an additional 500 USD for additional nonphysician eilderness medical education (Wilderness Education Diploma from The Everest ER and AMG).

Itinerary

Day 1: Mendoza

After arriving, we will pick you up from the airport and take you to your hotel in Mendoza.

CME- 2 hours – Expedition medicine and Back country medical kits.

Day 2: Uspallata

We will get our permits and then drive to Uspallata. We will spend the night in a hotel.

CME – 2 hours – Advances in prevention and treatment of acute mountain sickness and assessing the unwell and returned traveler.

Day 3: Confluencia

After arriving at the entrance of the Aconcagua national park, we will enter the park and hike for 3 hours to the Confluencia camp.

CME – 2 hours – Avalanche resuscitation and Backcountry podiatry and general food care during an expedition.

Day 4: South face Lookout

Today we will hike for 3-4 hours so you can get a great view of Aconcagua before returning to the Confluencia camp for the night.

CME – 1 hour – Frost bite and other cold injuries.

Day 5: Plaza de Mulas

We will hike for 6-8 hours to the Plaza de Mulas base camp, where we will spend the night.

Day 6: Rest day at Plaza de Mulas

CME – 2 hours – Management of fractures and dislocations and lightening: prevention and injuries.

Day 7: Cerro Bonete

Today we will climb the Cerro Bonete. The whole trip should take 5-6 hours round trip. We will spend the night at Plaza de Mulas.

CME – 2 hours – Simulated mountain rescue and backcountry waterborne illnesses and water disinfection.

Day 8: Active rest day

CME – 2 hours – Pain management in remote areas and hypothermia: clothing selection for wilderness survival.

Day 9: Canada camp trip

Today we will climb for 3-4 hours to the Canada camp to drop off supplies before returning to base camp for the night.

CME – 1 hour – Case studies in Everest base camp and Aconcagua.

Day 10: Rest day

CME – 1 hour – Solar injuries.

Day 11: Canada Camp

We’ll make our way back up to Canada camp where we will spend the night.

Day 12: Nido de Condores

Today we will climb for 5-6 hours to camp at the Nido de Condores, where we will spend the night.

Day 13: Nido de Condores rest day

Day 14: Colera Camp

We will climb for 3-5 hours to the Colera camp, where we will spend the night.

Day 15: Aconcagua Summit (6,962m)

Today we will make our way early in the morning to the summit of Aconcagua before returning to the camp. The climb and descent should take approximately 10-13 hours.

Day 16: Extra day

Day 17: Plaza de Mulas

We will make our way back down to the Plaza de Mulas, where we will spend the night.

Day 18: Uspallata

Today we will trek back to the park entrance then make our way to our hotel in Uspallata, where we will spend the night.

Day 19: Mendoza

We will drive to Mendoza, where you will check into your hotel for the night.

Day 20: Departure home

We will transfer you to the airport, where you can catch your flight home.

Details

More info

Participants should bring the following items with them: climbing equipment, including crampons, ice axe, helmet, ropes, hiking boots or shoes, liner socks, gaiters, double boots, 3 pairs of expedition weight socks, soft and hard shell pants, trekking pants, soft shell hooded jacket, cotton t-shirts, warm hat, buff, sunglasses, gloves, large backpack, sun screen, lip balm, 1 thermos, 2 water bottles, and personal items.

Meeting point

Mendoza

About the guide

Juan

5.0

(1)

Mountain Guide

I´m based in Bariloche, Patagonia, where I guide full time, mostly technical custom trips with small groups.

I started guiding in 1998, and my job took me all around the globe. In Montana, USA, where I lived for many years I worked extensively in the Rockies, guiding in the Tetons, Wind Rivers, and the Beartooths. Back to Argentina, I spend most of my time ski guiding volcanoes, rock climbing at Frey and mountaineering in Chalten and Tronador.

The rest of time I work as a Technical director at the AAGM, forming new guides, and trying to be an exciting dad for my two kids, taking advantage of the great backyard we have at home!

Languages

English

Certificates

AAGM

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What people are saying about Explore-Share

Man

Climbing with guide Guillaume was absolutely a highlight of my 2-week Europe vacation. Originally, we were planning on climbing in the Calanques, but the park was closed due to wind and fire danger. Guillaume chose another amazing location (Pic de Bretagne) based on my climbing abilities and preferences and kindly offered train station pick-up and hotel drop off, which I appreciated very much. The multi-pitch route we did was not only fun but also the right amount of challenge, which I thoroughly enjoyed. The communication from the team (Gauthier) was prompt and clear—highly recommend!

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