Tent Mules
We arrive in the region of Mendoza to November 4, after visiting the northern Argentina, northern Chile (Atacama Desert) and South Lipez in Bolivia. The city of Mendoza will quickly become a second "home" as the atmosphere is warm and welcoming. We will spend a total of 5 weeks and everywhere, until the first day of our final departure to the east of the country and Buenos Aires. Order to arrive 10 days before the start of the season's official ascent of Cerro Aconcagua is the most complete our acclimatization. Indeed, there is now a week since we left a decent altitude to maintain our red blood cells acquired at high levels in Bolivia. In addition, the air pressure in the Andes at this latitude, is known to be lower and therefore more difficult to fight at the effect of lack of oxygen. Many say it is a "small 8000" because the pressure at the top is similar to that of the great Himalayas. The rise of acclimation whereas aligned to the Cerro del Plata, a neighbor of 6 300m, technically easy, apart from its altitude, and perfect to enjoy this beautiful mountainous region of the Andes. We take 4 days to make this ascent which confirms that our bodies are ready to face the giant Andean. From the top of Cerro del Plata we can see the wall of the south face of Aconcagua, which dominates us more than 600 meters!. Back to Mendoza, Return to the heat of the Argentine culture, these endearing people, not to mention the delicious wine and beef abundant to be savored in "parrilla" specialty of the country (meat grilled on charcoal). We stayed at Huellas Andinas (Andean footprints) during our time in town, a place rich in contacts and information about the rock star of the corner. The owner is also a mountain guide in the region. It also refers us to the best local agencies for services to the base camp, to obtain a climbing permit and for the service of tent mules that will carry our 60 kg of food and equipment. The price includes the services of tent mules to Base Camp (see below). Speaking of food and equipment, everything is findable on-site rental stores and sales of sports equipment (plastic boots, crampons, gas cartridges, stoves, tents, mountain clothing, etc. ), supermarket with everything can be found in North America. And beef three times less for the first days of trek!. The price varies according to season, from 100 to 300 USD. It is the transportation service that takes us to the administration office and permits the bank to pay the amount required. On 15 November 2004, the great departure of our expedition to the 'Roof of the Americas'. This day also marks the official opening of Parque Provincial Aconcagua, in which thirty peaks over 4000 meters prevail, standing guard their illustrious companion, Aconcagua, in the Quechua language means "the stone sentinel '. The river water is well frozen, we had to melt snow to consider our daily hydration, around 5 liters per person. This measure and our exposure to the altitude varied during multiple ascents in Bolivia have become major assets to be in a state of acclimation comfortable. Park services ranging from garbage bag to the presence of the doctor not to mention the evaluation of forecasts made by an "guarda park" (Warden). We saw several teams of climbers give up. As for us, the final attempt of reaching the summit did made only by means of a respite from high winds on day 13. On November 27, the brothers Bleau, Belgian and Czech contemplate, excited, a 'horizonte grandioso' to almost 7000 meters. Our team is the first of the season to live this high emotion, unknown bottom. Here we have access to the treasure guarded by the 'stone sentinel', a personal treasure enshrined in our memory after overcoming technical barriers and above will require. The guard acts as mythical adversity to overcome, so it can only be of stone. . . .
