You are on page 1of 10

ALWAYS A LITTLE HIGHER

SEVEN SUMMITS

Aconcagua.
Scale the highest peak
in South America.
As the highest peak in South America - and the highest mountain on the planet
outside of Asia - Aconcagua represents a significant conquest for any
mountaineer. Surrounded by dramatic glaciers, including the 10km long
Ventisquero Horcones Inferior, this magnificent 6,961m high peak is not
without its challenges, but is not considered hugely difficult from a technical
point of view. Many climbers - and Elite Exped clients - use this as a
preparatory peak ahead of tackling greater objectives in the Himalayas.

For expedition dates, price and all latest information


WWW.ELITE-EXPED.COM/EXPED/SEVEN-SUMMITS/ACONCAGUA

Overview
COUNTRY DURATION GRADE
SOUTH 20 DAYS EAST 1C
AMERICA

MAX WALKING BEST


ALTITUDE PER DAY SEASON
6961 M APPROX DECEMBER /
22838 FT 4 - 7 HOURS JANUARY

PAGE 1 ELITE EXPED


ALWAYS A LITTLE HIGHER

Aconcagua Expedition
Elite Exped’s founders have unparalleled experience in the world’s most extreme mountain
environments. Nims and Mingma David have climbed all of the world’s 8,000m peaks in
record time. Nims has a 100 percent success rate on 8,000ers, and perhaps more
importantly, the pair have a 100 percent safety record - when working together, not a single
member of any of their teams has lost so much as a fingertip to frostbite.

This record offers the kind of reassurance you need when tackling any peak around the
world, including in South America. Nims’ personal attachment to Aconcagua dates back to
2017, when he led a successful expedition to the summit. Our Aconcagua expedition plan is
based on his itinerary from that trip, but with additional time allowed for clients’ rest days
and acclimatisation.

Aconcagua’s relative accessibility means we can complete the climb within 20 days of your
arrival in Mendoza, the regional capital some 112km away from the peak. This includes
contingency days for weather.

As in Nepal, we oversee every aspect of the expedition when operating in Argentina - from
carrying in food, gears we control the controllable, making sure that nothing is left to
chance. The South American members of our guiding team have decades worth of
experience scaling Andean peaks, including putting up first ascents on several challenging
routes.

Aconcagua might not be as dangerous as some of the mountains in our founders’ backyard,
but we never underestimate anything. Wherever we operate on the planet, we prepare for
all eventualities, to make sure that the highest standards of safety are maintained.

Elite Exped’s highly experienced guiding team are not just record-breaking mountaineers -
they also have extensive training in high altitude rescues. We have evacuation plans and
helicopters in place for emergencies.

PAGE 2 ELITE EXPED


ALWAYS A LITTLE HIGHER

Itinerary
This tried and tested itinerary is informed by decades of mountaineering experience. As
with all adventurous activities of this type however, circumstances may arise where Elite
Exped is forced to make alterations, possibly at short notice. While making every effort to
adhere to this published schedule, we kindly ask for your patience if the weather, or other
naturally occurring circumstances, intervene.

DAY 01 DAY 12
ARRIVE IN MENDOZA BEFORE 12PM. WELCOME BRIEF / ASCEND TO CAMP 2 CALLED “NIDO DE CONDORES”
GEAR CHECK AND OFFICIAL FORMALITIES (MOUNTAIN (MEANING CONDOR NEST), WHICH IS LOCATED IN A HIGH
PERMITS) PASS AT 5,400 M AND PROVIDES A SPECTACULAR VIEW OF
THE SURROUNDING MOUNTAINS
DAY 02
WE HEAD FROM MENDOZA TO CONFLUENCIA AND SPEND DAY 13
THE NIGHT THERE WE SKIP CAMP 3 AND HEAD FOR SUMMIT PUSH/SUMMIT
DAY 6,962M
DAY 03
WE TREK TO FRANCIS AND CONFLUENCIA. DAY 14 - 16
SPARE DAYS IN CASE OF BAD WEATHER CONDITIONS.
DAY 04
TREK TO PLAZA DE MULAS DAY 17
RETURN BACK TO CAMP 2
DAY 05
REST DAY AT THE BASE CAMP DAY 18
RETURN TO BASECAMP
DAY 06
EXPLORE THE LOCAL TERRAIN. WE MAY DO AN DAY 19
ACCLIMATISATION HIKE AND REST AT THE BASE CAMP TRANSFER TO MENDOZA, CHECK INTO A NICE HOTEL AND
ENJOY A FANCY ARGENTINE-STYLE MEAL
DAY 07
CARRY EQUIPMENT AND FOOD TO CAMP 1 (4,900M) AND DAY 20
OVERNIGHT AT CAMP 1 TRANSFER TO MENDOZA AIRPORT; DEPART FOR THE
COUNTRY OF RESIDENCE
DAY 08
TOUCH CAMP 2 AND BACK AT BASE CAMP. (WE WILL
DEPOSIT SOME KIT AT CAMP 2)

DAY 09 - 10
REST DAY AT THE BASE CAMP

DAY 11
ASCENT TO CAMP 1. ASCEND TO CAMP 1, CALLED “PLAZA
CANADA” AND SLEEP THERE FOR THE NIGHT

PAGE 3 ELITE EXPED


ALWAYS A LITTLE HIGHER

What’s included
At Elite Exped, we extensively vet our hotel, travel and accommodation partners, and
operate using the very best mountaineering equipment available, to ensure the highest
standards of safety possible. The following is included in your booking.

INCLUDED

Arrival & Departure: Pick and drop facility- Staff Remunerations and allowances: All staffs' &
Airport/Hotel/Airport porters' daily wages /equipment /food /clothing
with personal insurances
Accommodation: A night at a standard hotel in
Mendoza on arrival and departure on Bed & Insurance: All Staff's Medical & Emergency rescue
Breakfast Basis - Twin Sharing Insurance

Elite Himalayan Adventures expert guides: 1 to 4 Member Luggage: 40 Kg per member as personal
guide ratio on the mountain baggage

Transportation: All required Transportation for Weather Forecast:


all Staffs and Members
Food & Lodging: Major meals during Trekking & at
Waste Management: Stool Shipment Transfer, Basecamp for Members & Staffs
Garbage Deposit Fees
High camp Tent: Necessary VE25 North Face High
Base Camp Equipment: Base camp dome tent / Tent for Members and High-Altitude Sherpa
dining / Kitchen / Toilet / Tables & chairs /
cooking gears High camp tents on sharing basis.

Hot drinking water: Facility of hot drinking Light: Base camp will have electricity for lights
water as per the need
High camp service: Essential cooking gas, cooking
Mule supported trek to Base Camp (maximum utensils, High Altitude Sherpa, High altitude Tent,
23kg per person) high food and fixing gear

Base Camp Staffs: Basecamp Cook & kitchen


assistant.

Porters: Porter support for all group equipment

PAGE 4 ELITE EXPED


ALWAYS A LITTLE HIGHER

NOT INCLUDED Sherpa summit Bonus: Minimum USD 600+

International airfare to and from Mendoza Tips: Please calculate some tips for Basecamp staffs
and porters
Aconcagua expedition permit fees – USD 800 to
USD 1000 The full set of Member's personal climbing
equipment & clothing
Lunch & Dinner during the stay In Mendoza
Rescue Evacuation: Emergency rescue evacuation
Extra nights’ accommodation in Mendoza. In case cost, if needed and all other expenses of personal
of early arrival or late departure, early return nature
from the expedition (due to any reason) than the
scheduled itinerary Any other item not listed in the "Price Includes"
section
Insurance: Travel and High-Altitude Insurance /
Accident / Medical / emergency evacuation

PAGE 5 ELITE EXPED


ALWAYS A LITTLE HIGHER

Requirements
Climbers must have prior experience of similar When you sign up, we’ll ask you to share key
peaks, including significant ascents in the Andes, performance data and look closely at your past
Alps, Rockies, Caucasus or Himalayas. We will experience. If there are shortfalls within abilities
likely encounter long, steep snow and ice slopes and experience, we can collectively discuss the
with short steps of very steep ice or low-grade opportunities and/or provide a training support
rock climbing, so mastery of basic plan, including recommending preliminary climbs in
mountaineering skills is a must. the years and months leading up to this expedition,
to ensure that you achieve your objective
Climbs of this grade demand hard physical effort
at extreme altitudes - you will need exceptional
cardio-vascular fitness and to be thoroughly
prepared.

Equipment

The adventurous activities undertaken by Elite Exped will require the purchase of specialist
equipment Please see below the full kit list for this expedition:

CHECKLIST

 HELMET: MUST BE ABLE TO FIT OVER YOUR SKI HAT  BRIDGEDALE SUMMIT SOCKS OR EQUIVALENT: 6
PAIRS.
 ALPINE ICE AXE: GENERAL MOUNTAINEERING TOOL
(65-70CM)  BRIDGEDALE LINER SOCKS OR EQUIVALENT: 3 PAIRS.

 CRAMPONS 12 POINTS  2 MERINO BASE LAYERS: TOP AND BOTTOM

 MOUNTAINEERING HARNESS WITH ADJUSTABLE LEG  1 MID LAYER TOP: BREATHABLE.


LOOPS
 UNDERWEAR
 CARABINERS: 3 LOCKING AND 6 REGULAR
 LIGHTWEIGHT NYLON PANTS: 1 PAIR
 MOUNTAINEERING BOOTS: SUITABLE FOR ABOVE
8000M. THIS IS BECAUSE, WE CAN WORK UNDER  SOFT SHELL JACKET WITH HOODY: TO BE WORN
OVER OTHER LAYERS
EXTREME WEATHER CONDITIONS AND PREPARING
YOU FOR YOUR BIGGER CLIMB OF 8000M IN FUTURE
 SOFT SHELL PANTS: VERY BREATHABLE AND WATER
REPELLENT
 HIKING SHOES FOR THE TREK TO BASE CAMP

 HARD SHELL JACKET WITH HOOD: A WATERPROOF


 BOOTIES: OPTIONAL, DOWN IS BEST.
AND BREATHABLE SHELL JACKET

PAGE 6 ELITE EXPED


ALWAYS A LITTLE HIGHER

 HARD SHELL PANTS: WATERPROOF AND BREATHABLE  TREKKING POLES WITH SNOW BASKETS: ADJUSTABLE
SHELL PANTS POLES

 INSULATED DOWN JACKET WITH HOOD: (FILL POWER  CUP: PLASTIC INSULATED CUP FOR DRINKING
800) OR EQUIVALENT TO RAB’S ELECTRON JACKET.
 BOWL: A PLASTIC BOWL FOR EATING DINNER OR
 INSULATED SYNTHETIC PANTS BREAKFAST

 WARM HAT: SYNTHETIC OR WOOL HAT (SKI HAT)  SPOON: PLASTIC SPOON

 SUNHAT: TO SHADE YOUR FACE / NECK FROM THE  HEAD TORCH: 1 NORMAL FOR BASE CAMP AND 1
SUN ON A HOT DAY WITH REMOTE BATTERY SYSTEMS FOR CLIMBING AT
NIGHT. THIS WILL BE USED WHILST CLIMBING AT
 BUFF: TO PROTECT YOUR NECK / FACE FROM THE NIGHT
SUN
 SUNSCREEN: SPF 50 OR ABOVE
 GLACIER GLASSES: FULL PROTECTION WITH SIDE
COVERS OR WRAP AROUND  LIP BALM WITH SUN BLOCK

 SKI GOGGLES: TO BE WORN ON SUMMIT DAY IN THE  WATER BOTTLES: 2 WIDE MOUTH BOTTLES WITH 1
EVENT OF HIGH WINDS LITTER CAPACITY

 LIGHTWEIGHT SYNTHETIC LINER GLOVES: FOR  WATER BOTTLE PARKAS (2): FULLY INSULATED WITH
WEARING ON A HOT DAY; 2 PAIRS ZIP OPENING

 SOFT SHELL GLOVES: TO WEAR FOR MODERATE COLD  THERMOS: 1 LITRE (BUY A GOOD ONES TO KEEP
/ WIND YOUR WATER WARM FOR LONGER HOURS)

 SHELL GLOVE WITH INSULATED LINER: TO WEAR FOR  PEE BOTTLE: 1 LITRE MINIMUM BOTTLE FOR
SEVERE COLD / STRONG WIND CONVENIENCE AT NIGHT IN THE TENT

 EXPEDITION MITTS  TOILETRY BAG: INCLUDE TOILET PAPER AND HAND


SANITIZER AND SMALL TOWEL
 EXPEDITION BACKPACK: 65L PACK SHOULD BE LARGE
ENOUGH  HAND WARMERS & TOE WARMERS

 TREKKING BACKPACK: TO CARRY ON THE TREK TO  PENKNIFE OR MULTI TOOL (OPTIONAL)


BASE CAMP. SIMPLE AND LIGHT
 CAMERA: BRING EXTRA BATTERIES AND MEMORY
 SLEEPING BAG (FOR HIGH CAMPS): RATED TO AT CARDS
LEAST -40°F. GOOSE DOWN OR SYNTHETIC
 PERSONAL SOLAR CHARGING SYSTEM (OPTIONAL
 COMPRESSION STUFF SACKS: 3 LARGE ONES; FOR BUT RECOMMENDED)
REDUCING VOLUME OF THE SLEEPING BAG, DOWN
PARKA, ETC., IN YOUR PACK  TRAVEL CLOTHES: FOR DAYS IN COUNTRY

 HIGH QUALITY SLEEPING PAD (1 FOR BASE CAMP  DUFFEL BAGS (2) WITH LOCKS: TO TRANSPORT
AND 1 FOR HIGH CAMPS): FULL LENGTH IS EQUIPMENT
PREFERRED
 BASE CAMP ITEMS: KINDLE, I PAD, SMART PHONE,
 CLOSED CELL FOAM PAD: TO BE USED IN ETC
CONJUNCTION WITH THE INFLATING PAD FOR
WARMTH AND COMFORT WHEN SLEEPING

PAGE 7 ELITE EXPED


ALWAYS A LITTLE HIGHER

 SNACK FOOD: PLEASE BRING A FEW DAYS OF YOUR


FAVOURITE CLIMBING SNACK FOOD SUCH AS BARS,
GELS, NUTS, BEEF JERKY, ETC. A VARIETY OF SALTY
AND SWEET IS GOOD

 SMALL PERSONAL FIRST AID KIT: INCLUDE ATHLETIC


TAPE, BAND-AID’S, IBUPROFEN, BLISTER CARE***,
PERSONAL MEDICATIONS, ETC

 MEDICATIONS AND PRESCRIPTIONS: BRING


ANTIBIOTICS (AZITHROMYCIN, ETC.), AND ALTITUDE
MEDICINE SUCH AS DIAMOX AND DEXAMETHASONE

PAGE 8 ELITE EXPED


ALWAYS A LITTLE HIGHER

Payment
You may pay your deposit and balance using any lawful means. If sending money by electronic bank transfer
then you will be responsible for covering the cost of the fees associated with the transfer, so that the company
receives the full amount shown on your invoice, in the denomination shown on your invoice.

Cancellation
In case the client decides to cancel their trip, at any time between booking and the time of the trip, some
deduction will be made to the advance amount. This is due to the company’s obligation to pay a certain
amount for personnel and resources while booking them.

The following cancellations charges will apply if you decide to cancel the booking:

• Cancellations made 90 days or before are entitled to full deposit return if it has been paid in advance.
90 days passing will incur in loss of 30 percent of the deposit paid.
• Cancellations made 60 days prior to the departure date will incur a loss of 50 percent of the deposit
paid.
• Cancellations made 45 days before the departure date will incur a loss of the full deposit and are
subject to a 30 percent fee of total trip cost.
• Cancellations made 30 days or less before the departure date will incur a loss of 100 percent of the
total trip cost.

NB: All refund requests must be made in writing and be received in our office within the notice period stated
above.

For all cancellations, the company must be notified in writing. Acceptable means of communication include
letter and email.

Insurance
All Elite Exped clients require appropriate insurance for their chosen expedition. Please ensure your policy
covers helicopter and medical rescue and repatriation costs.

Elite Exped’s has a long-standing operational partnership with Global Rescue, the world’s leading membership
organisation providing medical security, travel risk and crisis response services to travellers worldwide.
Because of our history of operating side-by-side with Global Rescue, we recommend our clients register with
them by preference.

PAGE 9 ELITE EXPED


ALWAYS A LITTLE HIGHER

Our close working relationship helps smooth the process of any potential rescue, saving valuable time that can
affect the outcome. Memberships start at US$119, and without a Global Rescue membership, an emergency
evacuation could cost you more than US$100,000.

Bookings
For expedition dates, price and all latest information
WWW.ELITE-EXPED.COM/E X P E D / S E V E N - S U M M I T S / ACONCAGUA

For all expedition enquires and bookings


INFO@ELITEEXPED.COM

PAGE 10 ELITE EXPED

You might also like