climbing Mt Aconcagua

[deeve007]

Got a request for help from a friend of mine back in Oz, wondering if anyone here can offer some help/advice:

"I'm interested in climbing Mt Aconcagua which is about 1000km to your west. Its one of the 7 summits i'd like to do before attempting Everest in 2 years. I've sourced some online quotes for trekking the normal route including mules & food accom etc for $4000, but i've heard its often cheaper sourcing a local company in country. If you happen to be cruising around and see someone offering this kind of service, would you mind asking them how much they charge for the all inclusive Normal Route Aconcagua trek".

Anyone know of local options my friend may have?

 

[elhombresinnombre]

I'd suggest that your friend gets his advice from experienced climbers who have actually done this climb rather than inexperienced ex-pats who have just popped into local offices to pick up the price lists. They'll know who the reliable guides and good organisers are and Your friend probably subscribes to those sorts of climbing forums already: if not, this might be a good start.
http://www.theuiaa.org/aconcagua.html

The last person who came to baexpats for climbing advice died on the mountain in controversial circumstances.
http://baexpats.org/expat-life/7297-ba-expat-member-dies-aconcagua.html
I'm not saying your friend would get bad advice here, I'm just saying he'd get better advice from bonafide climbers - and they don't tend to hang around ex-pat groups.

 

[TexanPaul]

Agreed. A few people die every year--it's a dangerous thing, so go with the more experienced companies. I know Nicolas Garcia personally, really great guy, and he's been up as many times as anyone. He's at http://www.argentinamountain.com/ .

Hope this helps.

 

[Pumor]

Hi all,
I climbed Aconcagua few times (working as porter seasons 2006-2007-2008) and I agree with you "elhombre sinnombre"
heres is the list of every guide allowed to work as "Profesional Guide at Aconcagua Provincial Park"
http://www.aconcagua.mendoza.gov.ar/guias.pdf

I have more technical and critical information to share with a experienced climber, just send me a PM
Cheers