Trip Reports

Aconcagua - 19 Dec to 10 Jan '16

$Acclimatisation walk to view Aconcagua\'s impressive south face$

Written by Leader Becky Coles, January 2016

The wind eased and the mountains became still. Clouds melted away and the sky turned a sapphire blue. Walking into base camp, and throughout our acclimatisation, the weather couldn't have been nicer. The mountain lulled us into a false sense of security.

Steak was served, red wine was drunk; by some more than others. We carried loads to Camp 1 and 2 to stock camps for our summit attempt, and climbed Bonete Peak (5050m) for views over Chile.

The weather was on the turn, however. Vindictive and cruel, it had waited for us to get fit and acclimatised, ready for our ascent, when the clouds rolled in and the wind strengthened as we climbed between camps.

We headed up with the hope that a glimmer of a weather window would open up on 4 January, this shifted to 5 January. Whilst we were at camp 2, we got a weather update over the radio. Trying to find something to write the report on Mauri grabbed the only bit of paper to hand; a toilet roll. This turned out to be very appropriate for the information we got. The weather window had disappeared and we were left with only one option. Other teams started packing up and heading down, but we decided that if we tried from Camp 2 the next day there may be a chance to summit, albeit slim.

At 5.30am on 3 January 8 members of the team with myself, Ilan, Nico and Mauri started on a summit bid. After a enormous effort Will with local guide, Mauri, summited before retreating in an unforecasted snow storm.

Our final night up at Camp 2 the wind beat the tents and spindrift swirled through our camp. In the morning we were glad to return to Base Camp for a final dinner before the blister-inducing 25km walk out the next day.

The team headed to Mendoza for a well earned rest and meal, washed down with Malbec, of course.

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