Our Aconcagua team has arrived at Plaza Argentina Base Camp (not to be confused with Plaza de Mulas Base Camp, their Base Camp on the trek down the mountains). Once there, the team feasted on Argentinian asado and were all in good spirits as they made their way up to the summit of South America’s tallest peak.

The route of choice for all of our team climbs on Aconcagua is the False Polish Traverse Route, also known as the 360 Route, which CTSS Owner Mike Hamill helped pioneer as a guided option over a decade ago.

This route ascends the Vacas and Relinchos Valleys, using three camps to get our teams into summit position, before descending the opposite side of the mountain to Plaza de Mulas Base Camp. We run this route for several reasons: we find the days more manageable, the scenery better, and the water sources more stable. Plus, it takes our climbers away from some of the more crowded camps, and it’s pretty cool to go up one side and down the other, seeing the whole peak.

Photos from CTSS Guide Gianni Capano: