$7,995 USD
December 22, 2024 - January 10, 2025
February 1, 2025 - February 20, 2025
For those looking for more of a technical challenge on Aconcagua, we offer an ascent of the advanced Polish Glacier route.
The Polish Glacier ascends the steep, glaciated, upper northeastern slopes of Aconcagua to the summit. Climbers use fixed lines (like those we use on Everest) to navigate the 35-55 degree snow and ice.
It offers not only stunning views on a large and arduous summit day, but is excellent prep for those aspiring to Everest or other big mountaineering objectives.
Clients must have strong ice and snow climbing ability to be considered for this program.
You will be paired up at either a 1:1 or 2:1 ratio with a guide on this program and have separated logistics from high camp.
Please note, this route is very weather- and condition- dependent, requires a slightly different permit, and is much more technically challenging and therefore has a lower summit rate than ascension via the 360 or normal route.
Aconcagua Team Expedition Climb Schedule: Vacas Valley and Traverse with Polish Glacier
This itinerary is only a rough estimate and will be determined by weather and acclimatization. This is adventure travel, meaning things rarely go as planned and this schedule will likely change. Climbers need to be adaptable and positive.
We always recommend climbers arrive in Mendoza one day early to avoid travel delays or issues with lost baggage. Added expenses from this extra day (e.g., hotel, food, or sightseeing) are the client’s responsibility.
Team Climb Itinerary:
- Day 1: Meet in Mendoza (760m)
- Day 2: Gear checks, team meeting, team dinner
- Day 3: Permits and travel to Puente del Inca (2,591m)
- Day 4: Mule-assisted day hike to first camp, Pampa De Leñas (2,893m)
- Day 5: Mule-assisted day hike to second camp Casa De Piedra (3,250m)
- Day 6: Mule-assisted hike to Plaza Argentina Base Camp (4,218m)
- Day 7: Rest and acclimatization day at base camp
- Day 8: Load carry to Camp 1 (5,000m) and return to base camp, approximately 2.5 miles each way
- Day 9: Rest in base camp
- Day 10: Move to Camp 1 with gear (5,000m)
- Day 11: Carry to Camp 2 (5,486m) and return to Camp 1, about 2 miles each way
- Day 12: Move to Camp 2 with gear (5,486m)
- Day 13: Rest day in Camp 2
- Day 14: Move to Camp 3 (6,016m), about 1.4 miles
- Day 15: 1st potential summit day (6,962m). Depart Camp 3 and traverse to the base of the Polish Glacier. Ascend Polish Glacier in a single push, summit, and descend back to Camp 3, approximately 1.9 miles each way with elevation gain of 945m
- Day 16: Descend to Plaza de Mulas Base Camp (4,389m) to complete the traverse of the mountain
- Day 17: Big trek (18 miles) out from base camp to the park entrance and drive to Mendoza, arrive lateing
- Day 18: Fly home or spend a day in Mendoza to relax, celebrate, and get together for dinner as a team
- Day 19: Contingency day
- Day 20: Contingency day
Our expeditions are designed to be fully inclusive, except for some services/items of a personal nature like flights, gear, insurance. Here’s a detailed list so you know what to expect.
Included:
- Professional mountain guides
- Reliable, professional mule support from the best local outfitters
- One or two nights lodging (depending on your program) in Mendoza on arrival, one night lodging at Puente del Inca, and one night lodging in Mendoza upon our return. (Accommodation on unused contingency days are your responsibility.)
- All group transportation while on the expedition. If you depart early, the added expenses for transport, lodging, rescue, and evacuation is your own responsibility.
- Breakfast daily and all expedition (on-mountain) food is covered, including breakfast, dinner, snacks, and hot drinks. Lunch and in-town restaurant meals are your own expense.
- All group gear, including four-season tents, cooking gear, group duffels, stoves, first aid equipment, etc.
- Satellite phone used to update the CTSS blog and available to clientele at $3/min
Excluded:
- All personal porters
- Mountain climbing permit fee ($700-$1,000 depending on season)
- All in-town restaurant meals (breakfast is provided at the hotel), Puente del Inca dinner, and mountain lunch food
- Transportation to and from the airport upon arrival/departure
- Flight costs to and from Mendoza
- All personal climbing gear is the responsibility of the client
- In the event of a rescue, evacuation, or early departure from the group, any rescue expenses incurred or excess expenses above and beyond our normal trip costs including transport, hotels, evacuation, flight changes, and gear shipping are the responsibility of the client.
- Unused contingency day hotel nights in Mendoza
- Guide and porter tips (customary but optional)
- Costs incurred as a result of events beyond the control of CTSS above and beyond the normal expedition costs
- Required trip insurance policy (for trip cancellation, interruption, rescue & evacuation, medical treatment, repatriation, etc.)
