Aconcagua Expedition Update – February 8th, 2024
Hello from Plaza de Mulas!
This is the second blog post from our February Aconcagua Expedition — which also marks our fourth and fifth consecutive expeditions of the season! Today is Saturday, February 8th, and both of our climbing teams have now safely reached Plaza de Mulas base camp (4,300m).
We’ve been blessed with three straight days of clear skies, a rare phenomenon in this region! 🌞 The winds, however, remain strong — with gusts reaching around 60 km/h at the summit.
🌬️ Unexpected Departures from the Team
Unfortunately, two of our team members had to leave the expedition:
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Florian received urgent personal news — a close loved one was diagnosed with a serious illness. He departed Plaza de Mulas by helicopter at 8 p.m. last night and is now back in Mendoza.
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Gyan experienced some health issues around 3,500m and also returned to Mendoza safely.
Both climbers are doing well, and we’re grateful for the moments they shared with us on the mountain. 💙
🧗♂️ Climb Progress & Upcoming Plans
Tomorrow, our team will begin the climb to Plaza Canadá at 4,950m, where we’ll establish our first high camp and begin our first load carry. The team climbing via the Normal Route is expected to make their Aconcagua summit attempt around February 17th, weather permitting.
Starting February 11th, we’ll be sending daily updates using our SPOT satellite system, allowing friends and family to follow our location in real time.
📡 Stay Connected
For more photos, updates, and behind-the-scenes moments from this expedition, follow us on Intagram!
And if you’re planning to climb Aconcagua in 2026, now is the time to start training and preparing. At Andes Specialists, we provide expert-led Aconcagua Guide Expeditions, customized acclimatization plans, and full support for gear, logistics, and preparation.
Thanks for following our journey — stay tuned for more updates as we move higher toward the summit of Aconcagua, the highest mountain in the Americas! 🏔️
– Maximo Kausch
AndesSpecialists.com