Aconcagua Expedition Update – Basecamp – December 24, 2016 🎄
Hello! 👋
We’re currently at Plaza de Mulas (4,300m), and everyone is acclimatizing exceptionally well while enjoying one of the first days of good weather on the mountain. During our approach to Confluência—which is normally very warm—we experienced a sudden snowstorm, and we arrived at our intermediate camp feeling very cold. ❄️
We spent two nights in Confluência, enjoying all the comforts of the camp, including tables, chairs, showers, and more. However, with nighttime temperatures dropping to around -18°C, everything froze—our water was completely frozen in the morning, and it took quite an effort to defrost everything! 🥶🧊
These setbacks are part of the adventure in high mountain expeditions, and they remind us that every challenge builds the character of our journey. We all had a blast on our way to Plaza Francia, the base of Aconcagua’s South Wall. This impressive wall, nearly 3 kilometers tall, frequently unleashes several avalanches during the day. From the safety of our camp, we witnessed this incredible force of nature reshaping the mountain—a truly awe-inspiring sight! ⛰️❄️
Yesterday at 09:00, we began a 26 km trek to our base camp, and thankfully, the weather cooperated—only a slight gust of wind hit us at the steepest part. We reached base camp around 17:00, and today we’re taking a well-deserved rest at 4,300m. Our plan for today is to hydrate well and enjoy Christmas Eve like a big family. 🎅🎁
This update is part of our ongoing Aconcagua Expedition where every detail—from high altitude acclimatization to managing the Aconcagua Equipment—plays a crucial role in successfully Climbing Aconcagua. Follow our journey as we continue to share tips from our Guide to Climb Aconcagua and our overall Aconcagua Journey.
Feliz Natal and thank you for following our blog!
– Maximo Kausch, Expedition Leader