Aconcagua Expedition Summit via 360 with Grajales Expeditions 2022.

Christmas Eve at nearly 7000 metres with Rex Taylor and Team Grajales Expeditions. December 2022.

Aconcagua Xmas Eve Summit 2022.

PRE-ACCLIMATISATION WITH DEREK IN LAS CUEVAS

Portezuelo del Viento in Las Cuevas has become my second home. I love this charming hostel located at an altitude of 3200 meters. Pablo, Magali, Emiliano, and Paula are like family.

As part of the pre-acclimatisation process, I climbed Santa Elena at 4500 metres.

Going up and down a nice 10km training hill near Christo Redentor on the border with Chile is my favourite place to train and settle into high altitude.

360 EXPEDITION WITH GRAJALES

On December 11, 2022, I joined the group that started the trek at Vacas Gate, at approximately 2800 meters altitude. Our team consisted of nine climbers and three guides.

On the first day, we covered 15km to Pampa de Lenas, where we pitched our tents and had a nice meal.

Our second stop on the journey to Basecamp Argentina was Casa de Piedra.

In the morning, after crossing the Horcones River, we traversed approximately 10 km of rock and scree, navigated another river crossing, and finally arriving at the Basecamp situated at 4500 metres.

Basecamp Argentina is less crowded than the busier Basecamp Mulas on the Normal route. I really appreciated the quieter environment with less noise. It allowed me to focus more about what was needed for my speed ascent I was planning to do straight after the expedition. more of the trek was extremely rocky and difficult to navigate - I was worried for my safety at night time. I had a lot on my mind as I tried to just rest and be at 4500m.

Plaza Argentina is the rest spot where climbers typically take 2-3 days to rest, regroup and acclimatise for higher camps.

This is also the place where climbers go for the first doctor's check up. Most of the group cleared their Oxy and blood pressure screening, except for one. We were now down to eight climbers and three guides.

I was feeling good, clearing the doctor's visit with 92 Oxy and 110 / 80 blood pressure.

Weather was also still on our side - we had calm days with plenty of sunshine. Life was good.

After Basecamp, the group moved up to Camp 1, carried a load and then back down to Basecamp. Back to Camp 1, the next day where we ended up sleeping overnight.

Camp1 to Camp 2 was steep but not too long. It's nothing like the Normal side. And it's definitely quieter. There were only a couple of other expeditions sharing a camp with us.

I was constantly thinking of my timing and what would be the best way to execute on this side of the mountain. In fact, I wasn't even sure if I would be going up this side first or coming down. There was so much ahead of me still.

Aconcagua sunsets

We reached Camp 3 in good weather and with not too much excitement.

It was getting colder and a few people in the group started feeling more concerned about the Summit push. The altitude was starting to kick in.

Agustin, our leader, recommended that I begin the Summit push later in the morning since I had single boots. This was a great idea I thought, because it would encourage me to move faster than the group. And hopefully it helps with my speed ascent following our expedition.

On Christmas eve 2022, I successfully summited Aconcagua via 360 route in 18 days. Out of nine climbers, only four of us summited.

TO BE CONTINUED...