Aconcagua in 12 days with Oxygen

December, January and February are the best month to climb Aconcagua. All month can have storms and high winds. It is impossible to say before hand which of the three will be better. Often early December trips can be a bit colder, but again not necessarily better than January or February.

We use a 3:1 ratio, normally 9 clients and 3 guides. Besides that we have staff at base camp like cooks, chefs, cowboys on approach and porters available up high.

Also we often use support from other team in case someone needs to descend.

Train, train and train. We can share our training plan after the booking. 

Also the right mental attitude is key to success.

• On approach about 12 pounds/ 6 kilos,
• Above Base Camp, about 40 lbs or 20 kilos. If you decide to use a porter it will be a lot less and under 20 lbs/10 kilos

Yes we do rest several items like Sleeping Bags, Expedition Down Coats, Crampons, Ice Axe, etc

Food during the approach and at base camp is quite gourmet, with a barbecue on approach, fresh salads at base camp, meat, pizza, eggs, pancakes, etc. We have a Chef at base Camp!

Up high from base camp the food becomes more simple (mountain food)

• Cereals, Granola, oat meal, for breakfast
• Snack food for Lunch (more like the entire work day), nuts, candy bars, enregy bars, cheese, salami, bread, crackers, dry fruit, etc
• Dinners up high are prepared by the Guides, each guide has a different style but they try to be quite creative with ingredients and flavors some simple dishes like Pasta , Rice, Quinoa, Couscous or Polenta can be done tastefully with a touch of fresh paremessan, mushroom sauce, pesto sauce or curry rice with chicken or Tai food as well.

Vegetarian and vegan as well as any other specific diets we can accommodate

There are three main training methods used to gain the benefits of Altitude Training:

• Sleeping at altitude
• Exercising at altitude
• Intermittent Hypoxic Training

By engaging in these, you can expect the following physiological reactions to occur:

• Amplified pulmonary oxygen absorption
• Boosted production of Erythropoietin Hormone (EPO) by the kidneys, stimulating generation of Red Blood Cells (RBCs) and enhanced oxygen transportation through the body
• Increased capillarization for greater oxygen delivery to the tissues, muscles and brain
• Enhanced production and rejuvenation of mitochondria (the cell’s hub for aerobic energy production) and mitochondrial enzymes, allowing more efficient use of oxygen for energy production and superior enzymatic anti-oxidative defense.

We will have a Summit System and an On-Demand System available throughout your climb. Our guides train clients on Oxygen use extensively at Base Camp and also briefly before leaving in Mendoza, to ensure you feel comfortable with how to use the equipment.

Climbing Aconcagua with supplemental Oxygen does increase prices significantly vs. our regular 12 Day Climb, because a porter has to carry your bottle/s all the way to High Camp and then down to Base Camp. Furthermore, Oxygen is expensive and so are the regulators you will use. We insist on using the highest quality equipment and refuse to cut corners when it comes to such critical gear, so this is also reflected in our price.

There are multiple reasons why you might choose to use Oxygen on Aconcagua:

1. To reduce exposure to high altitude, extreme cold and the risk of frostbite
2. To take advantage of a shorter summit window during a shorter 12 day climb
3. To increase your chances of success and safety
4. To familiarize yourself with Oxygen system as part of Himalayan Training
5. To just make your summit day experience less strained and more enjoyable!

For these reasons and more, we are pioneering a new alternative way to climb Aconcagua, by offering you supplemental Oxygen on summit day. By doing so, you will be able to "lower" the summit by about 1,000 meters (3,300 feet). Climbing up the 7,000 meters of Aconcagua will feel more like a 6,000 meter peak, significantly increasing your chances of summiting, and leaving you feel more rested afterwards. Using supplemental oxygen can also shave 2 days off our already fast and very successful 12 Day speed ascent. There's no faster way to climb Aconcagua!

In case of early cancellation of the reservation, we will be forced to withhold from you a percentage of the price paid:

• no refund - Deposit
• less than 90 days - No refund