Day 2 - farewell Mendoza

Day 2 was a bit of a lazy one. This morning we picked up our climbing permits which have increased by 20% from last year - now a whopping 350eur.  Anyway not to worry it'll be worth it. After back and forth between offices for payment and paper work (lots of it) we get the permits.

After packing, getting harder with all the equipment (poor mules) we headed for the mountains on a 3 hour drive. With some soft Argentinian music coming from we all sit quietly staring out the windows at the beauty of landscape and the ice capped mountains. We meandered through the mountains following some wild rapids we arrive at Penitentes, which strangely enough is mentioned in the Indian Jones movie we were watching later in the day.

Penitentes is a small ski resort obviously quiet due to the time of the year. We stumbled around the area for a short while to find it bleak with a serious wind blowing through it. Already I can feel the altitude with a easy hill walk being harder than normal. We are now at 2600meters.  Only 4300 to go.

Over lunch we discussed accidents on the mountain. Good to hear that there was only one death and that was an idiot that didn't bring a sleepping bag. Another incident was a Guy losing a finger due to frost bite and how his wedding ring was like a very tight elastic band around a swollen balloon of a finger. Ronan has now decided to take his off, sorry Sandra.

We're staying in a fairly basic skiing hotel but shouldn't complain as it's the last real bed I'll see for a couple of weeks. Early night as the jet lag is still hurting. Tomorrow the real expedition begins as we begin the hiking. Confluencia here we come.

Tomorrow will probably be the last day of phone signal so updates for a week or two after then.

I was at : Ruta Nacional 7, Mendoza,

Day 1 - traveling and steak

What along day and half. After the finak packing check my brother dropped me off at Dublin airport for the long haul of flights. Dublin to Paris, pick up Luc - a member of our hiking group and the 13 HR flight to Buenos Aires. Being slightly delayed nearly made us miss our connecting flight to Mendoza as the domestic airport is the other side of the city. As the taxi driver said "welcome to Argentina"meaning that this normal disorganisation. Nice and friendly driver with little english but he tried.

Arriving in Mendoza 24hrs after leaving dublin we meet our guide Gonzalo. Full of talk and gives us a good overview of what is to come over the next 2 weeks. I'm excited now even though severely tired.

After 1 HR of rest we headed to the rental store to pin up the last of the essentials - crampons, ice axe, sleeping bag -30 degrees cellsius, ski goggles and mitts. I feel ripped off leaving the store but this seems to be the norm.  My bank account has taken a serious hit during to preparation for this expedition.  Hope it's worth it.

Resisting the mini bar in my hotel room is my first challenge on this trip as dinner only starts at 830, 2 hrs away and I know it'll be worth the wait. I made it and it was worth it's wait in gold. Fillet steak Argentinian style.....delicious. 

During dinner we learnt more about the expedition and the scary thing to learn is that only 50% of people.of people make it to the top. Mainly the altitude is what gets most people. Gonzalo is all about going slowly and drinking lots of water which is good to hear. Gonzalo is a good talker and loves to tell us about Argentina and Mendoza. Fascinating stuff.

Funny thing today was finding a regatta picture in which Luc, our French hiking buddy thinks he is in AZ hee was part of race on the year it was run but he couldn't be 100% it was him

Anyways one and half days of travelling and I'm exhausted. Need a crazy long sleep and onto day 2 where we hit the road.

Apologies about any typos. I'm writing this on my phone and it auto corrects spelling.

I was at : Luján de Cuyo, Mendoza,

So the packing begins

One thing you always worry about when you plan for an expedition such as is what to bring, have I got everything or am I bringing too much. I spent the whole of today gathering my equipment together and I hope I have everything.

Check out my pictures and video below.

So what is the plan?

Flying from Dublin on the 26th December via Paris, Buenos Aires and onto Mendoza. Return flight back to Ireland on the 14th January.

Our Travel company is http://www.trekonline.com.

Day 1 to 2: Flight to Mendoza, hotel transfer, equipment check and briefing
Day 3: Puente del Inca - National Park of the Aconcagua
Day 4 to 5: Trek to Confluencia and to Plaza Francia
Day 6: Trek to base camp : Plaza de Mulas 14,074 ft.
Day 7: Rest day
Day 8: Acclimatization trek to 16,110 ft.
Day 9: Rest day
Day 10 to 16: Climbing Period - SUMMIT 22,841 ft.
Day 17 : Transfer back to Mendoza, diner.
Day 20 to 21: Transfer to airport and flight back to Europe

Aconcagua Expedition 2009/2010

On December the 26th December 2009 Kevin Moran(myself) and Ronan Buckley plan to head off for a trip of a life time to climb the highest mountain outside of the Himalayas, Mount Aconcagua(6962 Meters) in Argentina. We'll be facing some physical and mental challenges like we've never faced.

Why the hell would you do this?

Because I love a good adventure.

Well a year and a half ago Ronan pinged (instant messaged) me while I was living in Israel and asked me did I want to go and within 2 seconds my answer was "yes". From then our recruiting began which at one stage had up to 10 people coming. As time went by and the big event came closer the interested parties dwindled away. By 6 months ago we were down to 3 which unfortunately, just after payment, we were down to 2 as Ronan's friend had a car crash and did damage to his knee and back, game over for the very disappointed Brendan.

Only 5 days until we head off posting will begin closer to the time and during the trip until we get out of phone signal range. So sign up and be a follower.