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Title image - BAI takes you to: Aconcagua
Why climb with Berg Adventures

Climb Aconcagua FAQ

Here is where you will find answers to some of your questions about this expedition. If you do not find what you need here, please contact us at info@bergadventures.com.

Choose the specific question to link to your answer

  1. What kind of physical condition do I need to be in?
  2. Do I have to carry heavy packs during the climb? I hear horror stories about spending most of the time on Aconcagua just carrying loads up and down?
  3. How heavy will my pack be?
  4. Which kind of prior climbing experience do I need to have?
  5. Will I be sharing a tent or a room with anyone?
  6. What kind of food do you have on the mountain?
  7. Should I book the flights myself or do you have a recommendation?
  8. What types of communication are available on the climb?
  9. What kind of camera should I bring?
  10. Can I arrive earlier or leave later?
  11. What kind of hotels do you use in the cities?
1. What kind of physical condition do I need to be in?Back to Top
Aconcagua requires endurance and good physical conditioning. The sooner you begin to train the better. We have climbed this mountain with people aged 19 to 79, but anyone who expects a reasonable chance to reach the top of these mountains must be prepared to be mentally tough and to have a reasonable base level of aerobic fitness. For example, can you walk at a brisk pace with 20 pounds on your back for 2-3 hours? Can you go out hiking for a long day, moving slowly and taking breaks, but continuing to move for 8 to 12 hours?
2. Do I have to carry heavy packs during the climb? I hear horror stories about spending most of the time on Aconcagua just carrying loads up and down? Back to Top
You won’t need to carry heavy loads up and down Aconcagua. Our staff will carry tents, food, fuel, and all climbing gear on the mountain. On Aconcagua local porters are available to assist with your personal loads for extra fees if you choose to use them.
3. How heavy will my pack be? Back to Top
Pack used on AconcaguaIt should be less than 40 pounds (18 kg) at the most. Most days it will be less, probably 25 pounds (11 kg).
4. Which kind of prior climbing experience do I need to have? Back to Top
We recommend that you have been to high altitude on a previous trip such as Everest base camp or Kilimanjaro. You will probably wear crampons and use an ice-axe on Aconcagua summit day depending on weather conditions. Prior experience with basic alpine snow and glacier travel is helpful, but not required. We approach this expedition as a learning experience and your guides will be offering instruction and will monitor your condition constantly.
5. Will I be sharing a tent or a room with anyone? Back to Top
We do offer the option of single room supplement and single tents at base camp during the trip.
6. What kind of food do you have on the mountain? Back to Top
Our menus are varied, and we use fresh, wholesome ingredients. There are always fresh soups for dinner, plenty of vegetables as well as good meats served separately so that vegetarians have a choice. In addition to full breakfasts (eggs, toast, fresh fruit, hot and cold cereal) our lunches are complete and we offer an array of snack food purchased locally as well as brought from Canada. Tea time with herbal teas, fruit drinks, coffee and hot chocolate, popcorn and cookies is a regular afternoon tradition that is always appreciated.
7. Should I book the flights myself or do you have a recommendation? Back to Top
We can book for you or you can use you own travel agent or book directly with the airlines or online, our office will work with you to assure that your itinerary will work.
8. What types of communication are available on the climb? Back to Top
Our primary means of emergency communication is satellite phone, which is always with us. In addition we use radios on the mountain and while we are hiking to communicate between guides and with our base camp.
Our sattllite phone will also be used to send daily reports which will be posted on our web site for friends, family, workmates and schools at home to follow. You will have good opportunities for Internet in Mendoza and from the lower camps on Aconcagua.
9. What kind of camera should I bring? Back to Top
Digital cameras offer the flexibility and economy of working without film. Look for one that is simple, rugged and well-sealed. Many models of “point and shoot’ digital cameras tend to be quite fragile in the dust and cold of climbing on Aconcagua and Ojos. Look for a camera that is portable enough to be transported easily, yet not so small that controls will be difficult to work with gloves on or with cold fingers.
Rugged SLR film cameras and higher quality Digital SLR’s offer the flexibility of interchangeable lenses and normally perform better in extreme conditions. Even though they are heavier, they are worth bringing if you have experience using them.
Video camcorders are great because they allow for recording sounds and still shots as well as video. Do not leave your video camera or SLR camera at home just because you think they will be too heavy to carry to the summit. We will have safe storage for our equipment at all our hotels and camps through our trip.
Regardless of what kind of cameras you bring, be sure to bring the charger for your batteries. You will be able to charge them at all our hotels and perhaps even at Base Camp on Aconcagua. Also bring plenty of film and/or memory cards. Many people underestimate how many pictures they will take!
10. Can I arrive earlier or leave later? Back to Top
Absolutely, we will be happy to book extended accommodations for you.
11. What kind of hotels do you use in the cities? Back to Top
Berg Adventures only uses first-class hotels around the world on all our expeditions. In Mendoza we use excellent hotels with prime locations for wandering around. We stay at the Park Hyatt, Mendoza.