Our 2014 Aconcagua expedition has come to an end. Our team of international climbers from Switzerland, Australia, New Zealand, Brazil, Canada, United States and Bolivia all travelled to Argentina with one goal in mind – to reach the top of the Western Hemisphere. The team faced many challenges from hectic travel conditions on their way over to the wild weather Aconcagua is known for. Our summit team braved heavy winds, polar like conditions at high camp and even got stuck in a snow-storm on their descent from the summit. But with the proper gear, great training and outstanding determination this group challenged themselves and stood on the summit of Aconcagua – 22,841ft (6,962m). Great job team!

Contact us today about climbing to the highest point in the Western Hemisphere on our next Aconcagua Expedition.

The adventure begins! After many complications due to delayed flights and hectic weather Jean-Pierre arrives – still with a smile on his face and bags in hand!

There’s no better way to relax before a big climb then lounging poolside at the Park Hyatt and sampling some of Mendoza’s sparkling wine.

The team is together at last and enjoying lunch at one of our favorite argentine restaurants .

Osvaldo, Maria, Sergio and Alex making sure we have all the right items to fuel our team for a successful climb.

An excited team of Aconcagua climbers!

Longtime Berg Adventure climbers and good friends Doc Martin from North Carolina and Dennis Comfort from Seattle travelled to Argentina together to stand side by side on this great mountain.

Resting and reflecting on route to Confluencia Camp

Jean-Pierre enjoying Confluencia Camp

Plaza de Mulas is a great place to spend our first few nights. Climbers can enjoy many things at Base Camp and one of our favorites is the local Argentine wine!

We even have movie night at Plaza de Mulas!

Simon at Plaza Canada – Our Camp I

Martial and Marie-Jo enjoying Plaza Canada

Rafael having fun at Plaza Canada

No matter what challenges she faces Margaret always has a big smile on her face!

The team in our dinning tent at Plaza Canada

Enjoying pancakes and Canadian maple syrup at 4,910m(16,108ft)!

Arriving back at camp Cananda after a long day of hiking to our cozy North Face Tents and hot tea!

Wally calls into the Berg Adventures office in Alberta Canada to give updates on how the team is doing.

Life at camp isn’t always what it seems to be!

But we enjoy it anyways!

Osvaldo arrives at Nido de Condors camp to drop gear

Arriving at Nido de Condors to find Maria had hot soup waiting to warm us up!

Waking up to polar-like conditions on Aconcagua. Wind and snow make for very challenging climbing conditions.

The team takes on very challenging weather to attempt the ultimate goal – reaching the top of the Western Hemisphere.

Our Aconcagua Summit Team knows the importance of proper layers. Marie-Jose, Rafael, Simon and Margaret along with their guides had very tough conditions during summit day and the proper gear was essential for their success!

We are constantly reminded how great this mountain truly is! Until next year Aconcagua!

Every January, we start our new year with a climb of South America’s highest peak, Aconcagua. Standing at a jaw-dropping 22,841ft/6,961m, Aconcagua is a true mountaineering challenge that requires strength, endurance and careful acclimatization. The climb is beautiful and full of excitement – a perfect adventure!

A beautiful day for a climb

The sheer magnitude of Aconcagua makes it a great destination for anyone looking to gain expedition experience and also exposure to a high altitude climb. Those with their eyes set on Himalayan climbs will find our Aconcagua expedition to be a valuable part of their training and preparation.

Aconcagua

A lunar landscape high on the mountain

At Berg Adventures we always offer the highest standards in the industry. Our Aconcagua expedition is certainly no exception to this rule. Camps are comfortable and stocked with the highest quality of gear and supplies. Our guides and porters will carry all group gear, but if you also want someone to carry your personal gear, private porters are available. We do not hire porters when we arrive in Argentina, instead as bring in our experienced and professional Bolivian team of guides and porters so make sure you let us know in advance!

Osvaldo carries a big load.

Food on the mountain is exceptional and we pride ourselves on offering a wide variety of fresh foods. Favorites on Aconcagua include Taco Night, pancakes (with real maple syrup!) and hamburgers (no easy feat for our cooks at above 18,000ft/5480m). Hydration is important at altitude, so make sure that clean water is readily available to climbers and we serve plenty of hot drinks throughout the day to keep you moving and feeling good.

Aconcagua is different every season and weather is always an important factor that we consider for our summit attempt. We get detailed forecasts every day and try to time our summit attempts just right. At the end of the day, however, the mountain always has the final say so patience is important. That’s what makes Aconcagua so exciting and humbling. Join us in January to see for yourself!

Aconcagua from a lookout early in the trip

Plaza Canada Camp

Looking down at Plaza Canada

To learn more about the climb, visit our Aconcagua homepage or contact our office. To hear about last year’s climb check out the archived dispatches and read Howard Stockburger’s trip summary on the Meet a BAI Climber page.

We’d like to introduce Howard Stockburger, a Berg Adventures climber and member of our 2012 Aconcagua Expedition. He sent us a great recount of this year’s climb that we are happy to share with you. Read Howard’s article and visit other BAI climbers on the Meet a BAI Climber page.

Aconcagua climber Howard Stockburger

To plan your own Aconcagua adventure, visit the Aconcagua homepage or contact our office to get the latest Aconcagua brochure.

Sitting down and enjoying a delicious meal while watching a roseate sunset at Aconcagua’s Berlin High Camp after a challenging day of climbing—It may not be for everyone, but for those who cherish the outdoors and love the rush of exercise-induced endorphins surging through their tired muscles, it is heaven. Aconcagua is known for being temperamental, but with a little patience, a little perseverance and a little luck, it is an incredibly exciting adventure!

Along the summit ridge the views are priceless.

As one of the 7 summits, Aconcagua is the highest in South America. In fact, it is the highest mountain in both the Southern and Western hemispheres. Standing at a breathtaking 22,841ft/6,962m, the glaciated peak of Aconcagua is a physical and mental challenge well-worth the effort. Trip highlights include hiking along the crest of the Andes as we acclimatize in Penitentes, basking in the sun with a cerveza at Plaza de Mulas Base Camp, slowly climbing over two weeks to the summit of South America, sharing stories with climbers from around the world and relaxing in Argentina’s wine country post-climb. This expedition is an invaluable preparation climb for those with Everest aspirations.

Climbing the mountain and loving it!

Our trusty mules carry our bags to base camp.

While sipping wine in Mendoza is a great contrast to the dusty days of climbing, Berg Adventures strives to offer maximum comfort and “luxury” on the mountain. Our fantastic cook creates delicious meals ranging from Argentine dishes to North American comfort foods using fresh ingredients. Don’t be surprised if you find yourself eating crispy tacos or creamy cheesecake high on the mountain. The attentive and skilled guides, will encourage you, inspire you and keep you safe.

Join us on the mountain this January 14-February 3, 2012. Contact our office today! Email: sara@bergadventures.com, phone: 403-609-4148.

For more information visit the Aconcagua homepage.

From Wally Berg’s dispatch via satellite during our January 2010 trip:

Join our team this January as we attempt to climb one of the “Seven Summits”. Aconcagua is not only very high but also massive and its profile dominates everything in the region. While enjoying the rich culture of Argentina, our climbers will prepare for one of the most beautiful and rewarding expedition climbs in the world.

ACONCAGUA JANUARY 08-28, 2011 — Spots still available.

Read more about our Aconcagua trip and view our previous Aconcagua expedition dispatches.