Aconcagua

This post is part of a series about summiting Aconcagua in Argentina, a place that has been in my dreams since 2017, and will include stage 2, Arrival, part of a 4-stages adventure. Although I refer to it as an “adventure”, I cannot emphasize how much I day dream on “feeling” places like this and the energy to be received when getting there with others… and how HARD it is to walk uphill for so long (based on Pico Duarte). I will have a clearer picture about the hard part when I get there!

In this post, an itinerary that has me and some friends heading to said mountain. Because the trip will happen in the far future, I can’t tell from where each of us will fly to Chile, but we’ll meet up at the airport and stay close to the base of the mountain afterwards. Starting from Chile’s international airport, Comodoro Arturo Merino (SCL), to Parque Provincial Aconcagua in Mendoza, Argentina.

2) Arrival:

Landing in Chile (SCL) and staging in Aconcagua (Mendoza, ARG)

Destination: Parque Provincial Aconcagua, ARG

Directions

Get on Autopista Vespucio Norte/Ruta 70 from Armando Cortinez Pte and Armando Cortinez Oriente (4min, 2.6mi)
Take Autopista Los Libertadores/Ruta 57 and Ruta 60 to RN7 in Luján de Cuyo, Argentina (2hrs 23min, 108mi)

Time elapsed: 4hrs

Days estimate: 2

Cost: $3,000

Distance in vehicle: 115mi

Distance hiked: n/a

Elevation gained: n/a

Elevation: n/a

Notes: Immigration processes in Chile and crossing the border into Argentina can/will add to the allotted time in this stage, two hours and a day added as a “safety buffer”. Hotel or mountain lodge accommodation prior to proceeding to stage 3, Mountaineering, will be selected as this trip evolves in the future.

In the name of giving credit to whom it is due, please enjoy Casey’s experience in Aconcagua below!