::::: Name :::::

Aconcagua. It is discuss whether it comes from Araucanian or Mapuche Aconca-Hue or Cahuak Ackon Quechua. The latter name means "Stone Sentinel."

::::: Place :::::

Province of Mendoza (Andes).

::::: Zone :::::

Midwest: 69 º 59 'west longitude and 32 º 39' South Latitude.

WP MDA for GARMIN:

Aconcagua - Normal Route - rrivadeneira.gdb

::::: Altitude :::::

6.962 m.s.n.m. (22,834 ft) In May, 2001, a group of scientits of the expeditionary team italoargentino of the geologist Giorgio Poretti determined by means of modern teams of global position (GPS) and of terrestrial topography that the precise altitude of the Aconcagua had to be corrigida in two meters over the established value of 6959,75 meters till then from 1956.

His measurement estimated the height in 6961,83 meters on the level of the sea.

One was provided with the most precise terrestrial instruments of the moment (tachymeters Leica T2002/DI3000) and the most advanced systems of geodesy GPS (Leica GPS530). This measurement confirmed the estimations realized by satellite in 1989, which were determining an altitude of 1962/-5 m.

It is *1 of America, the highest peak of Argentina and of the world out of Asia.

::::: Calendar :::::

December to March.

::::: Temperature :::::

Still with good weather (in summer) 5.000 register in the night on m.s.n.m. temperatures of-20 ° C (-0,4th F).

In the top the common temperature is-30 ° C (-22nd F). But when the Aconcagua is visited by the bad weather and by the air masses of the South, in Square of Mules an approximate temperature of-18 is supported ° C (-0,4th F), whereas in the camps of height it is common to have-25 ° C (-13th F).

Current temperature and prognosis extended in Mendoza.

::::: Galleries :::::

1. Galería de Imágenes MDA: Travesía a Plaza Argentina 2010
2. Galería de imágenes seleccionadas por MDA - Argentina's Mountains
3. Aconcagua.org
4. Imágenes de Google
5. Imágenes de Google: Plaza Argentina
6. Imágenes de Bing
7. Imágenes de Altavista

Creo que es el mejor video de la cumbre vía Punta de Vacas, acá verán la que actualmente es la meta MDA 2011, el C3 Aconcagua Summit 2010 - 22,841 ft

::::: Mountain shelters :::::

Normal Route:

1. 4000 meters-Shelter "Army of the Andes" - destroyed by avalanches.
2. 4230 meters. Refugio Plaza de Mulas "(Section Explorers Baqueanos), sleeps 6 / 8 people. There is water on site. There is also a hotel / lodge.
3. 5300 meters. Refugio "Antarctica Argentina", sleeps 3 people - was destroyed.
4. 5700 meters. Refugio Plantamura "and" Freedom ", capacity 3 / 4 persons each.
5. 5700 meters. Refugio "Berlin."
6. 6,500 meters. Refugio "Independencia", capacity 3 / 4 people (shelter stable world's highest). Semi-destroyed.
   
   Polish Route (By point of Cows):
   

1. M.s.n.m. 2800 Pampa de Lenas.
2. M.s.n.m. 3200 Stone house. There is drinking water.
3. M.s.n.m. 4200 Plaza Argentina. No water, unless a service is contracted.

::::: Wild life :::::

Despite his harsh environmental conditions, Aconcagua presents a variety of plant and animal life adapted to the climate.

In the summer months the vegetation has a showy flower that surprises visitors with different forms and prevalence of the yellow color, which is short due to inclement weather. To shelter from the wind and cold and intense sunlight of summer, some plants look stunted and cushion-shaped clumps, as yareta, goat horn, where most volume is buried, and yellow wood, with heights that can reach heights up to 3m. In the area dominated by open grassland and as coirones Huecú.

Among the rocks and up to an altitude of 4300m perennial herbs can be found as the tail of armadillo and rosette. In streams and springs are concentrated plains and moist soils, locally known as the "Forest of the Andes Aggregates" for having a great biodiversity in vegetation cover can be seen rushes, sedges and various species of grasses.

The animals that inhabit the Aconcagua Park have different strategies to cope with the environment. Mammals have rounded and smooth, dense coat that harbors and protects allowing them to adapt to sudden temperature changes of this extreme environment. The guanacos, pumas and foxes have the ability to move to lower regions are favorable to them in times of snow. In the case of mountain mice and other sedentary species such as alligators, lizards and toads hibernate saves energy and moving only during the day and unable to travel long distances.

Among the reptiles, the Andean toad, endemic to this mountain range, is of particular interest as it indicates the purity of water. The avifauna is diverse, sighting examples of very small birds like the Andean hummingbird, and other like hawks larger kill me and the emblematic Andean condor. The most daring to human presence as comesebo, roadside, widow, and chingolos gauchito are commonly seen in the basement of the Park camp. The meadows, streams and rivers are populated by waterfowl like duck crest, the stream and the Plover headband.

::::: Food :::::

The basis of the forces of climbers passed largely by good nutrition.

The recommended calorie source is divided mainly between carbohydrates (sugars), fat (animal and plant) and protein.

Food should be easily digestible, palatable, easy to carry, not too heavy, not too bulky and wide variety.

We eat at a leisurely pace, chew well and not in abundance, but enough.

+

::::: Statistics :::::

Report of the Government of Mendoza to End the Season 2001/2002.

According to official reports, the total number of entrants to the Aconcagua Provincial Park during the 2001/2002 season were as follows: Persons admitted to climbing to the summit:

3378 persons admitted for trekking to base camp, 1056.

A 87.86% were foreigners and 12.14% of Argentines.

United States was the country that brought more people for promotion, following then Germany and England third.

:::::First Summit :::::

The first ascent of which the news was made in 1897 by a British expedition led by Briton Edward Fitzgerald. The summit was reached by Mathias Zurbriggen of Switzerland on 14 January and two other expedition members a few days later.

The first Argentine to reach the summit was Nicholas Plantamura, belonging to the Argentine Army, the March 8, 1934, the first French woman was Adriana Bance, 7 March 1940, who ascended accompanied by members of the Club Andino de Mendoza.

You should also mencionarce that from 1942 the main woman mountaineer in the Andes was the Swiss Dorly Marmillod who with her husband, died frozen in the Alps in 1954. His career andinística (always with her husband), was impressive climbing in Chile, Venezuela, Colombia, Peru and Argentina.

The summary of his career in our mountains is as follows: in February 1948, Aconcagua, in later years, Tupungato, 6550 m, Sierra Bella, 5230 m (2nd ascent) Fingers, 4960 m (2nd ascent), Cerro Mexico, 5000 m, Aconcagua (1st ascent with Lt. southwestern edge. Ibañez and F. Grajales), Cerro Lopez, and Tronador Bariloche, 3370 meters.

That is why Dorly Marmillod is entitled to be regarded a leading mountaineers of the world.

On the first ascent of the South Wall was held on February 25, 1954 by the French Pierre Lesueuer, Adrien Dagory, Edmond Denis, Robert Paragot, Lucien Berardini and Guy Poulet. The head of the expedition was Rene Ferlet.

From December 24, 2010, the 3,000 meters in the south wall of the Aconcagua has a new route, solo for the U.S. Open Chad Kellog.
Climbing in 42 hours, was dubbed "The Medicine Buddha." He had arrived with his friend Tom Milne and reached the summit along the ridge west ... just to acclimate.

::::: Leyends :::::

INCA LEGEND OF BRIDGE

Inti, the sun was the god of the Inca Inca Empire and its direct descendant. His authority was greater than that of a king and that he was considered the son of Sun and its mission was to rule and protect its people.

Inca Once there was a very generous, loved his people wishing all a rich and sovereign rule. Equally worried about the problems of daily life to travel around their territory from one extreme to another, trying to conquer new lands. Continuing the tradition of their ancestors never invaded a territory by force. First invited people to join their domains, but instead offered to teach them to plant and they would lack ensured that no soil or food. Thus it was hardly necessary to struggle.

One day the Inca fell gravely ill. Neither the priests nor the sorcerers were able to discover how bad it was, the son of Inti increasingly worsened and all feared for his life. Until one afternoon, the runners who ran quickly from one post to another, transmitting the news from town to town, warned the servants of the Inca, in the south there was a remedy that could cure him. They immediately began preparations for the journey along the mountain range and when all was ready, set out from Cuzco, capital of the Empire, in search of this precious remedy.

One of the things I most proud of the Incas, were stone pathways extending throughout its territory. For they walked through valleys and mountains, and when night came, camped around, inns which stood on the side of the road. Inside the inn lay the Inca for strength.

Not discouraged at any time despite the hard and long journey, a hope stronger than all that, encouraged and encouraged to move forward. He loved his king and wished fervently to recover health quickly.

They continued the march for many days until finally they found the source of a river that ran parallel to the road and continued in that direction. The water came down in torrents raising clouds of fine drops to crash into the rocks and the turbulent flow noise broke the silence of the imposing mountain range. The pilgrims on their way up to a point where the river changed its course in a sharp bend east, closing the passage. Hence the flow was much deeper and made it impossible to stream crossing to the other side.

They stopped and camped determined to find a place where to pass. Thus they formed groups led by a guide and taking turns, while others roamed around the area rested trying to find the passage. Unfortunately they were not successful and the groups became increasingly discouraged from his expeditions, until I finally gave up.

Then they formed a council to decide what to do and after much discussion and exchange of ideas, came to the sad conclusion that they should return. Overwhelmed, they thought that their monarch exhausted by the trip could not resist the return and was probably never again see his beloved Cuzco.

Prepared to spend the night there, to start the next day return. They surrounded the Inca trying to be more together and united than ever, to give each other the courage and strength they needed to return and how to protect themselves from this great pain that was invading moment to moment.

Meanwhile Inti the Sun, which was to hide on the horizon, he saw what was happening. The feat that the Incas were able to make love for their monarch, did not escape the sight of God and wanted to reward the dedicated fervor of this group of subjects. Then consult with Mama Quilla, the moon, and the two decided to help immediately.

At dawn the next day, the Incas, between asleep and awake, they were frightened face, a bridge built across the road pointed them. The gods had built enough to stay. Full of joy started walking again with new hope.

They had far to go yet and the Inca grew more and more, not even opened my eyes to see their people as before, no words came out of his mouth and slept constantly. Forced to make many stops on the way because he tired easily, the march became slower and more painful, but not falter at any time.

Finally they came to the right place, at once the tasks were distributed, while some were looking for medicinal herbs, others built a large tent to house his monarch and install everything needed for healing.

It was in vain all the extraordinary effort they spent on the Inca soon began to improve visibly to the delight of all. Happy started back with songs and prayers of thanks to the gods. The messengers ran quickly in front of them carrying the good news. All the people waited anxiously and prepared the great festivals in his honor. The temples were shining, ready for ceremonies and rituals of thanksgiving.

The Inca fully entered the spare capital, the people greeted him warmly and led him to his home. Shortly after the son of Inti reigned in the Empire.

Since then the northwest of the province of Mendoza, where the river flows Las Cuevas, the same as interrupting the passage of pilgrims, stands the Inca Bridge linking the two sides and under his bow still go through the river torrents.

LEGEND ACONCAGUA

Aconcagua, for the primitive inhabitant was the master of all causes and biological secrets. They lived in the area a very ambitious race of giants. In an age where everyone was thirsty and triumphed sand and stone giants conceived the idea of robbing the old titan a grain of its most treasured resource: water.
Behind the god of the summits, the people of giants, climbed its slopes and released water into the plains. When the Aconcagua woke her feet shone in the rosy light of dawn, thousands of rivers of silver.
The giant, furious, he burst the whole of its water container which, with a fearful roar, collapsed inundating the valleys and plains.

Time passed and the streams were channeled. The land is fertilized but still keeps the Aconcagua and decides to avenge his anger by throwing periodically overflowing its slopes leading down to devastate crops and villages across the Rio de los Patos (in Huarpe "Potus").