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The Aconcagua can be seen to 180 km from the city of Mendoza from the road between Argentina and Chile. It is no international boundary, as the waters, according to the system of "divertium Aquarium" paid entirely to the Argentine territory. The Aconcagua is not a volcano, is a broad pedestal of marine sediments covered by a mass volcanic massif is a high culminating in two peaks, north and south, which is the highest in the north. Nearby is a large number of peaks over 5,000 meters, in which it is possible to apply all sorts of techniques, from simple to climb rock and ice climbing. In the Valley of Horcones, we have the Horn Hill 5462 mts. almost entirely covered with eternal ice, then we have the Tolosa 5430 mts.; Cathedral of 5535 mts.; bonnet of 5.100mts; Mexico of 5083 mts. and warehouses of 4510 meters.In the Valley of the Lower Horcones are the hills 5.200mts Ibanez, Mount Lookout 5.800mts, among the highest In the Valle de Vacas, are the Santa Maria, 5,100 meters., The Dome of 5,250 mts. The climate is cold and dry throughout the year and the above-mentioned are in the form of escarchilla and snow, mainly in the winter. The winds are usually strong and violent. From the Pacific climate receives most influenced by the action of the Pacific anticyclone generates westerly winds. A few meters from the first ranger station and the international route you can visit one of the most exotic lagoons in the province of Mendoza, the Horcones Lake by its bluish color temperature and high altitude. It focuses a lot of animals typical of the area and park wild plants of all kinds These winds rise and collided with the mountains of the Andes are cool and precipitate their moisture as snow. The Chilean coast is affected by two distinct currents, the Humboldt, which is cold and bathes the shores of the northern sector, and the Patagonian temperate, the southern sector. .
  Aconcagua

Both as the source of the wind influence in the area but to a much greater extent the district from southwest winds. A few meters from the first ranger station and the international route you can visit one of the most exotic lagoons in the province of Mendoza, La Laguna de Horcones by its bluish color temperature and high altitude. It focuses a lot of animals typical of the area and park wild plants of all kinds. The vegetation is concentrated in the lower parts of the Park (2500m-3500m), and has remarkable adaptations to extreme weather and high altitudes. Open grasslands predominate as coirones Huecú and shrub and brush as yareta, goat horn and wood yellow. These plants look stunted and cushion plants. Among the animals observed small flocks of guanacos, red foxes, pumas, chinchillones, mice and exotic mountain hare castilla Other species such as guanacos, pumas and foxes have the capacity to migrate to lower regions at the time The condor with a wingspan of nearly three meters and a height that remain perched above 90 inches is considered the largest flying bird, flying over the valleys with remarkable skill. He just in itself constitutes a great attraction for visitors.
 
 
 
 


The Mount Aconcagua (6,962 m) is a mountain in the Andes, is located in the province of Mendoza in Argentina whose coordinates are: 69 º 59 'west longitude and 32 º 39' South Latitude. Mendoza, is located at 750 m.s.n.m. This province is located in west-central Argentina. People who want to know the Aconcagua Mendoza must reach, this has an international airport and all transportation".

Aconcagua Map

The Aconcagua is the center of attraction for mountaineers and hikers from all over the world and that includes the highest mountain in the Western Hemisphere, Aconcagua in 6969m.snm Aconcagua Park was declared a protected area in 1983 to preserve the flora and fauna Andean archaeological material. The name Aconcagua, has several meanings in Spanish. The most recognized design comes from the Quechua language and means "Stone Sentinel." In the Aymara language is known as "Monte Nevado." Aconcagua is the highest mountain in the Southern Hemisphere is wanted for his physical and mental demands, its climate, also to enter the seven thousand circuit, as well as to prepare for other peaks in the Himalayas. Aconcagua is the goal of climbers from all over the world. The Aconcagua is presented as a mountain with diverse geographical features are the south side with its high vertical walls and hanging glaciers and the path more difficult. The northern route or normal being the most popular is a well marked path and finally found the route east of the Polish Glacier.

Aconcagua-Small 8000 mt

Many international guidelines and experts compare the Aconcagua climbers to the Himalayas and to climb the Aconcagua has a psychological and physiological demands such as the rise of a hill 8,000 meters.
Weather conditions in the Central Andes, at the same height, are much more severe in the Himalayas. For example, in this chain, vegetaci6n reaches 5,000 meters, unlike in the Central Andes as the vegetation cover, hardly reaches 3.500mts.
In the Aconcagua, the relative humidity is very low and the percentage of oxygen also decreases by the same reazon. The winds produce low pressure areas that intensify these effects.

 

  
 
 
 

The Horcones Valley is used to approach the normal route, and the lower part is used as the initial approach to the routes of the south face.

This approach begins at the Horcones Lake, here is a park rangers office, who will check your permit and hand over litter bags; the trekking begins here.

Until you reach the west bank of the Horcones River that rapidly crosses to the east bank across a footbridge and the trail stays on this side for 8 Km, which is the point where the Inferior Horcones River joins the Superior Horcones River.

The Inferior Horcones River is crossed through a footbridge, as soon as you cross this second bridge you must turn left to reach Confluencia.
 
You can pass Confluencia turning right after you cross the second bridge. The trail stays on the east side of the Horcones River, passing a wet meadow, followed by Piedra Grande. At 12 Km from Confluencia enters from the right the Quebrada del Sargento Mas. Passing this point we find Playa Ancha. The Ibañez campsite is found at the end of Playa Ancha.

Colombia refuge which is destroyed construction, it might be necessary to make at least 5 vados. Then the trail makes a continuos ascent of 2 Km. (the rough ascent) up to the new Plaza de Mulas.

Plaza de Mulas is the traditional base camp of the Normal Route.
The Refuge Hotel is found at 1 Km. west from Plaza de Mulas.