Ascent Mount Plata (6000 masl) - Vallecitos, Mendoza

Proposal

Dates on request for groups - minimum 4 people.

The mountain everyone sees from the distance...

The Cordón del Plata is the high mountain "school" for the people of Mendoza in particular and for the Argentines in general. At a very short distance (80 km) from Mendoza, Argentina, we have in those mountains one of the few "alpine" landscapes in the country; Where altitude, really big mountains, ice and verticality are combined. It is a midpoint between the great distances and desert smoothness of the high mountains of the Northwest and the concentrated and upright granite masses of Patagonia. Much could be written about geological, historical or romantic aspects of these beautiful mountains, where so many mountaineers of different generations have lots of memories, dreams and first achievements. But let's get to the point from the Andean point of view. Visible in part from the city of Mendoza and even better from the towns to the east and the Uco Valley, from Guaymallén to San Carlos, the people of Mendoza ignore its secrets and many confuse its white moles with Aconcagua or Tupungato. The Cordón del Plata does not belong to the Cordillera del Limit or Cordillera Principal, where the Aconcagua is, nor to the old Precordillera, but is between both, constituting together with the Cordillera del Tigre the so-called Cordillera Frontal. It is geologically the newest, and for this reason its mountains are the most slender in the Central Andes.

Our program invites you to meet them and captivate yourself with their great shadows, trying to reach several of their precious peaks.

Itinerary:

Day 1: Meeting in Mendoza. Last minute purchases. Transfer by charter vehicle to Vallecitos (2,850 m.a.s.l.), about 80 km from the city. In Vallecitos we will settle in a typical mountain refuge where we will spend the night. In the afternoon: short acclimatization walk in the area. Overnight in shelter.

Day 2: This day we will do trekking and ascents to the Lomas Blancas, Arenales and Andresito hills, to continue with the acclimatization. Overnight in shelter.

Day 3: The idea of ??this day is to make an ascent to the Veguitas Superior camp, at 3450 meters above sea level, to continue with the acclimatization period. Options that will define the guides with the group. Overnight in tent.

Day 4: Permanence in Veguitas Superior for acclimatization with short walks and perhaps an attempt to summit Cerro Adolfo Calle (4200 masl). Overnight in tent.

Day 5: Ascent to El Salto camp (4200 masl). acclimatization, hydration Rest. Overnight in tent.

Day 6: Day of acclimatization to altitude. Short walks in the area. Good nutrition and hydration. Team preparation to attempt summit. Overnight in tent.

Day 7: Attempt to summit the Vallecitos or Plata hills (according to group conditions and weather). We leave very early. Very tiring day. Return in the afternoon to El Salto camp. Overnight in tent.

Day 8: Descent to the base of Vallecitos and from there, with our private transport, to the city of Mendoza. End of the expedition and services.

Elevation Profile

Included Services

Transfers to and from the city of Mendoza.
All meals in the mountains (breakfast, energy-snacks, lunches, snacks, dinners).
2 Overnights in refuge
Tents.
Portage with mules to Camp El Salto if possible.
General camping service.
Professional mountain guides.
Satellite Monitoring.
Satellite phone for emergencies.
Previous informative meetings.
Personal accident insurance.
Permanent assistance.

Services NOT included

Personal technical equipment.
Trip to Mendoza (flight tickets)
Tips.

Note

Program with a high degree of demand in the ascents. The height plays its important role, good previous hydration is needed.

Program subject to weather conditions. Modifications to it may occur on the fly depending on circumstances and various factors. The decisions will be made exclusively by the guides and coordinators

March lunches (cold meals): Milanese and tomato sandwiches, cold cut sandwiches, appetizers, salads, tapas, etc.
Dinners: Vegetable-bacon-red chorizo stews, Chicken and vegetable casseroles, Pasta with various sauces or stew, Roast meat (Chivito), Chaw Fan, Chicken with rice in a saucepan....
Breakfasts and snacks: Tea, Coffee, Cappuccino, Mate Cocido, Mate, Milk powder; bread, cookies, jam, honey, dulce de leche; cereals, fruit

It is necessary to complete the personal/medical record to clarify if someone does not eat any type of food.

Where to sleep

Night 1 and 2 in mountain refuges in shared rooms, the rest of the nights in tents in mountain camps without services.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is it a climb with difficulty?

It does not have technical difficulty but it does have physical difficulty with height. It is advisable to have some previous experience in trekking and climbing minor mountains. On the day of the summit, almost 1800 meters of unevenness are completed in ascent and descent.

Do I need to be trained?

Yes. For any mountain activity it is necessary to have previous physical preparation, or to be physically active, but in this case it is advisable to go deeper into the training.

Do I need to have previous experience?

It is advisable to have some previous experience in trekking and climbing minor mountains. On the day of the summit, almost 1800 meters of unevenness are completed in ascent and descent.

Where do you spend the night?

The overnight stay takes place in a mountain refuge, with mattresses, and then in tents. It is necessary to bring a warm mountain sleeping bag.

What is the weather or temperature?

Although the time of year is spring-summer, in Andean and/or wild areas, temperatures tend to drop at night and very early. At the high altitude camp, at 4,200 meters above sea level, temperatures can reach -10°.

Are there rest stops?

The stops are given with a frequency and graduation according to the intensity.

There are stops for lunch, snacks, and rest, not on the day of the summit, where meals are well underway, trying to meet the objective.

How much does the backpack weigh?

In this trekking in the first 3 days we move with little weight, the ascents are round trip in the day. Then we must continue with the expedition backpack, reaching up to 15 kg in women and 20 kg in men approximately.

Difficulty Graduation System

Click on each indicator to see details

60%

Backpack (M)

Backpack: Weight / Duration of the Day.

Clic para detalles

80%

Physical (F)

Physical demand

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40%

Technical (T)

Technician: Difficulty in the Field / Equipment.

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80%

Psycho (P)

Psychological Strength

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80%

Height (A)

Height Exposure

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How to interpret these values?

Each aspect is evaluated from 20% to 100%, where:

20-40%: Basic or beginner level
60%: Intermediate level
80-100%: Advanced or expert level

Only for experienced adventurers

This adventure requires advanced experience and excellent physical condition.

Required equipment

GENERAL EQUIPMENT

Special backpack for trekking (60 to 80 litres).
Warm sleeping bag (-10 degrees comfort, eg 800/1000 gms. of feather-duvet or good synthetic).
Insulating mat (10 to 15mm).
Inflatable insulating mattress (optional).
Pair of trekking sticks.

FOOTWEAR

1 Mountain boots for hills of 5000 meters (not necessarily double).
1 extra trekking shoes.

FIRST LAYER (First skin)

Changes of underwear.
Cotton shirts (to be in the camp and to sleep).
T-shirts and/or short-sleeved synthetic t-shirts.
Long-sleeved synthetic shirt.
Polypropylene pants or leggings or similar (not cotton). To use as warm inner pants.
Thin polypropylene gloves or similar (not cotton).
pairs of thin polypropylene or similar socks (not cotton), in contact with the skin.
Buff type multifunction scarf.

SECOND LAYER (Coat)

Trekking pairs of socks (synthetic-thermal).
Pairs of thick mountain socks.
Some cotton or wool stockings (wool is good for sleeping).
1 long trekking pants.
2 coats (polar type, softshell or similar).
Feather-duvet jacket.
Polar fleece gloves
Warm hat (polar).

THIRD LAYER (windproof and waterproof)

Waterproof jacket (ultrex or gore tex or similar).
Trouser cover (gore tex or similar or ski type).
Third layer gloves or mittens (waterproof and breathable). They can be ski type.
Mountain leggings.

TECHNICAL EQUIPMENT