Cordon de Ansilta ascent, San Juan. Peak No. 4 (5150 masl)

Proposal

Mountains paradise

It is at the western end of the Calingasta Valley, a few kilometers from the town of Barreal and about 100 km north of Uspallata, in Mendoza. The Ansilta mountain range runs from north to south, in a framework of valleys and surprising elevations, and has 7 peaks over 5,000 meters above sea level. Our expedition proposes to go into large valleys to set up high altitude camps and try to summit Peak 4 at 5150 meters above sea level.

Itinerary

Day 1: BARREAL. Meeting in the town of Barreal in the afternoon. In Barreal, preparation of the team, last-minute purchases and we accommodate ourselves in a local accommodation: in a hostel, rooms to share (ask for another alternative). Dinner and overnight.

Day 2: Camp 1. Breakfast. Transfer to Los Morillos (2500 masl). We separated the equipment for the mules and began to walk towards our first camp. Ascent through a large valley towards the Ansilta mountain range. With stops and a slow pace. Lunch on the way. We will look for the most appropriate place in the valley to set up our first high altitude camp, at about 3,300 meters above sea level. Set up of the camp. We continue with our hydration and acclimatization process. Dinner and overnight.

Day 3: Base Camp. We set up camp and head towards our second and last camp, the base camp. At 4000 meters there is a suitable place, with snowfields to melt and get liquid. Set up of the camp. Hydration, dinner and sleep.

Day 4: Base Camp. Day of rest. Practice of crampons and technical material. Hydration, dinner and an early night.

Day 5: SUMMIT ATTEMPT. After having breakfast and getting up very early (at dawn) and if the weather conditions are ok, we will try to ascend to Peak 4 of Ansilta. Options not to go to the summit and explore the bottom of the valley. Return to base camp in the afternoon.

Day 6: Camp 1. Disarmed the camp and descent to camp 1.

Day 7: LOS MORILLOS/BARREAL Last day of the hike. Descent to Los Morillos and from there transfer to Barreal, to stay again at the hostel. Showers, toasts and farewell dinner. End of our services.

Day 8: We have breakfast. End in Barreal. From here it will be possible to return home or continue exploring the area. Options for those who stay: visit the El Leoncito National Park and the great astronomical observatories, rafting on the Los Patos River, sand yachting, etc.

Elevation Profile

Included Services

Mules to transport general equipment to the camps.
Local transfers (Barreal-Los Morillos-Barreal).
Permanent coordination + guides.
Overnight in wild camps and/or posts.
High mountain tents.
2 Nights in Barreal in cabins and/or hostel.
Satellite phone for emergencies.
All meals, from dinner on Day 1 to breakfast on Day 8.
General camp logistics (pots, heaters, VHF, communication elements).
Prior advice.

Services NOT included

Air/bus to San Juan-Mendoza.
Transfer to Barrel.
Drinks in Barreal (then there is water on the mountain)

Note

Program subject to weather, geographic or political conditions. Modifications of the same can occur on the fly depending on circumstances and various factors. The decisions will be made exclusively by the guides, baqueanos and coordinators.

Expedition backpack on the shoulder. There are permanent unevennesses, between forests and high passes. You have to carry your own backpack with personal equipment and a bag of group food. Semi-technical terrain. The nights are in wild areas (without toilets), in tents and/or stalls. Possible porterage of equipment with animals the first section.

March lunches (cold meals): Milanesa (tradional Argentine beef cut) and tomato sandwiches, sandwiches, snacks, salads, tapas, etc.
Dinners: Vegetable stews-bacon-red chorizo, chicken and vegetable casseroles, pasta with various sauces or stew, roasted meat, Chow Fan, chicken with rice, pizzas.
Breakfasts and snacks: Tea, Coffee, Cappuccino, Mate Cocido, Mate, Milk powder; bread, cookies, jam, honey, dulce de leche; cereals, fruit.
Individual bag with energetic snacks: Nougats, bars, nuts, chocolates, alfajores, candies, others.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is it a climb with difficulty?

It does not have technical difficulty but it does have physical and altitude difficulties. The terrain is gravelly (stony) and with little path. It is a very isolated area.

Do I need to be trained?

For any mountain activity you need to have prior physical preparation, or be physically active.

Do I need to have previous experience?

It is important to have some previous experience in different treks. We recommend having good physical condition, and knowing that the modality is with a backpack, and you spend the night in a wild camp. The summit day is intense.

Where do you spend the night?

The overnight stay takes place in mountain camps in igloo-type tents, comfortable and for 2/3 people.

Do I have to bring a tent?

The tents are included in the service.

What is the weather or temperature?

Although the time of year is summer, in mountainous and/or rugged areas temperatures tend to drop at night.

Are rest stops made?

The stops occur with a frequency and graduation according to the intensity. There are stops for lunch, snack, and rest.

From what age can they do this activity?

From 16 years of age.

How much does the backpack weigh?

In a woman a range of 13 to 15 kilos, in a man from 15 to 20 kilos.

Is there a porter service?

Yes, up to Camp 1, with mules. Likewise, each one moves with their backpack carrying personal equipment and something from the group (tents, food, etc.)

Difficulty Graduation System

Click on each indicator to see details

60%

Backpack (M)

Backpack: Weight / Duration of the Day.

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80%

Physical (F)

Physical demand

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60%

Technical (T)

Technician: Difficulty in the Field / Equipment.

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60%

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

EQUIPMENT LIST

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

FOOT WEAR

High mountain boots (synthetic or plastic double boots
Trekking shoes

BASE LAYER (First skin)

Underwear.
Cotton t-shirts (to be in the camp and to sleep)
T-shirts and/or synthetic short-sleeved shirts
Synthetic shirts with long sleeves
Pants or leggings made of polypropylene or similar (not cotton). To wear as warm indoor pants
Thin gloves made of polypropylene or similar (not cotton)
Fleece cap
Pairs of synthetic thin socks (not cotton)
Buff neck

MIDDLE LAYER