Reflections from Daniel:
We met our guide, Fermín, in Mendoza on January 8 and spent one night there. On the first day of the expedition (January 9), we reached the starting point at Punta de Vacas after a 2.5-hour drive from Mendoza to Penitentes. It was a hot, sunny day, though cooler than usual because a storm with heavy rainfall had passed through the area the day before, lowering the temperatures.
Pampa de Lenas
The approximately six-hour trek to the first camp, Pampa de Leñas (2,700 m), was pleasant and mostly flat. The camp is located near a river. The following day (January 10), we moved to Casa de Piedras camp (3,300 m). Once again, it was an enjoyable and relatively flat five-hour trek, under a hot sun but with no wind, which was unusual. We received a warm welcome and were served excellent food.
A Mountain Trip team crosses the Vacas river, immedately outside of Casa Piedra camp.
On the next day (January 11), we started the hike to Base Camp (Plaza Argentina) at 6:30 a.m., including a crossing of a small river by mule. The altitude gain was greater this time, as we ascended from 3,300 m to 4,200 m. The trek was slightly more demanding but very enjoyable, with beautiful landscapes throughout.
Base Camp is well organized. Supplies are delivered daily by mules and helicopter. Facilities include hot showers, dry toilets, and water for washing clothes, in addition to drinking water. Meals are served three times a day, and the food quality is excellent. The staff is welcoming and friendly, and two doctors are stationed at the camp. It is a bustling place, with many climbers arriving and departing each day. Climbers typically spend four days here for acclimatization.
We were fortunate to have one tent each during our stay. Our group consisted of two climbers, plus our excellent Argentine guide, Fermín. The second day at Base Camp was a rest day, spent walking around, chatting with each other, and calling family and friends on WhatsApp. Since last year, all camps have internet access via Starlink.
MT teams share amazing meals in the dining tent at base camp!
On the third day (January 13), we carried part of our equipment to the next camp. I carried a load of 14 kg. This camp is simply called Camp 1. We rested there for two hours before returning to Base Camp for another two nights. The trek to Camp 1 was more demanding, especially the final section, which had a steep gradient and unstable terrain covered with loose pebbles. Fortunately, the weather was once again excellent—sunny and windless. There was no snow at Camp 1, which is located at an altitude of 4,920 m.
A MT climber navigates through “penitentes” ascending to Camp 1.
On the fourth day at Base Camp (January 14), we underwent a thorough medical checkup. I was diagnosed with pharyngitis and continued taking antibiotics, which had been prescribed by the doctor on the day of our arrival at Base Camp. Aside from that, everything was fine.
