Hello, I would like to share my experience with you, my name is Nicolas, I turned 25 during my climb of Aconcagua. I shared my birthday with some of the most incredible people i've ever had the pleasure to meet. People from all over the world who in no other circumstance would find themselves together. The kitchen staff managed to bake a cake for me and we celebrated fully.
There were of course highs and lows and on reaching the 6000 metre mark I was faced with my a difficult question and to go up or to go down. With the support of my amazing guides and team... I was able to reach the summit and also help others to get to the top.
It is an adventure that should not be underestimated... but for the brave who venture, you will be rewarded with views you've only seen in films and return with an energy that will see you succeed in so many other factors of life.
The organisation that Aconcagua Expeditions provided allowed me to completely leave the world for 3 weeks to focus on this one thing. A challenge so pure, so honest, so difficult and so enjoyable that I cannot recommend it enough.
I vaguely remember the slog up the Cannaletta (Aconcagua) - a drag lift might have been quite handy. As suggested - the main route down involved a lot of 'scree-skiing' but it's not a route I would recommend for the feinthearted.
The lack of any lifts made it very difficult to get my skis to the summit and after the initial 1000 metre free fall you really have to make your first turn a good one. The next 5000 metres are pretty basic but they really need some trail maps as it's easy to get lost and a bar at the bottom would be great.