The adventurers in the Aconcagua
The 2009 – 2010 season was a good season, with a slight decline of mountaineers and trekkers increased. Last season there were 4048 mountaineers seeking the highest peak in America, this was 3712. The number of climbers grew non-Argentine (3317, 89.36%). The Argentine accounted for 395 (10.64%). Like last year, the first two weeks of January were the busiest, 504 in the first and 482 in the second. The lowest were the first two weeks of March with just nine people in each.
With regard to trekking in total 3384 people entered (2625 last year). The weeks most were the second and third week of January with 302 and 371 respectively. Discrimination: Trekking per day 1369 (691 Argentine, 50.47%; 678 non-Argentine, 49.53%), short trek 1544 (846 Argentine, 54.79%, 698 non-Argentine, 45.21%) and trekking along 471 (291 Argentine, 61.78%, 180 non-Argentine, 38.22%). Compared with last season: 805 days Trekking, hiking and trekking short 1368 long 436.
There were no major changes regarding the nationalities of most visitors to the Aconcagua Provincial Park. Adding all the activities, the figures are as follows: Argentina 2223, United States 760, Germany 380, France 379, Canada 355, England 345, Spain 338, Brazil 257, Poland 233, Switzerland 157 and Italy 143, among others.
This season there were fewer evacuees and one died. Unfortunately, a Thai American citizen died a few meters from the top.
View of the south face of Aconcagua
Photo: M. Marques
The historic cross the summit of Aconcagua unmistakable, was stolen by unknown hands. While at other times the wind had dropped, in this case did not recover so it follows was taken by someone unscrupulous. Made of aluminum by the Air Force in the 60s, there is already a replacement.
Promotion of interest
The ascent of the year, which has been widespread, was the American’s Chad Kellogg in December 2009. Appointed Medicine Buddha (VI WI4 M4), ending at Filo del Guanaco without reaching the summit. Some sources give no credence to reports of Kellogg, even aspects of the ascent on Aconcagua. This writer has no evidence as to reach the truth about the controversy if it really existed.
Mariano Galvan, a young climber Argentine author of interesting promotions in the Aconcagua and its satellites, reached the South Wall solo Route Messner French version starting on 11 February. It is the first Argentine to climb the South alone, taking 34 hours. With the essentials in the backpack bivouacked without tents with very low temperatures.
Also in February, the Argentine Gabriel Fava and Hannibal Maturano up original French Route 1954 to the Southern Wall. Evidence of the difficulty was the beginning of frostbite in the fingers Fava which successfully recovering.
Plaza de Mulas is filled with climbers from around the world.
Photo: M. Marques
In the Horn of 5462 Mount meters, during February the Argentine Jorge Aguiló Thomas Ackermann and open a direct route on the South Wall which has 500 meters of altitude 90 ° WI5.
On the exploratory side, renowned mountaineer and explorer Antonio de Nigris Beorchia in January led a group on horseback, which starting from the north, from the province of San Juan managed to reach the headwaters of the Rio Volcan the ultimate source of Rio San Juan 4300 m on the northern slopes of Cerro Cuerno. It is quite possibly the first expedition around the local sports desolate landscapes.
Tribute to the Bicentennial of the May Revolution
To commemorate the milestone of the development of our country, the Bicentennial of the May Revolution, a group of renowned mountaineers Mendoza won permission to climb the Aconcagua off-season. One of them, Luciano Badino reach the summit alone, Argentina erecting a flag and singing the anthem. The director of the expedition, Horacio Cunietti, 53 promotions to American Colossus