Derek Rich

My Adventures Around the World Derek Rich

Beginning the expedition in the tree lined streets of Mendoza, the team headed into the heart of the Andes on the way to the foot of Aconcagua. We avoided the busier Ruta Normal and instead followed the Vacas Valley on the approach to the mountain, gradually getting introduced to the thin mountain air along the way. Three days of trekking, fording rivers, and navigating twisting valleys brought us to the base of Aconcagua's hidden east side where the climbing began. From the Base Camp at Plaza Argentina we followed the Guanacos Variation. We established three successive camps on the mountain, navigating the mountain's sprawling rock moraines and towering snow penitentes as we climbed to high camp at 19,600 feet on the mountain's northeastern side. Once properly acclimatized the team set out on our summit bid, climbing past the looming rock gendarmes, beneath the cliffs guarding its summit, and up the narrow Canaleta couloir to Aconcagua's summit. Did we make it through the wind, cold, and thin mountain air? This was my winter adventure during the months of December and January as I sought to conquer the third of the 7 summits (my previous adventures led me to successfully climb Kilimanjaro and Mt Elbrus).