Aconcagua: Highest Trek in the World - A Trekker's Guidebook

Complete guide to climbing Aconcagua (6962m), highest peak outside the Himalayas and one of the most accessible. Route descriptions up the Normal and Vacas Valley (Polish Glacier) routes, plus trekking routes in the Argentinian and Chilean southern Andes. Copious practical information on preparation and strategies for the ascent.

The availability of accurate ordnance maps of Aconcagua is poor, and there were none at all until 2003. The campsites at Plaza de Mulas and Confluencia have been moved, and bridges built in recent years. Older maps may not show them accurately. The outline of glaciers on older maps no longer reflects the real situation on the ground.

At the permit office in Mendoza you can buy a photomap, published by the Instituto Geografico Militar, that shows the mountain from the air and denotes the various sites, but the quality is poor. In 2003 they also published a map of Aconcagua that sells for $5.

The equivalent institute of geography in Santiago, Chile, on the other hand, with the same name, is an excellent establishment, where accurate ordnance maps can be purchased. It is located at Diecocho 369, opposite the Toesca metro.

The best map of Aconcagua is issued by Inka Expediciones, and sells at $15.

A 1:50,000 map of Aconcagua is published by Cordee, Leicester, England. The map shows the Normal route only, but its accuracy has been questioned.

The South American Explorers Club publishes a small map in black and white, entitled Aconcagua – Summit of the Americas by Ed Darack. It has useful data, but is a poor substitute for a proper map.

Omni Resources publish four old ordnance maps that would have to be cut up and put together, but these cost over $120 plus postage and are not up-to-date. Photocopies of the same maps – a much cheaper option – are available from Segemar (Servicio Geologico Minero Argentino).