11-day ascent to Cerro Plata in Central Andes

Come and join certified mountain guide Eduardo for this 11-day ascent to the summit of Cerro Plata, in Central Andes, Mendoza.

Andes

11 Days

Jan - Mar, Dec

High

Intermediate

Description

Cerro Plata is a great option for those who wish to climb a high altitude mountain for the first time or those who want to prepare for something bigger like Aconcagua. This 11-day mountaineering trip is your chance to reach its summit under expert guidance. Join me!

Plata (‎5,968 m) is the highest peak in Cordón del Plata and one of the most accessible peaks in the Central Andes. It is located in the province of Mendoza, in Argentina. Gettin to its summit it is not technically difficult but requires good health and fit.

This 11-day ascent starts from Vallecitos, an old ski station used now as a base for expeditions. We will spend the first night in a friendly mountain hut named Mausy, which offers very good food. The following days we will climb up to Piedra Grande camp and Salto, where we will spend our next 3 nights for acclimatization.

Our 9-day acclimatization plan is designed based on our 12-year experience at the Plata range. We use the ‘Carry high and sleep low’ strategy to increase your chances of summiting.. When we are ready, we will head up from Hoyada to the top of Cerro Plata.

The requirements for joining this expedition are:

– International Travel Insurance

– Multi-day altitude trekking experience

– Good healthy and fitness

So, if you are up for this intense 11-day adventure to the summit of Cerro Plata, in Mendoza, please contact me! I’m sure we’ll enjoy this beautiful high altitude mountaineering expedition together!

I am also offering an amazing tour to the summit of Aconcagua, the highest peak of South America, check it out!

Price includes

Guiding fee
Transportation start and back

Price details

There is the possibility to organize a private trip, but take into account that the price will be higher.
What’s included:
English speaking guide with at least 5 years experience guiding Plata;
1 or 2 assistant mountain guides (EPGAMT/AAGM certification) depending upon number or clients (client per guide ratio = 2/3);
Support on purchase and equipment rental in Mendoza;
Transport from/to airport;
2 nights in a 4 star hotel with breakfast included in Mendoza (rooms for 2)
Night at mountain hut in Vallecitos;
Transport from/to Vallecitos;
Mule transport of a 20kg load to/from basecamp;
Transport/assembly of tents, pots, gas, food, water in all camps in Plata;
Use of toilets tents, mountain tents, medical oxygen, gamow bag and medical kit in all camps;
Breakfast, lunch, dinner, packed lunch, treated water in the whole mountain;
Gas stoves and pots and cups in all camps; ////////////////////////////////
What is NOT included:
Flights from/to Mendoza;
Personal climbing equipment (check equipment tab);
Money return in case you abandon the expedition;
International travel insurance;
Any costs caused by excess luggage (over 20kg);
Lunch and dinner in Mendoza;
Reimbursement for loss or damage of your personal equipment.

Itinerary

Day 1: Arrival to Mendoza – 900m

A member of our staff will welcome you at the airport and bring you to the hotel. In the evening all expedition members will meet for dinner. Depending on your arrival time, we will assist you to buy or rent all the equipment you need. Included: Transport and hotel.

Day 2: Drive to Vallecitos – 2900m

In the morning of our second day, we will leave the hotel after lunch and head to Vallecitos. Overnight in mountain hut Mausy. Included: Transportation, night in mountain hut and dinner

Day 3: Hike to Piedra Grande – 3550m

After breakfast we start a 600 meters climb to Piedra Grande, a very comfortable camp at 3550m. Included: Breakfast, lunch and dinner

Day 4: Piedra Grande – Salto BC – 4300m

We will take a 3km walk to Salto where we will set up our base camp and spend our next 3 nights. Salto means waterfall in Spanish and this comes from a small waterfall a few metres above camp. Included: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner

Day 5: Rest – 4300m

Rest day at Salto. Depending on our entire team’s health, we can take a short walk to a nearby glacier or just rest for the whole day. Included: Breakfast, lunch and dinner

Day 6: Salto – Hoyada – Salto – 4700m

Let’s take a 2km walk to a camp named Hoyada which is almost 4700m. This will be our summit camp and we want to stock it before we actually go there to sleep. This walk to 4700 metres is a great acclimatization opportunity. Included: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner

Day 7: Rest – 4300m

Rest day at Salto. Very important day of doing absolutely nothing, this will really helpful with the acclimatization. Included: Breakfast, lunch and dinner

Day 8: Salto – Hoyada – 4700m

We will go to sleep to Hoyada and take the remaining equipment up there. Included: Breakfast and lunch

Day 9: Hoyada – Summit – Hoyada – 5943m

We will try to reach Plata’s summit today. We expect a 8 to 12-hour summit push (up and down).

Day 10: Hoyada – Mendoza – 900m

We will start early to walk down the mountain passing through Salto, organizing our tents and loading the mules. From there we have a 3-hour walk to Vallecitos. Included: Snack, dinner, and transport.

Day 11: Flight home – 900m

You will be taken to the airport three hours before your flight. Included: Breakfast and Transport

Details

More info

You can easily rent or purchase all the necessary mountaineering equipment in Mendoza:

Bandana Balaclava Hat Sunglasses Sunscreen and lip balm Batteries (AA or AAA depending on your Headtorch) Headtorch Light down jacket Summit Down Jacket Snowproof jacket T-shirt Fleece jacket Trekking pants Gaiters Base layer pants Snowproof pants Hand warmers Fleece Pants Mittens Gloves Sandals or crocs Trekking boots Trekking socks Thick expedition socks Double boots Crampons with antibott system Water purifying tables/drops Carbo gels Snacks Stuff sacks or bin bags Sleeping Bag Rucksack Altitude medicine (Ibuprofen and Loperamide) Personal Hygiene kit Sleeping mattress 1 litre thermos Water bottle Duffel Bag Freeze dried food Padlock Trekking poles

Meeting point

Mendoza Airport

About the guide

Eduardo

5.0

(3)

Mountain Guide

I'm originally from São Paulo and lived in Brazil until 2010 when I decided to drop everything and live off the mountain.

I used to work in advertising, until I studied and graduated in 2013 from the EPGAMT school in Mendoza. Today I'm one of the few professional mountain guides from Brazil.

I've been a climber for 12 years and have great experience in climbing rock, ice and high mountain. I'm specialized in the Central Andes and climbed dozens of mountains in the region.

I've done crossings in the Central Andes from Argentina to Chile, and ice climbing as well, participating for 5 years in Vallecitos Ice Climbing Festival. In addition I climbed great mountains like: Aconcagua (6962m), Ojos del Salado (6898m), Tres Cruces Sur (6738m), Tres Cruces Central (6640m), Mercedario (6770m), Tupungato Volcano (6556m), Aconcagua and Cerro Plata (5943m), Vicuñas (6087m), among others.

I've been working in Aconcagua for the last 4 years in a row and started as a porter in 2012. I worked my way up and now lead several expeditions at Central and dry Andes.

Languages

Portuguese | English

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What people are saying about Eduardo

Alex

The expedition was very professionally organised with a good guide to client ratio (between 2:1 and 3:1), great food (cook Charlie was absolutely amazing, the food was better than in restaurants although we were in a remote location in a desert at 4,300+ meters above sea level), the guides all spoke English very well (big plus!) and the communication from the guides before and during the trip was very clear and helpful (e.g. asking questions what equipment to bring etc). Would recommend to others for sure

Jerry

You People there at Explore have really put a great trip together. I don,t know how you could improve on this. Thanks forgiving me the chance to experience Chile!

Anne-Laure

These 2-days in Cerro Penitentes were amazing in the environnement of Aconcagua and the Andes in general. Eduardo has been very professional, very reactive to my questions before and during the trek, very aware or my wellness. We had a very good time and I should recommend it for sure.