| Ref: INKA
Expediciones
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On our way to Cerro
Bonete, 5,052 m.
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Scramble:
RT 7.5; 4.5 up from base camp. Cerro Bonete grants a fantastic
viewpoint of Aconcagua's west face. It is a side trip offered with
INKA's
extended route package to facilitate acclimatization. Including this
ascent in the itinerary is a wise choice; giving your body time to
acclimatize increases the chance of a successful attempt on Aconcagua
and will make the climb less strenuous. For this hike, we didn't start
too early; we waited for the sun's rays to shine onto base camp to warm
the
cold morning air. After a good breakfast, we began hiking slowly,
taking many breaks. Although the alpine scenery is similar to the
Canadian Rockies, there are striking differences. The sheer
size of the mountains, combined with the absence of sub-alpine terrain
and the forest below in the valleys, are reminders of the altitude and
dry environment of the Andes. Also, trekking through the
numerous fields of penitentes was a first for me; those snow formations
commonly found above 4,000 m., in areas with very low humidity, low
temperatures, and lots of solar radiation, aren't usual back home. The
upper mountain was delightful, granting some easy scrambling; I felt
right at home, travelling like a cat. We stayed at the top long enough
to have lunch and take lots of pictures; lucky for us, the wind was
light. Returning was a hoot! We flew down the upper mountain's long
scree slope as far as we could. After regrouping, we resumed our speedy
descent back to camp. That evening, my appetite returned, and my slight
headache vanished while I relaxed, drinking copious amounts of water.
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The snow
bleeds to the Horcones Valley with Cerros Sin Nombre (5,154 m.), México
(5,020 m.), and Dedos (5,026 m.) from left to right in the background.
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Horcones
Superior Glacier and Cerro Cuerno (5,462 m.) compliment this blanket of
penitentes.
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The team
negotiates the narrow path in the penitentes.
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Plaza de Mulas Hotel claims to be the highest in the world; currently, it is closed to the public.
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The Rescue
Patrol uses the white building on the right.
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This beach
gives way to ice, penitentes, and glaciers.
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Following
the well-trodden path to the objective left of center.
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We cross
several fields of penitentes.
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Nearing the mountain's scree slope.
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Looking
back, Plaza de Mulas is visible below.
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Cerro
Catedral (5,282 m.) is glistening under the sun.
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Tackling the
summit block.
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The summit
block grants a short section of easy scrambling.
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A
bit of scrambling put a smile on my face.
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I'm at the top
with Aconcagua's impressive west face in the background. |
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The team's summit picture.
Picture courtesy of Ignacio Alonso.
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I've never
been at this altitude; this is new ground.
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In Chile, to
the south-west, Cerro Parva del Inca (4,843 m.) juts out of its
surroundings.
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The western
view over Rio Las Cuevas (River of the Caves).
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Standing tall to the north, from
left to right, Cerro Pan de Azúcar (5,249 m.), Cerros de los Horcones
(5,406 m.), and Catedral (5,282 m.); Cerro Alma
Blanca (5,175 m.) is also visible behind them.
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From here, the Horcones Valley unveils its length.
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The scree
slope offered a fun, speedy descent.
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Sunset over Cerro Bonete.
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Return
to Cerro Aconcagua
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| Back to home page |
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