Aconcagua's Viewpoint
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Penitentes, 'Aconcagua's viewpoint'
Its large walls and towers resemble a cathedral, while smaller rock and sandstone formations resemble monks, who in a "penitent" attmountain has the particular characteristic of being an excellent viewpoint for Aconcagua, the rest of the Main Cordillera of Argentina and part of the Chilean Cordillera. Near the summit preserves priceless treasures, among them small Inca pircados.
Having previously gone on some summer ascents with Silvina, I was keen to tackle them again in winter conditions—and, in the process, learn how to use crampons and an ice axe, as well as master self-arrest techniques. Silvina and I spoke well in advance; she advised me on what gear I would need (and what I wouldn’t), helping us fine-tune the details of the trip. One of Silvina’s defining traits is her foresight—she ensures nothing is missing and leaves nothing to chance, always prioritizing safety. For me, it was an excellent experience; I learned a great deal about winter mountaineering and truly enjoyed the activity, all while taking it seriously and engaging in every aspect of the process. I felt very comfortable at our campsite, and the food was both tasty and plentiful—perfectly suited to the physical demands of the trip. The planning was excellent, allowing us to make the most of our time; even when the weather took a turn for the worse, we had a "Plan B" in place so we could continue enjoying ourselves and learning about winter mountaineering. In short: highly recommended.
Federico D.
2x4000: Winter Mountaineering - Mendoza - Argentina
Suitable for those with:
- Previous trekking experience.
- Good physical condition and health.
- The mental resilience to adapt to a rugged environment and the group dynamic.
Why chose us?
- Small groups and personalized attention.
- You only need to focus on training and bringing your personal gear.
Requirements:
Medical clearance including an exercise stress test.Ratio:
1 guide per 3 participants.Minimum Group Size:
2 people.Difficulty Level:
Moderate. Involves hiking with a backpack over unstable terrain—including trails, rocky ground, or snow cover.Dates:
April 2nd to 4th | Other dates, to be agreed.Starting point:
Mendoza, Mendoza.Duration:
3 days / 2 nights.
Itinerary Itinerary
9:00 AM: Meet in Mendoza, travel to Penitentes.
12:00 PM: Trek to 'Refugio Grajales'. Set up camp.
Services: Transfer to Penitentes. High-mountain tents | Meals: Packed lunch | Afternoon snack | Dinner.
6:00 AM: Breakfast.
8:00 AM: Trekking at Cerro Penitentes.
Services: High-altitude tents | Meals: Breakfast | Packed lunch | Afternoon snack | Dinner.
8:00 AM: Breakfast. Dismantling of camp.
10:00 AM: Return to Penitentes and Mendoza.
Services: Transfer to Mendoza. Meals: Breakfast.
Excellent service and quality. Silvina was always available—attentive, a good listener, and supportive—while staying mindful of our needs. Truly an excellent professional. It was a pleasure, and I will definitely hire her again! Here’s to many more expeditions!
Eleonora O.
Penitentes Mt.- Argentina
Images from our expeditions
What is included?
Accommodation
- High-altitude tents.
Meals
- Breakfast, packed lunch, afternoon snack, trail snacks, dinner.
- Group cooking equipment, stoves, fuel, cooking utensils. The boxed lunch contains sandwiches, a sweet treat, fruit, and an isotonic drink.
The informal lunch consists of empanadas or 'picadas'.
Professional Guides
- Professional EPGAMT guide, licensed in Mendoza and WFR certified.
- Assistant, if applicable.
- Specialized, personalized pre-trip assistance.
- Advice on equipment rental or purchase.
Communication
First Aid
- Satellite communication.
- VHF communication.
- First aid kit.
- Use of medical oxygen in case of emergency. Available at the base.
Insurance
- Personal Accidents.
- Civil Liability.
4x4 Transfers and Logistics
- Group gear portage for groups of more than 3 passengers – one-way only.
- Round-trip private vehicle transfer in Mendoza.
- Mountain zone entry registration.
- Small groups.
Not included
Personal Gear
- Personal gear.
- Technical gear for personal use.
- Included pre-trip advice applies to cases where gear is purchased or rented in advance. It is available from the moment of booking.
- We can provide rental gear if booked in advance.
See required gear below.
Additional Expenses
- Breakfast on 'Day 1'.
- Personal clothing / equipment.
- Trail meals / meals outside the mountain itinerary.
- Drinks.
- Porter for the descent (carrying camp equipment, food, and fuel).
- Transport to the meeting point in Mendoza.
- Other extras not specified in the program.
- Expenses incurred due to abandoning the activity.
- Rescue and evacuation costs.
Optional:
Photography - Video
Special meals
- High-quality, watermark-free photography.
- Drone photography/video.
- Special menu options (Vegetarian, Keto, Vegan, etc.).
- One guide per person or an assistant when the group size requires it.
“Leave no trace.”
During the mountain activity, all waste that came with us returns with us.
Papers, fruit peels, toilet paper, wet wipes, feminine dressings, etc. They can be discarded upon arrival at the shelter or in the destination city upon completion.
Help us keep the mountain clean. Thank you very much!
Technical Gear
- 60/70 liter backpack.
- Backpack cover.
- Trekking poles.
- Snow Gaiters / Crampons (will be notified if it is required closer to the date).
- Climbing helmet (with size regulation).
- Trekking or mountain boots with semi-rigid soles.
- Sleeping bag, fiber or duvet (-15°C to -30°C).
- Insulating and/or inflatable mat.
- Headlamp. Replacement batteries).
Personal Care
- Sunglasses or goggles, CAT 4.
- Sunscreen factor 60 or higher.
- Lip protector.
- Personal hygiene elements. Quick drying towel.
- Personal first aid kit (band-aids, gauze, adhesive tape, povidone-iodine, 1 pair of disposable gloves, 2 elastic bandages, ibuprofen, sublingual reliveran, loperamide, rehydration salts) and prescription medication if applicable.
- Suggestion: 70% alcohol to sanitize your hands.
Outfit
- Two t-shirts (long sleeve/short sleeve).
- Diver or fleece jacket or windstopper.
- Fine down jacket or synthetic filling.
- Waterproof jacket.
- Thermal pants.
- Trekking or fleece pants.
- Warm hat, sun cap and buff neck scarf.
- A pair of fleece gloves, a pair of waterproof gloves.
- Crocks or sandals (for resting time).
- Two pairs of thin stockings.
- Two pairs of thick socks.
Other
- Kitchen items (knife, fork, spoon, plate and unbreakable cup).
- Containers to store at least 3 liters. of water per person.
- Steel thermos for personal use (at least 500cm3).
- Plastic bags to self-manage your waste.
- Personal portable charger (powerbank) for camping or shelter days.
- Snacks (Ideas: nuts, gummies, cookies, nougats, cereal bars, candies, chocolates, salty snacks, etc.).
An extraordinary experience; I went to Penitentes and was assisted throughout in the best possible way—they even exceeded expectations. Highly recommended.
Marcelo R.
Penitentes Mt.- Argentina
