Page 219 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Argentina

CUY O AND THE WINE C OUNTR Y  217

Spectacular backdrop of Laguna de Horcones, Parque Provincial Aconcagua
6 Parque Provincial easy; prospective summit eers (4,500-m) base camp for Pared
Aconcagua must be in good physical Sur, Aconcagua’s diffi cult south
condition to deal with oxygen face. In a week, they can reach
Road map B2. 115 miles (185 km)
W of Mendoza. @ n Ranger station, deficits, not to mention extreme and return from Plaza de Mulas,
Horcones, (0261) 156-210118. weather conditions. On other, where most mountaineers start
& Permits: Mendoza, (0261) 425- more technical routes, the their final climb to the summit.
8751. Open 8am–6pm daily issue is even more clear-cut: Here, back packers should be
(for entry). & ®  more than 100 climbers have prepared for summer gridlock
∑ aconcagua.mendoza.gov.ar died on Aconcagua and a and competition for camp sites.
profes sional guide is imperative It is mandatory for hikers to
One of the country’s best- for non-mountaineers. have permits for every walk
known parks, Parque Provincial Fortunately, Aconcagua has beyond Horcones and to
Aconcagua contains one of more to offer than just its have an ascent permit
the world’s highest summits. summit. From its visitor center, to continue beyond Plaza de
At 22,841 ft (6,962 m), Cerro only 2 miles (4 km) north of the Mulas. The Glaciar Polaco
Aconcagua has been the goal highway, day-trippers can take route, about 9 miles (15 km)
of many novice mountaineers a short hike to Laguna de east of Los Penitentes, is longer
as, unlike Mount Everest and Horcones (Horcones Lake) for and slightly less difficult than
other famous peaks, it enjoys spec tacular views. Another the south face.
easy access and requires no option is to go ahead to Unlike many national parks,
techni cal climbing skills. By the Confluencia, an inter mediate Aconcagua has relatively little
traditional northwest route, camp for trekking to Plaza to offer other than its spec-
the “Roof of the Americas” is Francia and to Plaza de Mulas. tacular scenery. This is one of
relatively a low-difficulty climb. In three days, back packers can the Andes’ most barren sectors,
This does not mean that it is reach Plaza Francia, the 14,763-ft with little vegetation and few
mammals. Some visitors may
spot the Andean condor,
which came close to extinction
due to hunting, circling on
the thermals.
About 4 miles (7 km) west
of Los Penitentes is Puente del
Inca, which takes its name
from a natural bridge over
Río Mendoza. This geological
curiosity, formed by an ancient
petrifying process, was once
visited by Charles Darwin.
Puente del Inca is home to
the Cementerio de los
Andinistas, an Aconcagua
climbers’ ceme tery. The area
has street stalls selling souvenirs.
T Puente del Inca
Natural rock formation at Puente del Inca Ruta Nacional 7, Km 175. 0 ® 
Organic vineyard in the Mendoza Valley, with the Andes rising beyond

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