Glaciated peaks surround Aconcagua’s flanks and offer students world class mountaineering objectives. During the IWLS mountaineering course, students explore the Plomo glacier, to the south west of Aconcagua and next to the border of Chile. The nearby summits of Cerro Juncal, Nevado el Plomo, Tupungato, and many other alpine peaks above 5,000 meters in the area, set the back drop for this mountaineering course which offers students a fine balance of altitude, mountaineering skills, and international travel. Although we won’t attempt Juncal or Plomo, there are innumerable peaks and objectives in the spectacular glaciated environment.

This course is a significant mountaineering expedition into the central Andes. After logistics planning and packing in Penitentes, you’ll hike up the Rio Blanco Valley and establish a base camp. The easy access to the glaciers spilling off the high peaks and a variety of mountaineering objectives provide an exciting classroom for learning to climb and guide at altitude. As the group acclimates, you’ll refine mountaineering skills and practice crevasse rescue before climbing a few of the surrounding peaks.

Argentina: Argentina is a beautiful, lively, country located at the bottom of the South American continent. It is home to many diverse climatic and geographical regions. Aconcagua and the beautiful Matienzo Valley are located on the country's western edge, near its border with Chile.

Mendoza: Mendoza is the starting and ending place for our trip. It can easily be reached by daily flights from both Buenos Aires and Santiago. Mendoza is a colorful city of approximately 500,000 people full of interesting history, markets and parks. It is located in the heart of Argentina's wine country and the climate is predominantly hot and sunny!

Penitentes: We'll ascend above Mendoza into the central Andes to Penitentes, our last outpost before embarking on the 3 day hike into our base camp area.

Difficulty: Backpacking and mountaineering at high altitude can be physically exhausting.  Typical camp moves involve 2,000+ elevation gains over rugged terrain. Navigating glaciated terrain and ice penitentes, climbing steep snow chutes are all part of the course. Previous expedition and backpacking skills is recommended.

Our Instructors: IWLS instructors and guides are highly-trained professionals recognized as some of the best in their field. They have a wealth of experience from guiding throughout Alaska, Canada, and the world. They genuinely enjoy sharing their knowledge of the outdoors in the wild places that they love. Their experiences and leadership help our students to have the best possible experience during their course. Students' safety, education, and enjoyment are their primary goals. The International Wilderness Leadership Schools’ educational model nurtures leadership development and creates an awareness of the guiding mentality that is essential for leading safe, fun adventures in the mountains. The combination of technical skills training, experiential education and practical leadership experience make the IWLS curriculum world-class. Our Aconcagua instructors have extensive experience on the mountain. Their skill and knowledge insure a safe, successful, and fun trip. We also limit the size of our groups and maintain a small student to instructor ratio. The itineraries and camps that we use are designed to provide the best experience on this challenging and rewarding trip!

Experience Level: No previous experience is necessary for this course. However, with a desire to learn and an enthusiasm for adventure, you’ll develop the skills necessary for a lifetime of wilderness exploration. Previous expedition camping and/or high altitude experience is recommended.

Certifications: Upon completion of the 20-day Argentina Mountaineering leadership course, students will be eligible for the following certifications:

20-day Mountaineering Guide Training Certificate of Completion

Course Itinerary (printable PDF)Day 0: Arrive in Mendoza. An instructor will meet you at the airport with an IWLS sign.

Day 1: Mendoza to Penitentes. We travel by private passenger van for approximately 3 hours to the winter resort community of Penitentes where we will spend the evening. Penitentes, situated at approx. 9,000 ft., is a good elevation to begin acclimatizing.  We'll focus on packing equipment and weighing it for the mule teams, and camp near the trail head.

Day 2 - 4: Over the next several days, we'll focus on acclimatization and pacing as we ascend towards our base camp area at around 12,500'.

Day 5 - 7: From our basecamp we'll move camp up  the ridge of a moraine, past the toe of a glacier to an upper glaciated plateau surrounded by various climbing objectives.  Slow ascent offers critical acclimatization time and affords time extensive coverage of curriculum points an our way to high altitude.

Day 8 - 11:  Camping up on the ice cap affords close proximity to ice climbing and peak ascents alike.  Students will have opportunities to lead rope teams, teach lesson plans, and polish technical mountaineering skills.

Day 12: Students will have the opportunity for mid-course evaluations and focus curriculum towards individual goals. We may move camp to another location to access a cirque of peaks over 16,000'.

Day 13 - 17: A series of more remote peaks towards the Plomo glacier offer challenging ascents for students to cultivate their technical rope skills and leadership skills.  Students develop lesson plans and manage groups in their role as leader of the day, working with their fellow students to manage the group's movements and objectives for the day.

Day 18: Perhaps following an early morning start on one of the nearby peaks we'd pack up our high camp, and return to our lower base camp area to organize equipment, and prepare for our hike out.

Day 19 - 20: We'll meet up with our mule team in the morning, and hike for 2 days down a separate valley completing a loop return to Penitentes.  We typically return to Mendoza by dinner time on Day 20.

Day 21: Flights home.

IWLS General Curriculum outlines the essential components for effective outdoor leadership. Here are a few points that your course will focus on.

• • Leadership: We not only exemplify leadership – we teach it and implement it. Students will have opportunities to lead the group through a variety of activities, objectives, and responsibilities.
  • Safety and Risk Management: Safety is always our #1 consideration. As the course progresses, students will develop an awareness to appropriately assess risk and make safe decisions in and out of the field. Especially as it applies to high altitude.
  • Expedition Behavior and Group Dynamics: Because this course is a true wilderness expedition, interactions between group members need to be supportive and contribute to the efficacy of the group. The daily dynamics of the group, combined with guided instruction, will teach students not only how to be a member of a cohesive team, but how to influence and lead an expedition.
  • Environmental Ethics: As adventurers in some of the most pristine environments on the planet, it is our duty to respect the natural world. All of our courses practice and teach Leave No Trace® principles.
  • Communication Skills: Speaking in public, managing a personal conflict, or leading a group in the wilderness - all of these situations require effective communication. Students will gain confidence in their communication abilities while developing personal leadership styles during this course.

The IWLS Mountaineering Curriculum is built from countless expeditions on Aconcagua, in Alaska, and around the world. You’ll learn how to be a competent and proficient mountaineer in a variety of different environments. Below are some topics we’ll cover:

• • Subjective Hazards: Among other things, dehydration, fatigue and personal pride can be detrimental to group safety. Learn how to implement measures to mitigate these potential hazards.
  • Short Roping: Learn different applications of short roping technique and times and places to utilize it.
  • Altitude Considerations: Aconcagua reaches heights above 22,000 feet. Learn how to recognize signs and symptoms of acute mountain sickness, and steps to take to avoid it. We’ll also discuss the most effective treatment for all altitude illnesses: descent.
  • Timing: In the mountains, timing is everything: when to leave camp, when to turn around, and when to push for the summit. Time management is a critical component of safe travel and plays into many aspects of mountaineering.
  • Travel Techniques: Course instruction will help you discover ways to safely maximize your efficiency, whether hiking down a well-beaten path or traversing an exposed ridge.
  • River and Stream Crossings: In river crossings, attention to detail and safety is paramount. Students will learn and practice safe techniques for wading across a small stream or doing a Tyrolean traverse across a raging river.
  • Stoves and Campfires: The ability to repair a broken stove, make an emergency fire after being submerged in an icy river, and melt snow efficiently for water are key components for leading a group in the wilderness.
  • Route Finding and Navigation: The Donjek Route often has no obvious trail. Students will learn important fundamentals for route finding, using a compass, and navigating in order to negotiate this remote terrain.
  • Camp Skills Learn about the tents we'll be utilizing, how to organize our kitchen and keep our food secure and appropriately protected from bears and other wildlife.

The IWLS International Curriculum is designed to provide students with a fundamental understanding of planning and leading expeditions in foreign countries. Here are just a few topics that will be covered:

• Cultural History: As visitors to this remarkable place, we place a premium on being respectful and learning about the local culture and history.
• Trip Preparation: Logistics in a foreign country can be complex and tenuous. You’ll take part in shopping at the local market, arranging transportation, and securing permits in preparation for your expedition on Aconcagua.

Trip Documents:

• Course Overview- Printable detailed course overview & itinerary.
• Equipment List - Overview of personal clothing and equipment that you'll need for this course.
• Registration Form - Outlines policies, and essential information. One required per participant.
• Health Form - This form enables our guides to have accurate health information in the event of an emergency.
• Land Based Activity Waiver - One required per participant. Guests under the age of 18 may go on one form.
• Travel Info - Helpful information on how to get to/from Argentina.

What is included in the course price:

• Expedition gear - group camping equipment, tents, stoves, etc...
• Expedition food - all food while out in the field.
• Transportation during trip - departure and return to Mendoza.
• Professional instructors - Our leaders have extensive knowledge of the area and a passion for leading in wild places.

 
Students are responsible for the following:

• Personal clothing & equipment - review the equipment list included under "Documents"
• Food and Lodging in Mendoza - We are happy to recommend our preferred options.
• Travel insurance - travel insurance is required for all international programs with IWLS.
• Airfare & travel to course location - review the "Travel Information" under "Documents" for more details.
• Reviewing course policies - please reference our policies page for policies regarding payment, cancellations, refunds and student responsibilities.
• Gratuities

 
To Book your adventure, follow the steps below:

• Please call to confirm availability at 1-800-766-3396 or fill out an online form to request more information: Request More Info
• Place a deposit of $500 or 25% of trip cost (whichever is less) to reserve your spot: this can be place over the phone by credit card, check in the mail, or through our payment gateway.
• Once you've reserved your spot, you'll receive a welcome packet with all the necessary registration forms and trip information.
• Be sure to submit all trip registration documents at least 45 days prior to your course. This includes information on your arrival/departure, lodging, dietary, and medical information.

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Feel free to call or email anytime if you have questions about your upcoming trip. Our team is excited to help you prepare for your adventure!