The project
In the shadow of the Andean giant
In the shadow of Aconcagua, I stand humbled before its imposing stature. On the final day, the first rays of light illuminate its flanks, revealing the winding route that awaits me. Step by step, I begin the ascent in the purity of this oxygen-thin air. One step, four breaths. The wind whispers in my ears and as I continue my climb, the hours stretch on, but I maintain an unwavering determination. After this battle against gravity, I reach the summit — a silent and deeply satisfying victory. In that moment, I am intoxicated by the tranquility of altitude, aware that every stride was a struggle with myself.
Days 1–3
Penitentes
Upon our arrival at the base of Aconcagua (Penitentes), we were greeted by clear skies and warm temperatures, which made setting up our base camp easy. We took the time to acclimatize to the altitude while admiring the magnificent views of the surrounding Andean peaks.
Confluencia
The sunny and mild weather made our ascent to Camp 1 (Confluencia) very pleasant. We savored every moment, walking at a steady pace while appreciating the spectacular landscapes stretching out before us. We continued our acclimatization toward the Plaza Francia camp, at the foot of Aconcagua, where we could admire the full majesty of the Andean giant for the first time.
Plaza de Mulas
The ideal weather conditions continued as we progressed toward Camp 2, the main camp, Plaza de Mulas. The cloudless blue sky and fresh air made this stage less demanding, as we crossed a desert as arid as it was breathtaking, allowing us to fully enjoy the experience.
Cerro Bonete
Acclimatization ascent to Cerro Bonete, the first 5,000-meter peak of this adventure. This day was a true pleasure in these perfect weather conditions. With clement weather and moderate temperatures, we felt strong and determined to reach our goal. Unfortunately, we lost a teammate that evening, struck by pulmonary edema due to altitude, who was evacuated the following day.
Nido de Condores
We reached the advanced base camp, Plaza Canada, to bring up our climbing gear. The clear skies and temperatures starting to drop seriously offered us peaceful moments of rest and stunning views of the surrounding landscape. We also discovered for the first time the slopes of Aconcagua and the initial effects of altitude, as well as the weight we were carrying on our backs.
After a rest day, we decided to skip Plaza Canada and go directly to our future ascent base camp, Nido de Condores, at 5,500 meters. This climb was long and grueling with all the weight we carried, but the excitement was intense because we knew we were heading straight for our goal: the summit.
The summit
After a night of interrupted sleep (the alarm going off at 1 a.m.), the final phase of the Aconcagua ascent begins. The first steps are laborious, fatigue already making itself felt from the very first meters. Yet the progression goes relatively well up to 6,000 meters, where the effects of altitude begin to manifest. The pace slows, oxygen becomes scarce, and a heavy silence settles in.
From 6,200 meters, a true ordeal presents itself. Every movement becomes a struggle, pushing our breathing capacity to the extreme. The laborious progression chips away at morale and for the first time, the idea of turning back crosses our minds. A miraculous dawn brings a touch of comfort, rekindling our confidence and determination.
The entire final phase unfolds under a deep blue sky and brilliant sunshine — weather never before seen on the flanks of this mountain. In these ideal conditions, every step toward the summit, however slow and arduous, is savored as a victory, culminating our journey and overflowing with emotions once the summit is reached.
The descent
After reaching the summit in ideal weather conditions, we began the descent with a sense of satisfaction and gratitude. The fine weather made the descent safer and more enjoyable, allowing us to fully savor every moment, already tinged with a certain nostalgia for the achievement we had accomplished.
Denali
6,190 m · Alaska · May 2025
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