After our brief stop at Portillo, Pa anxiously rushed off up the highway, into Argentina and to Aconcagua National Park. This is a very special place for Pa, as he has planned on climbing Aconcagua for years, and the plan is for a January 2007 climb with my Uncle Mark. Aconcagua is 22,841 feet high, and is the highest mountain in the world, outside of the Himalayas!




This is the South face of Aconcagua. The summit is actually what looks like the lower point in the middle of the mountain.


Pa was not content with just looking around, so we all headed out for a little hike up toward "base camp" called Plaza de Mulas. As the elevation was near 10,000 feet, that is like being at top of Mt. Baker, we only walked a little bit, as it was just way to tiring! In less than a year from now, Pa and group will be at this same spot, heading up for the summit, which takes about three weeks round trip!






The trail continues for about 15 miles to base camp.