Aconcagua Day 13: Descending to Plaza de Mulas & back to Mendoza

We got up at 9:30 AM after our long summit day, packed up camp and descended the other side of the mountain from our Colera Camp at 6000 m (19,800 ft) to the main Base Camp at Plaza de Mulas at 4300 m (14,100 ft). The whole scree descent was very steep and with plenty of loose rocks. Eager to get out of there, we sped down the mountain making it to Plaza de Mulas BC in just 2 hours and 20 minutes.

The steep way down to Plaza de Mulas.

Nevertheless, I don’t think I will need any quad or lunges training for quite a while. By the time we got to Base Camp, none of us could feel our quad muscles any more. We were greeted at Base Camp with some hamburgers and sprite and later given Budweiser beer to celebrate our summit success.

Ran into some friends from Mountain Trip on the way down to BC.

Crossing the Penitentes into Plaza de Mulas.

Instead of spending the night at Plaza de Mulas and trekking out the next two days, we’ve arranged for a helicopter to pick us up around 7:00 PM an fly us to Puente del Inca. From there we’ll take a 3 hours car ride into Mendoza, check in at our hotel and get cleaned up before going out on the town for a much deserved celebratory dinner.

Helicoptering out of Base Camp.

We’re back after a successful expedition.