Aconcagua Day 8: Move to Camp 3

Today was supposed to be a rest day at Camp 1 but since it was a decent day with relatively low wind around 35-40 MPH, we decided to make a big move up the mountain. The change of plan involved going up to Ameghino Col/Camp 2 where we cached our load yesterday, pick it up and continue on to Camp 3 known as Helicopter Camp at 5400m/18,000ft.

View of the Polish Glacier on the way to Camp 3.

Since we’re feeling good and acclimatizing well to the altitude, we’re skipping Camp 2 altogether to put us in a better position to summit as soon as there’s a decent weather windows under these difficult windy conditions.

Moonlike terrain on the way to C3.

Along the way we crossed a moonlike terrain and then followed a ridge crossing a melting glacier that looked like a mini icefall.

Crossing ice formations.

After leaving Camp 1 at 8:38 AM, we arrived at the Camp 2 Col at 11:18 AM and rolled into Camp 3 around 12:45 PM. We pitched our tent, hydrated and relaxed until dinner time.

Camp 3 / Helicopter Camp at the foothills of the Polish Glacier and Aconcagua.

Not sure about tomorrow yet as the wind is supposed to pick up again. If the wind is high we’ll rest at Camp 3, otherwise we’ll carry a load to our High Camp 4 also known as Camp Colera.