Climb Aconcagua: Polish Traverse Route - Group Travel

Skylar Givens How are the plans coming along? I'd like to join.

Todd Hi Skylar, apologies for the lack of updates. I'm heading to Peru this Saturday, then to Argentina a couple of weeks later. I haven't mentioned anything yet because I've been a little unsure of timing.

We're planning to live for 2-3 months in a city called Bariloche, which is pretty mountainous but far south of Aconcagua. We need to train for a desert expedition in May 2011, which is why we tried to find somewhere where we could train *safely* outdoors.

Anyway, we only decided to move to Argentina a couple of days ago, so let me get back to you in the next couple of days. I know we're running out of time, but I have to check the schedule and discuss with Lauren.

How interested are you?

Skylar Givens I'm definitely interested in climbing Aconcagua. I'll either be dead or climbing Aconcagua in the beginning of 2011, haha. Let me know when you get your schedule figured out.

Todd Hey Skylar, sorry again for the big delay. We're actually living in Peru at 3,300m at the moment (didn't quite make it to Argentina). Have you booked Aconcagua? We've started to get much more serious about training, which at 3,300m isn't hard to do. Haven't started training with packs yet. If you haven't booked yet, have you got a guiding company in mind?

Skylar Givens No worries. That's awesome you made the big move to South America! I haven't booked yet but I have 2 guide companies in mind. I was originally going unguided with a group of friends but it doesn't look like they'll be able to make it this time around.

Todd We've been talking to a few guides and one has stood out as being really helpful and knowledgeable. Pretty cheap too compared to the others, so if you're interested, I can send the details. We contacted a few of the big guys, and apart from charging more, they seem more like mountaineering production lines. E.g. they have 6+ trips going this seasons and can't even tell you for sure who's guiding each climb.

Skylar Givens Hey Todd, I'm definitely interested in the details. Could you please PM them to me? Thanks a ton! How are things going in Peru?

Lauren Thanks for your note Matt. Great cause. For anyone else interested, Matt has put up the trip here on Globetrooper so you can join in on the discussion over here: http://globetrooper.com/climb-aconcagua-for-colon-cancer-2011