MOUNTAINEERING INFORMATION ARTICLES

Aconcagua - How to Obtain a Climbing Permit

Obtaining a Climbing Permit for climbing the Aconcagua is a relatively simple process. Everybody can obtain the Climbing Permit from the Department of Provincial Forests and Parks (Direccion de Bosques y Parqeus Provinciales), a division of the Renewable Natural Resources Department (Direccion de Recursos Naturales Renovables). This office is located in the city of Mendoza, just south of the main entrance to General San Martin Park. All climbers must obtain the Climbing Permit in person at the office, and they should be ready to complete the applications listing their full details. This permit is valid for 20 days after entering the park. The fee is 80 USD from November 15 through December 14 and from February 16 through March 15. The fee is 120 USD from December 15 through February 15. Citizens of Argentina receive a fifty percent discount.

The permit needs to be shown to the park rangers based at the Horcones Valley control station or at the La Lena control station along the Rio de las Vacas or Plaza Argentina. The control station you will pass depends on the climbing route chosen. The rangers will take a copy of your permit and will outline the park regulations for you. The ranger will also issue each party a numbered trash bag and note the number on each member's permit. Upon completion of the climb, a park ranger signs each individual's permit, verifying that the expedition rubbish is taken out.

In addition to the Climbing Permit, a trekking permit is also available. A three-day trekking permit is 20 USD and a 7-day trekking permit is 30 USD. Like for the Climbing Permits, Argetines receive a 50 percent discount.

The bottomline here is that before Trekking or Climbing to Aconcagua, you should first make sure that you have complied with the necessary requirements. This is to avoid any hassle even before you even set foot on the trail to the mountain. This would also ensure the environment is well-maintained so that others can still enjoy the view of Aconcagua.

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