2025/2026 season Aconcagua expedition dispatches

Aconcagua team tops out!

On the summit of Aconcagua with blue skies over head!

Exciting news from the Madison Mountaineering Aconcagua expedition team: the team topped out at the highest point in all the Americas yesterday! Waking up for their alpine start, the team emerged from their tents, scarfed down some food, shouldered their packs and set off for the summit. Step by step up the route, the team pushed on moving strongly and swiftly with the top coming more and more into sight with every step. Upon reaching the top at around 2pm local time, the team slapped high-fives, snapped some photographs, and took in their incredible achievement. Now on their way back to base camp, the team looks forward to continuing the celebration in Mendoza and then on to their home countries. Strong work and a huge congratulations goes out to the team! Expedition leader, Cacho Beiza checked in with this brief update from Aconcagua:

We summit (6961m/22,837ft) yesterday around 2:00pm, sleep again in Camp 3 (5989m/19,650ft). All the team is in good condition!

In addition to these expedition dispatches, you can also follow our teams as they make their attempts on the world’s most formidable mountains on:

– Amazon Alexa devices with the Madison Mountaineering Flash Briefing skill:

  • Enable the skill and add to your flash briefing to hear our daily audio expedition updates on select expeditions.  Just say, “Alexa, play my flash briefing.“

– Instagram:

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Aconcagua team to Camp 2

Climbing up to Camp 2 with Aconcagua towering high above!

The Madison Mountaineering Aconcagua expedition team reached Camp 2 (Nido de Cóndores) after a strong and steady climb up the Normal Route. Despite some challenging weather and a blanket of snow on the mountain, the team moved strongly above base camp and looks forward to moving up to Camp 3 soon!

After departing Plaza de Mulas, the route climbs gradually but relentlessly, with expansive views of the Andes opening up behind us. The team maintained a smooth pace, managing the increasing altitude well as we ascended to roughly 18,000 feet / 5,500 meters. Spirits are high, and everyone is feeling strong and well-acclimatized as we continue to move up the mountain.

We’ll continue to monitor conditions closely and move thoughtfully as we work higher on the mountain. The team plans to move to Camp 3 tomorrow and eyes a potential summit date of December 18. Expedition leader, Cacho Beiza checked in with this message from Camp 2:

The team reached Camp 2 (5522m/18,117ft) today. Team feels good!

Great views of the Andes as we climb higher up the mountain!

Great views of the Andes as we climb higher up the mountain!

In addition to these expedition dispatches, you can also follow our teams as they make their attempts on the world’s most formidable mountains on:

– Amazon Alexa devices with the Madison Mountaineering Flash Briefing skill:

  • Enable the skill and add to your flash briefing to hear our daily audio expedition updates on select expeditions.  Just say, “Alexa, play my flash briefing.“

– Instagram:

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Aconcagua team reaches Plaza de Mulas Base Camp

Blue skies for the trek to Plaza de Mulas Base Camp.

After several days trekking up the Horcones Valley, the Madison Mountaineering expedition team has reached their base camp at the foot of Aconcagua. The team worked on building acclimatization along the way, and are psyched to begin moving up the mountain! With carries up the mountain set to start soon, we’re in good spirits and feeling prepared for what’s to come. Expedition leader, Cacho Beiza checked in with this brief dispatch from Plaza de Mulas Base Camp:

We arrived today at Plaza de Mulas Base Camp (4367m/14,327ft) with all the team. Now resting after dinner. All the members in a good mood and condition!

In addition to these expedition dispatches, you can also follow our teams as they make their attempts on the world’s most formidable mountains on:

– Amazon Alexa devices with the Madison Mountaineering Flash Briefing skill:

  • Enable the skill and add to your flash briefing to hear our daily audio expedition updates on select expeditions.  Just say, “Alexa, play my flash briefing.“

– Instagram:

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Aconcagua season is underway!

Team photo in Mendoza!

The first of the Madison Mountaineering Aconcagua (6961m/22,837ft) expeditions is underway for the 2025 / 2026 season and boy, is it good to be back on the highest peak outside of Asia! The team came together in the beautiful city of Mendoza (746m/2,449ft), enjoyed a welcome dinner together, and conducted a quick gear check before making their final preparations to begin the trek towards Plaza de Mulas Base Camp (4367m/14,327ft).

The team hit the trail yesterday and arrived in Confluencia Camp (3436m/11,273ft). After settling in, we enjoyed a nice barbecue for dinner and crawled into tents for a good nights sleep. Today, the team plans to work on their acclimatization by climbing to Plaza Francia (4228m/13,871ft), and then they’ll return back to Confluencia Camp once again for one more night before continuing onto base camp.

The weather has been excellent so far and everyone on the team is doing great. Check in soon!

The team under blue skies and with Aconcagua towering high above.

The team under blue skies and with Aconcagua towering high above.

In addition to these expedition dispatches, you can also follow our teams as they make their attempts on the world’s most formidable mountains on:

– Amazon Alexa devices with the Madison Mountaineering Flash Briefing skill:

  • Enable the skill and add to your flash briefing to hear our daily audio expedition updates on select expeditions.  Just say, “Alexa, play my flash briefing.“

– Instagram:

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