Beruflich Dokumente
Kultur Dokumente
on Aconcagua
by
Alex Nemet
Climatic conditions in the Central High Andes of Chile and Argentina usually originate in the Pacific
Ocean anticyclone. The humid westerly air currents that it sends inland collide with the Andes and, from
time to time, bring severe conditions. Cerro Aconcagua, due to its great altitude and bulk, is especially
susceptible, and periodically its upper slopes (above
17.000 ft/ 5,200 m) get buffeted by 90 mph/150 kph
winds. Such conditions will often create a vast lenticular
cloud above the summit. Even when the conditions at
Plaza de Mulas camp (13,800 ft/4,200 m) appear fine
and windless, the presence of this cloud formation
signifies strong winds, extreme cold and snowstorms
high on the mountain. It is also a sign that the upper
Lenticular clouds at Camp Nido mountain should be abandoned.
That said, the area can also be warm and nice and the weather systems usually holds for some time.
When it's warm, don't be surprised you don't have use for many of the cold weather items you brought.
Sometimes people can reach the summit wearing only wind proof fleece jackets and no gloves—but
don't count on it!
Another common weather type is the clear day, with fresh and chilly air and high winds. In general this
type of weather is good for climbing, as it's a solid and not so quick changing weather pattern. Be
prepared for cold climbing though.
Summer temperatures of minus 22°F/minus 30°C at higher elevations on Aconcagua are not unusual. At
the high camp, just before dawn, temperature commonly reach 5°F to minus 4°F /minus 15 or minus
20°C. Near the summit, wind chill can lower temperatures to minus 40° F/minus 40°C. Very high up on
1
Aconcagua, temperatures never get very high. Nevertheless, summer days and nights on Aconcagua can
also be relatively tame. On still days at noon, it might be possible to hang around base camp in a bathing
suit! But, be aware that, at altitude, temperatures vary sharply between sun and shade and between
sheltered and exposed ground. Also with height gain and loss.
Much of the information and photos for this piece are from
http://www.summitpost.org/area/range/170853/aconcagua-group.html