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- Mar 30, 2016
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A View Into Aconcagua-Vallecitos Combo
Aconcagua is the highest mountain in the western hemisphere and a major objective for individuals looking to tackle one of their first Seven Summit peaks. Traditionally the approach to climbing Aconcagua follows the philosophy of “climb high sleep low.” This is a very effective approach but often requires multiple carries to the high camps of the mountain. This approach forces you to repeat many of the hikes over and over. Mountain Madness launched a new program this winter where the concept of “climb high sleep low” is diversified to eliminate the multiple carries on the same hikes and adds several other spectacular Argentinian peaks up to 5475m / 17949ft.
Aconcagua at sunset
The Vallecito Valle, “Little Valley” is located on the Cordon del Palata, a dominant feature of the skyline outside of Mendoza and a popular local climbing area. It is not frequented by many foreigners and Mountain Madness currently may be the only U.S company to operate in this region. The area is used as a training ground for Argentina’s International Mountain Guide’s training.
The highlighted peaks of the area are Co Plata (5831m / 19130ft), Co Rincon (5364 m / 17598ft), and Pico Vallecitos (5475m / 17949ft).
![](https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fkraftwerk-mountain-madness.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fblog%2FPeaksLR-PicoFranke_Plata_Vallecitos_Rincon_1024.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=300&s=3baf373e960b182b75d68542c37af3ab 300w, https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fkraftwerk-mountain-madness.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fblog%2FPeaksLR-PicoFranke_Plata_Vallecitos_Rincon_1024.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=500&s=2813b7ad6cb50080d655b6f9073aa915 500w, https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fkraftwerk-mountain-madness.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fblog%2FPeaksLR-PicoFranke_Plata_Vallecitos_Rincon_1024.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=700&s=abdbee68e50888598c18658d38c26ea5 700w, https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fkraftwerk-mountain-madness.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fblog%2FPeaksLR-PicoFranke_Plata_Vallecitos_Rincon_1024.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=800&s=1c0a3964354de467ab346499894df472 800w, https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fkraftwerk-mountain-madness.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fblog%2FPeaksLR-PicoFranke_Plata_Vallecitos_Rincon_1024.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=1000&s=08e5091f9ead38cc5604cbb68d1206f6 1000w, https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fkraftwerk-mountain-madness.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fblog%2FPeaksLR-PicoFranke_Plata_Vallecitos_Rincon_1024.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=1200&s=0df1aa21ed335f042395a591435d0c77 1024w, https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fkraftwerk-mountain-madness.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fblog%2FPeaksLR-PicoFranke_Plata_Vallecitos_Rincon_1024.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=1400&s=01c4ef32dc3f6d2048e7816d1b86775d 1024w, https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fkraftwerk-mountain-madness.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fblog%2FPeaksLR-PicoFranke_Plata_Vallecitos_Rincon_1024.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=1600&s=8ddc0e00324c19c2334edb627f33a1ee 1024w)
Peaks from Left to right: Pico Franke, Plata, Vallecitos, Rincon
The trip into the Vallecito Valle begins at the Refugio San Bernardo, which offer deluxe yet rustic accommodation. There is free wifi available at the hut so you are able to do your last communication with the “real world” before you go completely go off the grid.
Our group settled in at the Refugio for the night and prepared for our first acclimatization hike up Lomas Blanca (12021 ft / 3664m) and Co Caucus (12611 ft / 3844 m).
![](https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fkraftwerk-mountain-madness.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fblog%2FRefugioSanBernardo_1024.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=300&s=8bbad6e1232c6452493f2444eb99c73c 300w, https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fkraftwerk-mountain-madness.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fblog%2FRefugioSanBernardo_1024.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=500&s=b518de9a0390f7a5207d0039bef84f16 500w, https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fkraftwerk-mountain-madness.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fblog%2FRefugioSanBernardo_1024.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=700&s=1ce639539fadbc6018c543d7f33eeffa 700w, https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fkraftwerk-mountain-madness.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fblog%2FRefugioSanBernardo_1024.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=800&s=73ae086ea3cca5d232d6d9613503d762 800w, https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fkraftwerk-mountain-madness.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fblog%2FRefugioSanBernardo_1024.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=1000&s=a7fb36eaf07e543e774825fbfa7414ff 1000w, https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fkraftwerk-mountain-madness.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fblog%2FRefugioSanBernardo_1024.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=1200&s=566e5dbc8b0721b7c6a67444a19cbbe7 1024w, https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fkraftwerk-mountain-madness.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fblog%2FRefugioSanBernardo_1024.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=1400&s=0917582af8b7930794fc0edf4b23e9f7 1024w, https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fkraftwerk-mountain-madness.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fblog%2FRefugioSanBernardo_1024.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=1600&s=7816f11bd87a9bd2a29d0c630c54f7a3 1024w)
Refugio San Bernardo
![](https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fkraftwerk-mountain-madness.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fblog%2FViewFromLomasBlanca_1024.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=300&s=71223545371d8fa4a1a056211b7b7583 300w, https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fkraftwerk-mountain-madness.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fblog%2FViewFromLomasBlanca_1024.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=500&s=cad2fc579d283de54a6367aa937acf4f 500w, https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fkraftwerk-mountain-madness.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fblog%2FViewFromLomasBlanca_1024.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=700&s=d68ff117bc729f47e72f81b592c0064f 700w, https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fkraftwerk-mountain-madness.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fblog%2FViewFromLomasBlanca_1024.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=800&s=76a4ecbfe156341e90fe83e34e36d656 800w, https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fkraftwerk-mountain-madness.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fblog%2FViewFromLomasBlanca_1024.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=1000&s=5e26b990c28979b596428d7c4483d7a6 1000w, https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fkraftwerk-mountain-madness.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fblog%2FViewFromLomasBlanca_1024.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=1200&s=3fba140c01be2ccd8b7d6c6ebea1cc2b 1024w, https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fkraftwerk-mountain-madness.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fblog%2FViewFromLomasBlanca_1024.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=1400&s=6724797dc42053786329ace69caf1223 1024w, https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fkraftwerk-mountain-madness.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fblog%2FViewFromLomasBlanca_1024.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=1600&s=d1124a7e18d4dae834a32eb6f51d461f 1024w)
View from Lomas Blanca
After summiting Lomas Blanca and Col Caucus, the group celebrated with an authentic asado prepared by “Chef Love” Henry back at the Refugio. The Asado was a mix of Tirra (short ribs), Bife de Chorizo (sirloin), Chorizo de Cerdo (sausage), and Pollo con Chimmicurri (chicken with Chimmiccuri sauce.
![](https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fkraftwerk-mountain-madness.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fblog%2FAsado_grill__1024.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=300&s=303d8a0493eb543876490e70bab76e5a 300w, https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fkraftwerk-mountain-madness.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fblog%2FAsado_grill__1024.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=500&s=feaa7c347f2343a4977fb5a44c0aa19b 500w, https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fkraftwerk-mountain-madness.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fblog%2FAsado_grill__1024.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=700&s=9ad48d592394f373a252d7f7e0cd1a75 700w, https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fkraftwerk-mountain-madness.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fblog%2FAsado_grill__1024.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=800&s=ac94ef814a427c20414f14f307229a4a 800w, https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fkraftwerk-mountain-madness.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fblog%2FAsado_grill__1024.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=1000&s=1487d6721e7050f57c74d9ca19e4a6e7 1000w, https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fkraftwerk-mountain-madness.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fblog%2FAsado_grill__1024.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=1200&s=210dda9e48fd328eb229a2e0c2df8f71 1024w, https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fkraftwerk-mountain-madness.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fblog%2FAsado_grill__1024.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=1400&s=69aeaf8e0329c8b2b27cc19c87b56a50 1024w, https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fkraftwerk-mountain-madness.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fblog%2FAsado_grill__1024.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=1600&s=83ed3392b1a3bfa3a82a16b8c2c12219 1024w)
Asado (Grill)
The next morning we departed from the hut to our first camp in the valley at Vega Superior. This was a spectacular campsite below Cerrro San Bernardo and our next two objectives of Adolfo Calle and Stepanek.
![](https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fkraftwerk-mountain-madness.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fblog%2FVegaSuperiorCamp1_1024.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=300&s=4dc00488b8c5837cf577b54c93673b65 300w, https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fkraftwerk-mountain-madness.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fblog%2FVegaSuperiorCamp1_1024.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=500&s=d8e582237d854416c6ae59d0bb4da1d0 500w, https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fkraftwerk-mountain-madness.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fblog%2FVegaSuperiorCamp1_1024.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=700&s=fce7000b7c00494d3cb63e6e9813a755 700w, https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fkraftwerk-mountain-madness.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fblog%2FVegaSuperiorCamp1_1024.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=800&s=97a9a27cc12f5b39fc769e69df561a18 800w, https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fkraftwerk-mountain-madness.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fblog%2FVegaSuperiorCamp1_1024.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=1000&s=fc14ef3a15b25e5255fc39125eedee08 1000w, https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fkraftwerk-mountain-madness.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fblog%2FVegaSuperiorCamp1_1024.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=1200&s=12e2359dacf39be568a91c185f4fe865 1024w, https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fkraftwerk-mountain-madness.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fblog%2FVegaSuperiorCamp1_1024.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=1400&s=cc622322d578798ba8ff1d6e6b7d7e61 1024w, https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fkraftwerk-mountain-madness.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fblog%2FVegaSuperiorCamp1_1024.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=1600&s=5bd303478fdcc8474309dc5a51a185d8 1024w)
![](https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fkraftwerk-mountain-madness.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fblog%2FVegaSuperiorCamp2_1024.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=300&s=bd559c336bd8a2e4c620c87b5c76ee44 300w, https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fkraftwerk-mountain-madness.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fblog%2FVegaSuperiorCamp2_1024.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=500&s=097d105f3dc2a7aeac757b22aaa52cb2 500w, https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fkraftwerk-mountain-madness.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fblog%2FVegaSuperiorCamp2_1024.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=700&s=733bd90338e179f3b59a4760daabee17 700w, https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fkraftwerk-mountain-madness.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fblog%2FVegaSuperiorCamp2_1024.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=800&s=bae04252a0abbdb6dae7484b72153cd2 800w, https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fkraftwerk-mountain-madness.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fblog%2FVegaSuperiorCamp2_1024.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=1000&s=eefcf1594f481b90be3cb7701f612db3 1000w, https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fkraftwerk-mountain-madness.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fblog%2FVegaSuperiorCamp2_1024.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=1200&s=90b474d2690c52af007d59e28e212def 1024w, https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fkraftwerk-mountain-madness.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fblog%2FVegaSuperiorCamp2_1024.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=1400&s=3c39cec928c3792b4b0d0cc2480e1201 1024w, https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fkraftwerk-mountain-madness.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fblog%2FVegaSuperiorCamp2_1024.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=1600&s=e67210e9069890e4b100b7f441a04960 1024w)
Vega Superior camp
As we ascended our two objectives for the day the skies were overcast. However, the summits delivered with low clouds and blue bird summits above the clouds!
![](https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fkraftwerk-mountain-madness.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fblog%2FToSummitofAdolfoCalle_1024.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=300&s=e1c82b1608362b98a386079329e42147 300w, https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fkraftwerk-mountain-madness.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fblog%2FToSummitofAdolfoCalle_1024.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=500&s=8e63b9d59651172c3897550737225de9 500w, https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fkraftwerk-mountain-madness.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fblog%2FToSummitofAdolfoCalle_1024.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=700&s=8ba3454a31858046cc15f9fda99e55f7 700w, https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fkraftwerk-mountain-madness.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fblog%2FToSummitofAdolfoCalle_1024.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=800&s=f84bce412c9493944ce8513c45e2a468 800w, https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fkraftwerk-mountain-madness.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fblog%2FToSummitofAdolfoCalle_1024.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=1000&s=98a6685763fd05b3987bd989122c94bc 1000w, https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fkraftwerk-mountain-madness.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fblog%2FToSummitofAdolfoCalle_1024.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=1200&s=e7e510459ca61634f74c035288783855 1024w, https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fkraftwerk-mountain-madness.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fblog%2FToSummitofAdolfoCalle_1024.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=1400&s=3f88effb18e385310d3c4b21394cf9f3 1024w, https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fkraftwerk-mountain-madness.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fblog%2FToSummitofAdolfoCalle_1024.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=1600&s=6a1e6973056530a1d0e7269d86033f89 1024w)
On the way to the summit of Adolfo Calle
![](https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fkraftwerk-mountain-madness.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fblog%2FOnSummitofAdolfoCalle_1024.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=300&s=92812e11d24e06911d2eff26f316f4a5 300w, https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fkraftwerk-mountain-madness.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fblog%2FOnSummitofAdolfoCalle_1024.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=500&s=f61f4c9644898e568286bc52efc561cd 500w, https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fkraftwerk-mountain-madness.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fblog%2FOnSummitofAdolfoCalle_1024.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=700&s=f54241788351c631369a2556558d4daa 700w, https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fkraftwerk-mountain-madness.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fblog%2FOnSummitofAdolfoCalle_1024.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=800&s=b72a782141ec9f3b1240db93aaa06d12 800w, https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fkraftwerk-mountain-madness.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fblog%2FOnSummitofAdolfoCalle_1024.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=1000&s=a52d4d220c5397f703da4f8629ba86cb 1000w, https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fkraftwerk-mountain-madness.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fblog%2FOnSummitofAdolfoCalle_1024.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=1200&s=878cba34c5a01f336ab7b74b0ecb7b53 1024w, https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fkraftwerk-mountain-madness.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fblog%2FOnSummitofAdolfoCalle_1024.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=1400&s=950e5c270ba49e787615dedc5668d12f 1024w, https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fkraftwerk-mountain-madness.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fblog%2FOnSummitofAdolfoCalle_1024.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=1600&s=3583e1f9691e82a21f319e62cc1ce9f3 1024w)
Summit of Adolfo Calle
![](https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fkraftwerk-mountain-madness.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fblog%2FSummitofStepanek_1024.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=300&s=99027fc76a16ef140c50a85116d40143 300w, https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fkraftwerk-mountain-madness.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fblog%2FSummitofStepanek_1024.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=500&s=72ceb5bae9a60ceaf47b9dbfa7a447ad 500w, https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fkraftwerk-mountain-madness.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fblog%2FSummitofStepanek_1024.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=700&s=cd82f768404c57b01b3615a0f972987e 700w, https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fkraftwerk-mountain-madness.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fblog%2FSummitofStepanek_1024.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=800&s=c44dce982a007198d6e687b69c12b287 800w, https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fkraftwerk-mountain-madness.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fblog%2FSummitofStepanek_1024.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=1000&s=28cfd1efdb83c359d03b05bab5a38d57 1000w, https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fkraftwerk-mountain-madness.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fblog%2FSummitofStepanek_1024.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=1200&s=1e96514551f47529a7eed76ecfb2b88d 1024w, https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fkraftwerk-mountain-madness.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fblog%2FSummitofStepanek_1024.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=1400&s=445bfcfc5114b0f643904f4d9c176709 1024w, https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fkraftwerk-mountain-madness.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fblog%2FSummitofStepanek_1024.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=1600&s=c1cdd5eb04bef8f3b11766100f631af3 1024w)
Summit of Stepanek
Our final basecamp was at El Salto which was about 3000 ft / 1000m of elevation gain. The approach allowed for great views of the Plata, Vallecitos, and Rincon throughout the hike.
![](https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fkraftwerk-mountain-madness.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fblog%2FMarkRebecca_BreakonwaytoElSalto_1024.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=300&s=371707b36a0478edb7ea93337da52566 300w, https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fkraftwerk-mountain-madness.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fblog%2FMarkRebecca_BreakonwaytoElSalto_1024.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=500&s=58c1dcca91616511b729f831c92fdc2c 500w, https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fkraftwerk-mountain-madness.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fblog%2FMarkRebecca_BreakonwaytoElSalto_1024.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=700&s=5b3bd06b2efa2fe2912407d3201f9caf 700w, https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fkraftwerk-mountain-madness.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fblog%2FMarkRebecca_BreakonwaytoElSalto_1024.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=800&s=d45ca1f8f841fee2d84a417dda88d2a2 800w, https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fkraftwerk-mountain-madness.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fblog%2FMarkRebecca_BreakonwaytoElSalto_1024.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=1000&s=74aa004a34700f19313d10d5305f2575 1000w, https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fkraftwerk-mountain-madness.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fblog%2FMarkRebecca_BreakonwaytoElSalto_1024.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=1200&s=5e43ae77dcb4eada49280cd865bed55e 1024w, https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fkraftwerk-mountain-madness.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fblog%2FMarkRebecca_BreakonwaytoElSalto_1024.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=1400&s=f24ac639a41d03743322f260eaddd900 1024w, https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fkraftwerk-mountain-madness.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fblog%2FMarkRebecca_BreakonwaytoElSalto_1024.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=1600&s=f1ce154977b5f808f554c6c7d118c780 1024w)
Mark and Rebecca enjoying a break on the way to El Salto
![](https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fkraftwerk-mountain-madness.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fblog%2FViewsofVallecitofromBC_1024.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=300&s=6a2fe3f91461557ced28a461cc869195 300w, https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fkraftwerk-mountain-madness.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fblog%2FViewsofVallecitofromBC_1024.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=500&s=366aaa033ed0247e1cca9257f41f42bc 500w, https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fkraftwerk-mountain-madness.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fblog%2FViewsofVallecitofromBC_1024.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=700&s=8eb18698137459236846a57d0fed5d02 700w, https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fkraftwerk-mountain-madness.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fblog%2FViewsofVallecitofromBC_1024.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=800&s=b56f54ee62267ce26819b12b97a08b46 800w, https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fkraftwerk-mountain-madness.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fblog%2FViewsofVallecitofromBC_1024.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=1000&s=0d8d86986005549f66837da55b5dfb09 1000w, https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fkraftwerk-mountain-madness.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fblog%2FViewsofVallecitofromBC_1024.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=1200&s=f860e0811abf651fd17067ccc5f8b547 1024w, https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fkraftwerk-mountain-madness.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fblog%2FViewsofVallecitofromBC_1024.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=1400&s=ebf829ac0ba019838db1a96b59796048 1024w, https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fkraftwerk-mountain-madness.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fblog%2FViewsofVallecitofromBC_1024.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=1600&s=dd7f3797a7cd97aa855976305dbaad86 1024w)
Views of of Vallecito from basecamp
After a rest day we departed basecamp at 5:30 for the summit of Vallecitos! With a spectacular blue bird day the group easily made it to the summit!
![](https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fkraftwerk-mountain-madness.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fblog%2FPenitentesBelowFirstRidgeline_1024.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=300&s=8a349fbe729d7a05e79540c533df840e 300w, https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fkraftwerk-mountain-madness.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fblog%2FPenitentesBelowFirstRidgeline_1024.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=500&s=6e278085a7e9cff2b7fdbd5c7c515fb9 500w, https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fkraftwerk-mountain-madness.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fblog%2FPenitentesBelowFirstRidgeline_1024.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=700&s=5c4fdd9bf1e66e610272c87b4771e603 700w, https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fkraftwerk-mountain-madness.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fblog%2FPenitentesBelowFirstRidgeline_1024.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=800&s=31f7885c19f1cea7fa0061f859d129ce 800w, https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fkraftwerk-mountain-madness.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fblog%2FPenitentesBelowFirstRidgeline_1024.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=1000&s=dd9a38c373af08e7b9bba84fc12d3fb0 1000w, https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fkraftwerk-mountain-madness.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fblog%2FPenitentesBelowFirstRidgeline_1024.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=1200&s=398ea74fd4fb4e0b345327e5932e2ae0 1024w, https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fkraftwerk-mountain-madness.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fblog%2FPenitentesBelowFirstRidgeline_1024.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=1400&s=fb6542c7389d4f2d1481f57a2de3743a 1024w, https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fkraftwerk-mountain-madness.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fblog%2FPenitentesBelowFirstRidgeline_1024.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=1600&s=171b78d46f1ca17076467718528dfef6 1024w)
Penitentes below the first ridgeline
![](https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fkraftwerk-mountain-madness.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fblog%2FSummitRidgeVallecitos_1024.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=300&s=754140e8b22898d029245c73ad3407b3 300w, https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fkraftwerk-mountain-madness.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fblog%2FSummitRidgeVallecitos_1024.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=500&s=9a21795e502eafb39bd3997163d4b468 500w, https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fkraftwerk-mountain-madness.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fblog%2FSummitRidgeVallecitos_1024.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=700&s=8935e0f96c5b35d2e2b96ae11b209401 700w, https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fkraftwerk-mountain-madness.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fblog%2FSummitRidgeVallecitos_1024.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=800&s=999baf133ae2e24d4919d4390323ac72 800w, https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fkraftwerk-mountain-madness.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fblog%2FSummitRidgeVallecitos_1024.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=1000&s=653766e2f13e497abd6109b5d9061ad5 1000w, https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fkraftwerk-mountain-madness.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fblog%2FSummitRidgeVallecitos_1024.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=1200&s=58631d99d9734fa91bf9928c5605d59c 1024w, https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fkraftwerk-mountain-madness.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fblog%2FSummitRidgeVallecitos_1024.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=1400&s=a36f458d189fceb4e05211e4362807e6 1024w, https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fkraftwerk-mountain-madness.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fblog%2FSummitRidgeVallecitos_1024.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=1600&s=14e3421e5e7d30c8fdf05ebf1148d1ee 1024w)
Spectacular summit ridge of Vallecitos
![](https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fkraftwerk-mountain-madness.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fblog%2FSummitVallecitos_1024.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=300&s=137a5cdc0e705f3c835401ba60687ce4 300w, https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fkraftwerk-mountain-madness.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fblog%2FSummitVallecitos_1024.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=500&s=5064d6e6319c5c3badd13723d9546ebd 500w, https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fkraftwerk-mountain-madness.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fblog%2FSummitVallecitos_1024.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=700&s=ec923a8ac01f4f5d9c81f90d6fbac0e1 700w, https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fkraftwerk-mountain-madness.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fblog%2FSummitVallecitos_1024.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=800&s=f67421364e1f327ac655f5bec4ae0f08 800w, https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fkraftwerk-mountain-madness.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fblog%2FSummitVallecitos_1024.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=1000&s=01b30175932ce88acadec61dbadb4bab 1000w, https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fkraftwerk-mountain-madness.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fblog%2FSummitVallecitos_1024.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=1200&s=550591a22bf95d65f2e2eb955499758a 1024w, https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fkraftwerk-mountain-madness.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fblog%2FSummitVallecitos_1024.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=1400&s=f9464966af08ad8212826212bc486782 1024w, https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fkraftwerk-mountain-madness.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fblog%2FSummitVallecitos_1024.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=1600&s=6d88aee8990628fd942dbeb71633e70c 1024w)
Summit of Vallecitos
In some ways this was a trip on its own, but for us it was the only beginning! We were then off to Aconcagua.
~MM Guide Jaime Pollitte, text and all photos