ericd - Jan 26, 2019 8:01 pm Date Climbed: Jan 18, 2019
Polish Traverse
18-day traverse from Campos de Argentina to Campos de Mulas. In and out near the ski village of Penitentes. 4 hour drive to Mendoza. Weather is paramount to the bid for a summit so give your team a few extra days. "Impasse" (60mph) winds affected our scheduled provision carries but subsided for a summit window and an extra long hour on top of Aconcagua's 23,000' plateau.
The high altitude degradation was not bad. Out of the 9 of us, some took diamox some did not. I tried to carbo load meals and came to the mountain prepared and conditioned. No magic pill or secret key to success. I simply chose exercises that resembled climbing's endurance and measured my ongoing progress back at the gym. Used a VO2max heart rate formula found in an old Runners magazine that factored in weight (8%), age (38%), gender, performance best times (326%), and pulse (16%). Will admit our acclimated group of 9 continuously carried a strong pace up the mountain.
Porters are on the ready to help out. Prices are steep and will run over-budget quickly. Certain things such as waste and trash will need to be a group consensus. Heavy loads weren't unexpected and I carried what my rented expedition pack would secure. Pack should be large capacity (say 98L) to carry everything. Water is probably the heaviest item so plan accurately. "Drink more water" is such an overused cliche. Check the color of your urine stream instead of having an over reliance on water. Don't make water your weak link!
Finally Bonatti said it best: "The mountains are a means, the man is the end, the idea is to improve the man, not to reach the top of mountains, climbing only makes sense, if you consider the man."
February 16, 1997 failed solo attempt up False Polish Glacier Route on Aconcagua. My slow acclimatization kept me lower (managed to save a solo climber’s life who was probably dying of pulmonary edema, you’re welcome) than my two team mates (Philippe G./ Thomas B.) Phil and Tom summitted via the False Polish route on Feb. 14. I left our camp below the Polish Glacier for a solo attempt on Feb. 16.
Cruised to the Independencia hut, but then the weather began to deteriorate. My traverse of the Gran Acarreo was in near whiteout conditions, with high winds and this is where I began to suffer from high altitude sickness. I managed to scramble up to the top of La Canaleta, when my condition, and the weather, became very serious.
Sitting alone in a complete whiteout with the temperature likely below -30 degrees Celsius with probably 80 km/hour winds and feeling like my worst hangover ever (no energy, strong desire to vomit, severe headache) a group descending from the summit approached. Their leader, a friendly English speaking policeman from Medoza (who had just completed his fourth Aconcagua summit) told me that the weather was only going to get worse and likely the Viento Blanco could occur. I assured the gentleman I was fine as they moved on. I just sat there the next half hour, sort of aware of my position, completely alone, questioning what I should do. Eventually I descended.
I am guessing I reached 6900 metres (?). For about ten years it really bothered me that I didn’t push on, and thought about returning to Aconcagua. Now, with a family and a busy career, I am happy to pursue local summits. But maybe when I retire ;-)
davidpickavance - Mar 9, 2012 5:14 pm Date Climbed: Feb 3, 2012
Polish Traverse
I went with Alpine Ascents so we had 4 camps rather than the usual 2 or 3. Very high winds meant we had to take an extra 4 days in Plaza Argentina. I really enjoyed the climb. Up to that point, the highest I had been was the top of Whitney.
Petro - Oct 24, 2009 8:11 pm Date Climbed: Mar 5, 2009
Polish Traverse
I wrote more about it in the Aconcagua log. Easy route but hard conditions. Something to remember.
bighornmonkey - Jan 18, 2008 8:54 pm Date Climbed: Jan 12, 2006
Done...
Intended for the direct Polish but ended up on the Polish traverse...we then circumnavigated the mountain to see something different...very good trip. Met some good people.
Brad Marshall - Jan 17, 2007 1:15 am Date Climbed: Jan 8, 2007
Polish Traverse
Climbed the Traverse with Sue and we both reached the summit on a perfectly windless, sunny day. Climbed with Muddeer below, snocat and cdog all really strong climbers. Glad you enjoyed the expedition Muddeer.
Muddeer - Jan 15, 2007 4:49 pm Date Climbed: Jan 6, 2007
Aconcagua Polish Traverse
Started from Camp 2 at around 630am. Reached the summit almost 9 hrs later. Didn't stay more than 2 minutes on it, as bad weather was moving in. I climbed solo and was the last person on summit that day. In fact, I didn't see a soul, not even from distance, as descended back to camp in snow. Great trip. Was a part of Brad Marshall's 2006/2007 expedition. Special thanks to Brad and Sue for organizing the trip.
osatrik - Aug 25, 2006 5:45 am Date Climbed: Feb 2, 1997
OSAT CASE '97
See the report on our multi-page expedition web site. This expedition traversed the mountain (up the Polish side, down Ruta Normal), spent 40 hours 5 folks in a 3-man tent at 20,300 ft getting blown to bits by the Vente Blanca, but did not summit.
Brad Marshall - Jul 4, 2006 12:25 pm Date Climbed: Jan 11, 2006
Polish Traverse
My wife and I climbed the Polish Traverse on our own but got pinned down in 100 mph winds at Camp 2 for 36 hours and ran out of time. The weather wasn't getting any better and we had a flight to catch. Met a lot of nice peolpe along the route including William Marler and Laurie Skreslet (SAS) and Lapka Rita Sherpa (AAI).
William Marler - May 9, 2006 5:28 pm Date Climbed: Jan 9, 1999
Polish Traverse
Fast time to the summit with Jonathan Stanley. Great day.
William Marler - May 9, 2006 5:27 pm Date Climbed: Jan 10, 2006
Polish Traverse
Excellent day as the weather which had been bad co-operated.
ericd - Jan 26, 2019 8:01 pm Date Climbed: Jan 18, 2019
Polish Traverse18-day traverse from Campos de Argentina to Campos de Mulas. In and out near the ski village of Penitentes. 4 hour drive to Mendoza. Weather is paramount to the bid for a summit so give your team a few extra days. "Impasse" (60mph) winds affected our scheduled provision carries but subsided for a summit window and an extra long hour on top of Aconcagua's 23,000' plateau.
The high altitude degradation was not bad. Out of the 9 of us, some took diamox some did not. I tried to carbo load meals and came to the mountain prepared and conditioned. No magic pill or secret key to success. I simply chose exercises that resembled climbing's endurance and measured my ongoing progress back at the gym. Used a VO2max heart rate formula found in an old Runners magazine that factored in weight (8%), age (38%), gender, performance best times (326%), and pulse (16%). Will admit our acclimated group of 9 continuously carried a strong pace up the mountain.
Porters are on the ready to help out. Prices are steep and will run over-budget quickly. Certain things such as waste and trash will need to be a group consensus. Heavy loads weren't unexpected and I carried what my rented expedition pack would secure. Pack should be large capacity (say 98L) to carry everything. Water is probably the heaviest item so plan accurately. "Drink more water" is such an overused cliche. Check the color of your urine stream instead of having an over reliance on water. Don't make water your weak link!
Finally Bonatti said it best: "The mountains are a means, the man is the end, the idea is to improve the man, not to reach the top of mountains, climbing only makes sense, if you consider the man."
Old School WB - Sep 5, 2012 3:39 pm
failed solo attemptFebruary 16, 1997 failed solo attempt up False Polish Glacier Route on Aconcagua. My slow acclimatization kept me lower (managed to save a solo climber’s life who was probably dying of pulmonary edema, you’re welcome) than my two team mates (Philippe G./ Thomas B.) Phil and Tom summitted via the False Polish route on Feb. 14. I left our camp below the Polish Glacier for a solo attempt on Feb. 16.
Cruised to the Independencia hut, but then the weather began to deteriorate. My traverse of the Gran Acarreo was in near whiteout conditions, with high winds and this is where I began to suffer from high altitude sickness. I managed to scramble up to the top of La Canaleta, when my condition, and the weather, became very serious.
Sitting alone in a complete whiteout with the temperature likely below -30 degrees Celsius with probably 80 km/hour winds and feeling like my worst hangover ever (no energy, strong desire to vomit, severe headache) a group descending from the summit approached. Their leader, a friendly English speaking policeman from Medoza (who had just completed his fourth Aconcagua summit) told me that the weather was only going to get worse and likely the Viento Blanco could occur. I assured the gentleman I was fine as they moved on. I just sat there the next half hour, sort of aware of my position, completely alone, questioning what I should do. Eventually I descended.
I am guessing I reached 6900 metres (?). For about ten years it really bothered me that I didn’t push on, and thought about returning to Aconcagua. Now, with a family and a busy career, I am happy to pursue local summits. But maybe when I retire ;-)
davidpickavance - Mar 9, 2012 5:14 pm Date Climbed: Feb 3, 2012
Polish TraverseI went with Alpine Ascents so we had 4 camps rather than the usual 2 or 3. Very high winds meant we had to take an extra 4 days in Plaza Argentina. I really enjoyed the climb. Up to that point, the highest I had been was the top of Whitney.
Petro - Oct 24, 2009 8:11 pm Date Climbed: Mar 5, 2009
Polish TraverseI wrote more about it in the Aconcagua log. Easy route but hard conditions. Something to remember.
bighornmonkey - Jan 18, 2008 8:54 pm Date Climbed: Jan 12, 2006
Done...Intended for the direct Polish but ended up on the Polish traverse...we then circumnavigated the mountain to see something different...very good trip. Met some good people.
Brad Marshall - Jan 17, 2007 1:15 am Date Climbed: Jan 8, 2007
Polish TraverseClimbed the Traverse with Sue and we both reached the summit on a perfectly windless, sunny day. Climbed with Muddeer below, snocat and cdog all really strong climbers. Glad you enjoyed the expedition Muddeer.
Muddeer - Jan 15, 2007 4:49 pm Date Climbed: Jan 6, 2007
Aconcagua Polish TraverseStarted from Camp 2 at around 630am. Reached the summit almost 9 hrs later. Didn't stay more than 2 minutes on it, as bad weather was moving in. I climbed solo and was the last person on summit that day. In fact, I didn't see a soul, not even from distance, as descended back to camp in snow. Great trip. Was a part of Brad Marshall's 2006/2007 expedition. Special thanks to Brad and Sue for organizing the trip.
osatrik - Aug 25, 2006 5:45 am Date Climbed: Feb 2, 1997
OSAT CASE '97See the report on our multi-page expedition web site. This expedition traversed the mountain (up the Polish side, down Ruta Normal), spent 40 hours 5 folks in a 3-man tent at 20,300 ft getting blown to bits by the Vente Blanca, but did not summit.
Brad Marshall - Jul 4, 2006 12:25 pm Date Climbed: Jan 11, 2006
Polish TraverseMy wife and I climbed the Polish Traverse on our own but got pinned down in 100 mph winds at Camp 2 for 36 hours and ran out of time. The weather wasn't getting any better and we had a flight to catch. Met a lot of nice peolpe along the route including William Marler and Laurie Skreslet (SAS) and Lapka Rita Sherpa (AAI).
William Marler - May 9, 2006 5:28 pm Date Climbed: Jan 9, 1999
Polish TraverseFast time to the summit with Jonathan Stanley. Great day.
William Marler - May 9, 2006 5:27 pm Date Climbed: Jan 10, 2006
Polish TraverseExcellent day as the weather which had been bad co-operated.