Aconcagua

Aconcagua the Comeback

In four days I will be facing Aconcagua for the second time, 2 years ago I had to turn around only 200m from the summit (3hrs climbing) after spending 3 weeks in the mountain, many months training hard because of bad weather. I have to admit back then I did not have the experience to know what to wear and how to put on some of the gear, which wanted time in the morning gearing up. Not to know what to wear, and the fear of frost bites I put on many layers I didn’t need, which caused me to over heat thus made me very slow on summit day. I missed my summit window by 1hr; if I were a bit faster a bit more experienced I would have summited 2 years ago. But I wasn’t.

This experience made me stronger in many ways I cannot explain, every time I am on a mountain now I remember how it felt to turn around so close from my goal. This pushes me harder and harder and I always give it my 110%. I am now more focused than ever to climb it this time.

I heard amazing news from Garrett (our guide) he just summited with amazing weather. I pray for good weather and health on the mountain for with out one of them climbing any mountain is impossible.

By now I am trying not to push very hard in training, and concentrate more in doing lots of stairs and spend as much time as I can in the Altitude Chamber at Sharjah Golf & Shooting Club. I fear risk of any injury that might affect my climb. I am also set in terms of gear, packed all the equipment, gear, clothing, favorite sweets (gummy bears).

ROTA have been very generous in sponsoring to document my climb, and hope you will all experience my climb, and what it takes to climb. I am excited to do this and looking forward in giving it my best shot.

Aconcagua

Aconcagua, is a mountain with many faces, situated near the Argentinean/Chilean border. It is almost 7km in altitude is often underestimated which has resulted in serious injuries, mostly on the normal route. The extreme cold, stormy winds and altitude make this mountain a seriously challenging. Standing at 6,962m it makes Aconcagua the highest mountain in the Americas and the highest mountain outside of Asia.

Traditionally there are three guided routes on Aconcagua: Route Normal, Polish Variation, and the Guanacos Glacier Route. I will be taking the Polish Variation route. It is on the East side of the mountain and less traveled which makes us enjoy the wilderness in climbing it is also a much more beautiful approach.
I will be traversing the mountain and go down the normal route. The trip might take up to 24 days depending on weather and other factors in the mountain.

Next Climb

It has been a while since my last post, I was preparing for my next climb, which will take place in two weeks. This time I’m set to climb my 5th of the 7 Summits Mount Aconcagua 6,962m. I have previously attempted to climb Aconcagua but had to turn around at 6,700m only 3hrs from the Summit due to extremely bad weather. I have been training really hard for my comeback, ran marathons, train in altitude chambers and lots and lots of stairs with heavy a backpack.

There are 4 of us going from the region:

Mohammed Al Thani Qatar
Raed Zidan Palestine
Anis Tabka Tunisia
Ziad Al Sharabi Palestine