GUNUNG · Argentina

Mercedario

Information

Elevation: 6.720 m
Country: Argentina (AR)
Location / Range: Cordillera de la Ramada, Central Andes
Mountain type: Mountain
Volcanic?: No (non-volcanic)
Coordinates: -31.9790, -70.1130
Best Season: December–March

Description

Mercedario (6,720 m) is the highest peak of the Cordillera de la Ramada and the eighth-highest mountain in South America. Located in Argentina's San Juan Province near the Chile border, it receives fewer than 1% of the visitors that Aconcagua attracts despite similar conditions. The Normal Route (Ruta de los Incas) passes Inca archaeological ruins and requires no technical climbing, making it accessible to well-acclimatized trekkers-turned-mountaineers.

Gallery

Foto bersumber dari Wikimedia Commons — klik untuk memperbesar & lihat sumbernya.

Routes

Ruta Normal (Ruta de los Incas)

Berat (non-teknis, ketinggian ekstrem)

13–18 hari (termasuk aklimatisasi)

Pendekatan dari Laguna Blanca (~3.100 m) via kamp-kamp di Guanaquitos, Cuesta Blanca, Pirca de Indios, dan La Ollada. Melewati reruntuhan arkeologi Inca di ketinggian tinggi. Tidak memerlukan teknik pemanjatan khusus, tetapi aklimatisasi bertahap sangat penting di atas 6.000 m. Musim pendakian: Desember–Maret.

Sisi Selatan (Japanese Route)

Sangat berat (teknis — AD)

5–7 hari (dari base camp)

Jalur teknis ~2.000 m di sisi selatan via Gletser Caballito — melibatkan pendakian es dan mixed berkelanjutan. Pertama kali dinaiki ekspedisi Jepang pada 1968. Risiko rockfall dan penitentes di ketinggian bawah. Hanya untuk pendaki gunung berpengalaman.

Climbing Experiences

Mercedario is an Andean six-thousander in Argentina that receives barely any visitors compared to Aconcagua despite similar altitude and conditions. The Normal Route (Ruta de los Incas) requires no technical climbing, but extreme altitude above 6,000 m and 13–18 days of acclimatization present the main challenge. Climbers highlight the extraordinary solitude, Inca archaeological finds at altitude, and Aconcagua views from Camp La Ollada.

References

The summary above is compiled from the following sources. Click to explore them yourself.