After traversing the tunnel between Chile and Argentina we
dropped from a high point of 3200 meters at the pass down to 1500 meters at
Uspallata. We are now finally able to rid ourselves of the heavy traffic and
venture onto the quiet rural roads of Argentina.
Our route starts to ascend shortly after town and is
unrelenting for the next 25 kms. We are traversing a second tier of mountains -
the 'old' Andes as local Argentineans tell us - but this ascent is an
altogether different experience than our first big climb. We are now on a road
with absolutely no traffic and panoramic views that would make even the most
jaded traveller gape in awe. Aconcagua overlooks its kingdom in the West, at 23,000
ft the tallest mountain in the Americas, the King upon its thrown.
We maintain a steady run up to a point just shy of the pass,
the rarefied oxygen of 2900 meters finally taking its toll and forcing us to a
walk. We crest the summit and are awarded to views to the east, a vast
landscape extending to a hazy horizon.
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