Porters on Aconcagua: Everything You Need to Know Before Deciding
Porters are a key part of many Aconcagua expeditions. Understanding how the system works helps climbers manage their load, conserve energy, and make better decisions before and during the ascent.
Climbing Aconcagua, as with any expedition of this kind, requires a significant effort from the climber. On its most traveled routes, the Normal Route and the Polish Traverse, there is no technical climbing involved on standard guided itineraries, but the physical demand is constant and cumulative. It is an accessible mountain, but not one for those who arrive unprepared.
This is where the porting system becomes a central part of any expedition. Hiring porters allows climbers to reduce the load on their backs and conserve energy for the sections of the mountain that actually require it. That is the purpose of any porting system, whether on Aconcagua, Everest, or Kilimanjaro.
The idea of this post is to clear up as many doubts as possible so that whoever joins our expeditions understands exactly what they will find on the mountain.
How the Porting System Works
The system in a scheduled expedition is straightforward. Each climber carries two types of load: personal equipment, including sleeping bag, boots, and clothing, and a proportional share of the common expedition equipment, which includes tents, stoves, food, fuel, and group gear.
Normal Route:
- Day 8: Carry to Camp 1 (Canada).
- Day 13: Carry to Camp 3 (Plaza Cólera).
These days serve a dual purpose: moving equipment up the mountain and supporting acclimatization.
Polish Traverse:
- Day 7: Carry to Camp 1.
- Day 10: Carry to Camp 2.
- Day 13: Carry to Camp 3 (Plaza Cólera).
On the approach trek to both base camps, all expedition gear travels by mule. Climbers carry only their personal daypack.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does the porting system work in a private expedition?
Exactly the same as in a scheduled expedition. The only difference is the departure date and the group composition. Everything else, including the porting system, stays the same.
Do I need to bring a separate backpack for the porter?
Not at all. Our porters are trained mountaineers with their own complete mountain gear. They carry high-capacity backpacks, typically between 90 and 110 liters, and have everything they need to do their job on the mountain.
If I hire a porter, will they walk alongside me?
No. Porters move faster than expedition members and usually leave earlier, with the goal of reaching the next camp before the group arrives. In some cases, due to weather or conditions, they may arrive at roughly the same time, but that is the exception. Loads must be handed over the day before departure from base camp, or early in the morning when the carry takes place between high camps.
How much weight does a porter carry?
A porter carries up to 20 kilograms. Half-carry loads of 10 kilograms are also available.
Can I share a porter with another expedition member?
Yes, and it is quite common. Expedition members frequently hand over their share of the common equipment to be carried jointly by one porter.
If I don’t hire a porter, how much will I carry?
On carry days, climbers can expect to transport up to 10 kilograms of shared expedition equipment, in addition to their personal gear.
Can I arrange porting directly with a porter on the mountain?
Absolutely not. All porting is coordinated through AMG, either through our sales team in Mendoza, the base camp managers, the porter managers, or the expedition guide. There are no exceptions to this.
Can I pay for porters by credit card?
Yes. Payment can be made in Mendoza, from your home country before the expedition, or at base camp before it begins. We recommend not waiting until the high camps to arrange this, since altitude has a way of complicating simple tasks.
Do I have to tip the porter?
No. Tipping is not mandatory, and our porter staff will not claim it in any way. That said, if a porter performed their job well, or went beyond it, the client is completely free to tip as they see fit. There is no stipulated amount. It depends entirely on the passenger’s experience and goodwill.
Is there a discount for booking porters in advance?
Yes. Good discounts are available for those who book their porting packages up to 45 days before the expedition starts.
Should I bring a scale to weigh my load?
There is no need to. Both the porter manager and our porters carry their own scales. Passengers are welcome to bring one if they prefer, but it is not necessary.
Is it advisable to hire a porter?
This is a question every climber needs to answer for themselves, based on their goals and their honest assessment of their own fitness. That said, we always recommend it. Climbing with less weight allows for better recovery between camps, better sleep, and better decision-making in the final sections of the mountain. It increases, though does not guarantee, the chances of reaching the summit.
The difference between moving with 15 to 20 kilograms and moving with only water, food, and warm clothing from one camp to the next is not a small one. For many climbers, it turns out to be decisive.
These are the questions we hear most often. We believe that the best decision is always the one made with the most information available. Our job is to build the infrastructure, put the right team in place, and give every expedition the best possible chance of success. Just that. And for those who come here to climb Aconcagua, that is not a small thing. In fact, it means everything.