Cerro Coronel Pedro Zanni
The Cerro Coronel Pedro Zanni is located in the majestic Andes mountain range, at the end of the picturesque valley known as Quebrada de Matienzo, in the Province of Mendoza, Argentina.
To access this breathtaking natural setting, one must take the National Route No. 7. After passing through the small town of Las Cuevas and just before reaching the border checkpoint with the neighboring country of Chile, an exhilarating 7-kilometer hike begins, leading us directly to the base of the imposing mountain.
The two safest ways to ascend this mountain are through the southern face. One of them follows the ridge seen to the right in the image, and the second, more direct, goes through the central gully, provided it is covered with snow.
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| Cerro Cnel. Pedro Zanni 4200 m.a.s.l |
The path runs northward along the left bank of the Las Cuevas River. The trail is well-marked and does not have a significant elevation gain until reaching the base camp, located just in front of the mountain.
For this expedition, it is necessary to be self-sufficient, as there are no mountain shelters or supply centers nearby. You can set up your tent at the base camp, and it is recommended to surround the tent with a stone wall (pirca) to mitigate the impact of the winds. The water from the Las Cuevas River is drinkable, and if it is frozen, you can always melt snow or ice for drink.
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| Cerro Cnel. Pedro Zanni Base Camp |
The beginning of the ascent along the ridge involves a zigzag along the mountain's slope, following a clearly marked trail. Upon reaching the ridge leading to the summit, the path becomes more technical, requiring caution due to the presence of loose rocks. A fall towards the northern face could have fatal consequences.
The ridge presents several false summits, it is helpful to know this beforehand to stay motivated and continue with determination. The summit is easily identifiable, marked by a wooden pole among the rocks and a small glass jar for leaving testimonies of the ascents.
From the summit, the view is simply breathtaking. To the west, the mountain range marking the border between Argentina and Chile stretches out. To the east, there is a fascinating panorama of the imposing western face of Mount Aconcagua and the magnificent Messner Glacier. To the north, the ridge of Cerro Pedro Zanni curves sinuously up to the summit of Cerro Nevado Matienzo.
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| Co. Pedro Zanni Summit |
The descent should preferably be done through the central gully as it is faster and safer. If there is hard-packed snow, it is essential to have crampons and an ice axe for a secure descent.
Technical Specifications
- Difficulty: Moderate
- Equipment: Technical gear for navigating snowy terrain (crampons and ice axe).
- Camp: Self-sufficient (tent and food).
- Waste Management: Self-sufficient.
- Water: Accessible sources of potable water.
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