Steve Hayes - Aconcagua Updates

Southport Lifeboat
Jan 8
3 min read

Updated: Jan 19

Southport Lifeboat volunteer Steve Hayes is taking on the incredible challenge of climbing Aconcagua, the highest mountain in the Americas. Joined by fellow Tri4Life member Liam Hanlon, the pair are undertaking this demanding expedition to raise vital funds for our independent lifeboat service.

Standing at nearly 7,000 metres, Aconcagua is a true test of endurance, resilience and determination. Throughout the expedition we’ll be sharing updates (subject to the team having signal), along with photos and progress from the mountain, as Steve pushes towards the summit in support of our independent lifeboat service.

Follow along below as the adventure unfolds.

If you’d like to support Steve’s Aconcagua Challenge and help fund Southport Lifeboat’s lifesaving work, you can donate securely by clicking here.

Sunday 18th January

We left the camp for the summit yesterday at about 04:20 and managed to summit at 15.30!

https://video.wixstatic.com/video/e9215b_9cbe1ffc4b564986a0d600c2cf171b03/480p/mp4/file.mp4

It was absolutely brutal, there were points I thought I would not get there but was over the moon to get there, quite emotional on the summit especially achieving it when it was so tough, really great weather too and amazing views as you would expect, now down at Plaza de Mulas base camp on the other side of the mountain.

Friday 16th January

Tough walk again today up steep snow slopes in crampons with heavy pack, all being well we head for the summit at 4am tomorrow. At least the pack will only have essentials in. I imaging it will be 8 to 10 hours up, then a few hours back to this camp. Crunch time!!

Wednesday 14th January

Hi all, I'm surprised we got signal here to send an update, it's not our Wi-Fi but it is open!

A very tough day yesterday. The route was steep and the 25 kg pack made it a long 4.5 hours to reach this point. We took a rest day with the intention of moving to the final camp tomorrow, but the forecast now shows winds of 100 km/h, so we’ll be staying put.

We’re two days away from a possible summit, so the earliest attempt will now be Saturday, and even then the window may be small. No one has summited for a week due to the conditions, but we remain hopeful.

All well here and hoping the same for you all back home.

https://video.wixstatic.com/video/e9215b_ecb6642a1c0545ccb9ecd08d8e627364/480p/mp4/file.mp4

Sunday 11th January

Great day yesterday up to camp 1, tough climb and all glad to reach camp and deposit our loads before the descent, enjoying a rest day today at base camp and final shower for 8-12 days before setting off to camp 1 again and then on up the mountain.

I don’t think there will be any signal either after today, but you can track our progress via a satellite tracker I am carrying - https://www.adventurepeaks.com/news/aconcagua-expedition-news-3rd-january-2026/.

Thanks for your support.

Thursday 8th January

Tough day today to base camp at 4,200m, all arrived safely, 8hrs walking, started off cold and wet with rain and a very cold river crossing in Crocs, it was like having needles in my feet it was that cold.

The rain gave way to snow, then the cloud thinned giving some great views and a bit of welcomed warmth.

We are looking forward to a rest day tomorrow before going to camp one. It's nice knowing we have support at home, thanks all.

Tuesday 6th January

Successful trek to camp 1, 5.5 hrs of trekking, tough day as hot and dusty and a lot of loose rocks underfoot, now at just under 10,000 feet. The team are going to enjoy a BBQ tea before longer day tomorrow. Hopefully get a good nights sleep as first night under canvas.