Argentina

Named ‘Acconcahuac’ (the “stone sentinel”) by the Incas, Aconcagua is located in the heart of the Central Andes in Western Argentina near the border of Chile. At 6,960 meters (22,835 feet) high, it is the highest peak in South America, the highest peak outside of the Himalayas and the second highest of the Seven Summits (the highest mountain in each of the seven continents).  Many of the greatest mountaineers in history have scaled this summit.

Climbing Aconcagua along the main routes requires minimal technical skills, with the only necessary experience being walking in crampons and using an ice axe. Whist it is often referred to as the highest ‘trekking peak’ in the world, that does not make it an easy climb and every year, only a third of the climbers reach the summit. Aconcagua is a big step up from the more popular African peak, Kilimanjaro. It is a long and extremely tough climb that requires a high level of fitness, commitment and determination. High altitude along with extremely cold temperatures, as low as -30°C at times, makes it a challenging ascent even for experienced mountaineers. Climbers must spend long periods camping in challenging conditions and assist in transporting gear weighing 15-20 kg to the high camps, which can be physically and mentally tiring. Having said this, climbing Aconcagua is a perfect choice for those wishing to experience high-altitude expedition mountaineering and/or for those preparing to climb the high peaks in the Himalayas.

You can climb Aconcagua from November to February.