Aconcagua

ACONCAGUA, the Sentinal of Stone, a soaring mass of rock and ice, is the highest mountain in the western and southern hemispheres and the crown of the Andes. Located in Argentina close to the border with Chile, the peak can be seen from the road between Santiago and Mendoza. At just under 7000 metres (22,850 feet), the mountain attracts climbers from all over the world. Indeed, one of the great charms of the climb is to meet these other climbers who share the same goal and share stories of their adventure on the mountain.

Many have heard that Aconcagua is one of the highest non-technical routes in the world, and requires little special equipment other than warm clothing and boots to climb the Normal Route. This is true... if you can put one foot in front of the other you may reach the summit with only determination, never needing a belay, an ice screw, carabiners, rope, crampons or other gear and techniques normally associated with ascents of the world's highest peaks.

This is also the catch. To underestimate the dangers and rigours of Aconcagua and become one of the 60 percent who never reach the summit goal. Most become weak or sick due to altitude sickness and must rest or retreat to a lower elevation for relief. But for a few others it is the far more

If you are reasonably fit and exercise good judgment, you can very likely climb Aconcagua. The number one reason people fail to summit is a failure to acclimatize properly to altitude. Weather, of course, has the final say but with clear skies and a good plan the "summit of the Americas" awaits you!
Good luck and persevere.

For detailed trip planning information go to the Plan.

for the Route and the Map .

serious onset of pulmonary edema that requires immediate evacuation from the mountain.

The accessible upper slopes of Aconcagua expose climbers to wind and storms that move in quickly from the nearby Pacific Ocean. The northwest ridge of the Normal Route is particularly vulnerable to high winds, cold, electrical discharge and blinding whiteout conditions which can make retreat very difficult. Precautions must be taken to avoid hypothermia and frostbite.