All You Need to Know About Aconcagua 6962m

Why Aconcagua?

Aconcagua stands at an impressive 6962 meters above sea level and has the triple title of being the highest mountain in South America, the highest mountain in the Americas and the highest mountain in the southern hemisphere. It is also the highest mountain outside of the Himalayan mountain range.

Where is it?

The mountain sits deep inside the Andes range and straddles the border between Argentina and Chile. Although Santiago, the capital of Chile, is the closest major city to the mountain, Aconcagua is fully inside Argentina.

Is it Technical?

Aconcagua is the highest non-technical summit in the world. That means it does not require the use of technical gear with the exception of small sections during the summit push. No prior technical skills are necessary to join this expedition but we do believe that you should have some trekking or mountaineering experience prior to joining this trip. You definitely need to be physically fit and capable of operating for long periods of time on challenging terrain for weeks at a time.

What’s the Challenge?

Although altitude related illness is a major concern on summits of this altitude, with a good acclimatization schedule, it should not be an issue. We find that, as with most high altitude expeditions, it is dehydration that is the number one issue faced by climbers. That’s why the importance of drinking water cannot be overstated. The second major considering is the mental fatigue of being engaged in a long expedition. Climbers will pass through low moments during the course of the week and will learn to cope as an integral part of this journey.

Finally, one of the biggest challenges faced by climbers is a fierce subzero wind known as Viente Blanco. It can occur rather suddenly and it can potentially cause an expedition to abort altogether.

Meet Team Leader Avo

Avedis here! But you can call me Avo. I’m an LHO Team Leader with a keen interest in high altitude summits including Aconcagua. You’ll find that I’m frequently leading our Aconcagua expeditions in addition to our high-altitude experiences elsewhere in the Andes, the Alps and the Himalayas.

With numerous summits of Aconcagua to my record, including via the Vacas Valley route, I bring experience, knowledge and high-altitude enthusiasm to all our teams attempting this incredible summit and this great achievement.

Climbing Aconcagua is a long physical, mental and spiritual journey. This 23-day expedition requires preparation, dedication and an open mind.

If Aconcagua is a mountain you’re considering, and you’d like to chat about it, please don’t hesitate to reach out to us. I’m always happy to join a Q&A on Zoom. Reach out on info@lifehappensoutdoors.com.