Situated in Argentina, only five miles from the Chilean border in the Andes, Aconcagua reaches a height of 22,837 feet. This makes it the highest elevation peak across the Western Hemisphere and outside the Himalayas. Aconcagua also offers the least technical and most straightforward ascent among its peers, with loose, rocky terrain predominating and no ropes required.
Despite these attributes, Aconcagua is also one of the most fatal mountains to climb, with around half of those who attempt the peak failing to summit. The biggest dangers are extreme cold, elevation, and lack of proper altitude acclimatization. There are two standard routes, the Polish Glacier Traverse and the Normal Route. The latter is much more popular and, when undertaken at summer’s peak, from December and January, may not even require crampons or an ice axe (except, arguably, on the final push to the summit).
Shorter and with more exhilarating views, the Polish Glacier Traverse requires crossing a large river, often with the assistance of a mule. It also includes a 2,600-foot glacier climb that can be treacherous, even with the proper equipment. Some climbers use the routes to complete a “360” circuit that does not repeat itself on the descent.