Facts about Aconcagua
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Aconcagua's summit registers atmospheric pressure of approximately 340 millibars, roughly 34 percent of sea level pressure, which frequently causes severe altitude sickness in climbers.
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Aconcagua's normal route ascends primarily through the Vacas Valley and Relinchos Valley, following a relatively gentle grade that avoids technical rock climbing despite the mountain's extreme altitude.
- 08
Seasonal rockfall and avalanches on Aconcagua's slopes kill an average of one climber every two to three years, making these natural hazards the primary cause of summit fatalities.
- 07
Over 8,000 people attempt to climb Aconcagua annually, making it the most frequently summited mountain above 6,500 meters worldwide.
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Aconcagua's peak sits at approximately 6,961 meters elevation where atmospheric oxygen levels are only 34 percent of sea level concentration, requiring most climbers to acclimatize for extended periods.
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Extreme cold temperatures at Aconcagua's summit regularly drop below minus 30 degrees Celsius, creating life-threatening conditions even during the climbing season.
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In 1897, mountaineer Matthias Zurbriggen became the first person to reach Aconcagua's summit, establishing the mountain as a major climbing objective.
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The volcano sits on the border between Argentina and Chile, with Argentina claiming the higher western summit while Chile disputes the exact boundary location.
- 02
Climbers typically spend 15-20 days acclimatizing and ascending Aconcagua via the Normal Route, making it accessible to experienced hikers despite its extreme altitude.
- 01
At 6,961 meters, Aconcagua ranks as the highest peak in the Western Hemisphere and the second-highest mountain on Earth.