The high and mighty Mount Aconcagua, in Argentina, impresses even experienced mountain travelers. However, you can truly appreciate its scale only from a height, standing on its top, and only the most courageous climbers can climb there. Despite the dangers associated with this, the flow of those wishing, however, does not subside from year to year, but only grows.
Interesting facts about mount Aconcagua
- From one of the local languages of the indigenous people of South In America, the name of the mountain is translated as «Stone Guard».
- Aconcagua peak was first conquered in 1897, when a Swiss climber climbed it alone.
- With height a little less than 7 kilometers (6960 meters) Aconcagua is the highest mountain in all of South America, as well as the Southern and Western Hemispheres of the Earth (interesting facts about South America).
- A river flows in Chile, also called Aconcagua. It originates in the Andes.
- Despite its height, professional climbers do not consider this peak difficult to conquer if climbing the northern slope.
- Mount Aconcagua is of volcanic origin, however, contrary to popular belief, it is not an extinct volcano (interesting facts about volcanoes).
- Atmospheric pressure at the top of Aconcagua is about 40% of normal. For an unprepared person, especially without an oxygen mask, this can be fatal.
- The record for high-speed ascent of Mount Aconcagua was set in 1991. The climber reached its summit in 5 hours and 45 minutes.
- In 2013, the youngest climber, only 9 years old, visited the summit of Aconcagua. And in 2016, a 12-year-old climber got there.
- The oldest climber who visited the top of Mount Aconcagua was 87 years old at the time of the ascent.