Connect
Footsteps on the Mountain travel diaries
The True Peruvian Route
An ascent of Aconcagua, South America's highest mountain. December 2010/January 2011.
By Mark Horrell
Mountaineering is an activity where true elation and deep disappointment thrive in equal measure. Nothing exemplifies this more than the story of my two attempts on Aconcagua, the highest mountain in the world outside Asia, and one of the Seven Summits. This is the story of the second happier half.
In 2005 I set off up the Normal Route on Aconcagua's western side, possibly one of the most boring routes on a big mountain anywhere in the world. I spent several weeks staring up a huge featureless scree slope, before giving up much too easily on a cold summit day at the instigation of an over-cautious guide who didn't seem particularly bothered about reaching the summit.
In 2010 I tried the other side of the mountain, a much more interesting climb, and was privileged to be guided by a man who had climbed the mountain more times than any other. It soon became clear that you don't get a record like that unless you really care about getting to the top every time you set foot on the mountain.
It was an altogether different experience, and one with many happy memories.
See praise from readers >>
Web version
Praise from readers
"I think this is the best one of the whole series (I have bought them all)."
"An awesome window into more commercial mountaineering. The author is entertaining and likeable and did I mention a host of phenomenal photography both in the book and on Mark's website."
"Gives a good insight into climbing and trekking in the area."
