So I want to climb Aconcagua...

[nismo4life]

Yes, I want to climb it. Supposedly it seems to be the highest non technical climb on the planet...23,000 feet and its non technical . Regardless, thats at the very least a few years away and I need a good basis of experience. Currently live in Central CT so other than Mt. Washington, is there anything I can use as a good starting point? I wouldn't mind a spring or winter climb and I'll buy whatever gear it is that I'm going to need...just don't know where to actually start.

[climbingcue]

I was also wanting to climb Aconcagua, but I don't think it is going to happen. I will just have to stick to climbing the 14ers in Colorado every summer when on vacation.

I would suggest you at least going to Colorado and hiking some of the 14ers so you can feel what 14,000 feet feels like. 22,840 ft is going to be way different then 6,000 ft of Mt Washington or 14,000 in Colorado.

Good luck,
Bill

[nismo4life]

I was also wanting to climb Aconcagua, but I don't think it is going to happen. I will just have to stick to climbing the 14ers in Colorado every summer when on vacation.

I would suggest you at least going to Colorado and hiking some of the 14ers so you can feel what 14,000 feet feels like. 22,840 ft is going to be way different then 6,000 ft of Mt Washington or 14,000 in Colorado.

Good luck,
Bill

Will def look into that, not a 3 hour drive but still cheaper than a $1,300 flight to Buenos Aires.

[UKGTI]

So I seriously considered it for the reasons you mentioned but the more I looked into it, the more it was one of those "only climbing it because it is tall things". I read that the approach was desolate and boring, and some described it as a couple of weeks on a dirt pile http://www.markhorrell.com/diaries/trueperuvian.html

If you are dead set on getting one of the seven summits, why not Kilimanjaro? Seems to be a much cooler climb.

I personally have moved away from summits and towards stuff like this:

http://www.duskytrack.co.nz/

http://himalayanexpeditions.com/wp/trips/snowman-trek/

[nismo4life]

So I seriously considered it for the reasons you mentioned but the more I looked into it, the more it was one of those "only climbing it because it is tall things". I read that the approach was desolate and boring, and some described it as a couple of weeks on a dirt pile http://www.markhorrell.com/diaries/trueperuvian.html

If you are dead set on getting one of the seven summits, why not Kilimanjaro? Seems to be a much cooler climb.

I personally have moved away from summits and towards stuff like this:

http://www.duskytrack.co.nz/

http://himalayanexpeditions.com/wp/trips/snowman-trek/

Part of the reason I want to climb it is to see my native countries nature and beauty. I also want to climb something high yes, but I also don't want a high risk of death associated with one of the 7 summits where if I slip or break an ankle because I suck, I die. If I'm risking death, it better be in a car @ a very high rate of speed in some form of motorsport event . But I'll read the links for sure though thanks!

[Black Jetta GT]

I was also wanting to climb Aconcagua, but I don't think it is going to happen. I will just have to stick to climbing the 14ers in Colorado every summer when on vacation.

I would suggest you at least going to Colorado and hiking some of the 14ers so you can feel what 14,000 feet feels like. 22,840 ft is going to be way different then 6,000 ft of Mt Washington or 14,000 in Colorado.

Good luck,
Bill

I diddnt really feel destroyed by the altitude until I went past 15k feet. Up until then, I was winded but motivated. Once I got to 20k, I was winded just by trying to move around, let alone go uphill. Lots of time to acclimate is crucial, over a week at least.

[CO Boy]

While it may not be technical that is all relative. Altitude is a killer even at 10,000 feet and above. I think it would be a great idea to start working on the East coast to hone your skills of carrying a pack and general mountain and base camp camping.

Colorado would be a great choice for starting with higher altitude. But I would also recommend taking some courses (mountaineering, backcountry survival and the likes). Just because the route might be non technical you could find yourself in a sticky situation. Possibly injured, disoriented, lost and have to take a more technical route, etc.

Have fun!

[vwtuner4ever]

Honnestly go climb kilimankaro first. If you make it, then go Aconcagua. I found it so difficult on Kilimanjaro. I wanted to do Aconcagua, but after Kili, I understood that I didn't want to go any higher. people can die up there. Don't assume it's easy and don't imagine you can climb it because it's not technical. It's still dangerous. I know a couple people (a guy competes in IronMan) and they both failed big time. If I was you I'd try to conquer most high peaks in the states first. Then would move up to Kili, and if you like it and succeed, I'd try Aconcagua. But that's just me.

[kryptonik]

Aconcagua is definitely technical. Not as technical as most anything near it's altitude, but, if you think it's just a hike to the top, you're on a death mission.

Mt Washington is a literal walk in the park, compared to what you'll deal with at Aconcagua.

Provided you have perfect conditions, and very low snow pack, it may be quite a bit easier, but with mountaineering at that altitude, that can change VERY quickly. Go bag of a ton of 14ers, get yourself acclimated to climbing on rope, and get as much mountaineering knowledge and training as possible.

[Justin]

I have done Humphrey's Summit in Arizona, it's 12,xxx and even though I lived only about 5,000 from the summit, it sure wasn't an easy hike...Even in great condition and training at an ice rink at 8,000ft it was still hard to breathe at the top. Of course we speed walked it, but it is a walk to the top nothing difficult as long as it isn't snowing. It was fun doing avalanche stuff in the snow though.

[Triumph]

i heard everest is easy, try that first.