Adventure Adviser

Tuesday, February 26, 2013

Q: Should I Climb Aconcagua or Kilimanjaro?

I want to climb one of the Seven Summits and have narrowed the list to Aconcagua or Kilimanjaro. I’m in excellent shape and an experienced hiker, but not a mountaineer. Which one would you recommend?

By: Question from: Jay, Fort Collins, Colorado
aconcagua climbing seven summits hiking mountains
A view of majestic Aconcagua. Photo: Jakobradlgruber/Shutterstock

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Jun 18, 2013

A:

Climbing the highest peak on one or more of the world’s seven continents is a worthy goal—and I understand why you, and so many other people, gravitate to 19,340-foot Mount Kilimanjaro in Tanzania and 22,840-foot Aconcagua in Argentina

The climbs on the main routes to the top of each are generally considered “long walks” rather than actual mountaineering expeditions. Yet they can still pose considerable challenges. Both hikes are exhausting and will take multiple days to complete. Plus, you’ll be battling against the unpredictability of the weather on them, the thin air of high elevation, and the potentially dangerous effects of altitude sickness. So, there’s no guarantee you’ll reach the top of either one.

But which one would I recommend? Not so fast. Let’s go through the pros and cons so you can make your own semi-informed decision.

Kilimanjaro
Aconcagua

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