The Cerro Aconcagua is a mountain located in the west of Mendoza, in the Cordillera de Los Andes. It is part of the Front Range, parallel to the Main Range. It has a total height of 6,962 meters, thus becoming as the highest peak of the Western Hemisphere as part of the Circuit of the Seven Summits.
It is located in the Aconcagua Provincial Park, a Natural Protected Area established in 1983 to preserve the rich heritage it houses, such as addition and Aconcagua, many glaciers and important archaeological sites. It is one of the ten Reservations that are part of the Protected Natural Areas of the province, and one of the three protected areas High Mountain along with Tupungato volcano and the Laguna del Diamante.
Aconcagua is annually promoted by climbers from all over the world, with around 7000 visitors per season. The optimal time to climb is between December and March in the cálidas.Debido to the difficulty of ascension, in recent years have taken more stringent measures to ensure the security stations. Contracts, permits and sponsors are needed to climb, along with all the right equipment and a fully trained guide.
The geological setting of the Aconcagua is relatively recent, and dates from about 200 to 280 million years ago. The origin of its name is not defined. Still debated whether it comes from araucano or mapudungun Aconca-Hue or the Quechua Ackon Cahuak. The latter Quechua name means “Stone Sentinel”, which is quite significant.
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