"Intending to challenge ourselves, we took the most direct and steepest route, Umbwe, with minimal porters (1 per two people), set up and dismantled camp ourselves, cooked our own meals and climbed within the mountain's winter season (Nov & Dec). We had roughly only 5 other teams on the mountain due to Covid travel complications, and had day 1, 2, summit day, and final decent day all to ourselves. We had food for 8 days but in the end only spent 6 days on the mountain, summiting on day 5. Our plan to acclimatize properly by spending more time at the highest camp (Barafu) was foiled as we learnt that one may only spend a single night at this camp unless being rescued. We therefor attempted the summit not sufficiently acclimatizes and exhausted from the heavy packs we were carrying ourselves. (Exhaustion results in oxygen depleted blood). We all incurred severe altitude sickness symptoms en-route, (vomiting, throbbing pain resistant headaches, loss of appetite, weakness, sleepiness), I hyperventilated on the summit and needed to descend rapidly, Wade developed HACE (symptom was onset of significant drunkenness) and had to be assisted down the mountain. We were happy to have ach..." — CraigBurnsStellenbosch • Dec 11, 2021

"International team of seven climbers (US, Norway, Singapore, France, Netherlands) with three Aconcagua Mountain Guide experts using the Polish 360 route variation. Approached from Vacas Valley, Relinchos Valley, up to Colera Camp and then down to Plaza de Mulas, and out Horcones Valley. Climbed between Dec. 29, 2019 to Jan 17, 2020. Weather was the biggest factor. Got held up 7 days at Plaza Argentina, 2 days at high Camp One, 3 days at high Camp Two. But after all the waiting, our team was very acclimatized and six out of seven made the summit. Summit push began at 5:15 am from Colera Camp, topped out at 2:45 pm, return to Camp at 7:15 pm. Extremely difficult climb from an endurance stand point. 14 hour days are never fun. The most taxing part of the whole expedition was the 27 kilometer hike out from Plaza de Mulas to Horcones for extraction. I am still glad its all over. Now on to the next!" — oregon-mt-goat • Jan 14, 2020

"Did this as a climb with Aconcagua Mountain Guides. Started at Plaza Argentina and ended at Plaza de Mulas. Summit day was incredible. No wind at all on top. Took an hour nap. After spending 2.5 hours at the summit we went down." — Irrationalist • Dec 30, 2019

"6-day Machame route. Rained all of day 1 to Machame Camp, but dry each day after. Couple of windy days in the middle, but clear skies and low winds on summit day. Just an awesome 6 days, really loved being on the mountain." — jodola • Sep 14, 2019

"Summited on Sat July 21 at 7 in the morning. Clear blue sky, few clouds. 8 day tour with Elbrus tours. Stayed in the hut on 3800 meters. Acclimatisation tour up to 4700m. Summit day was unforgettable. " — niklasbennwik • Jul 20, 2018