The Best and only Months for Climbing Aconcagua are late November, December, January and February each year. The climbing season on Aconcagua starts in mid November and continues until the beginning of March each year.
The season on Aconcagua gets shorter and shorter each year and the middle of February is normally the last week to enter Aconcagua National Park. Check out our upcoming trips.
When is the Best Time to Climb Aconcagua
For those looking to climb Aconcagua, timing is everything. As the highest peak in the Western Hemisphere, Aconcagua presents unique challenges that are heavily influenced by seasonal weather and high winds. Check out some reviews from our trips.
We guide climbers to the summit only under the safest and most favorable weather conditions possible. Understanding the best times to undertake this epic journey can make all the difference in your experience, safety and success.
In reality there is no set weather window. You could aim to summit on the 1st of February every year and the weather will be different every year. You might find better weather in February than December or January. Honestly you roll the dice.
The key is to have more available days for your summit attempt. Having the correct acclimatization along with spare summit days is really important. Check our out TOP TIPS for climbing Aconcagua.
Weather Conditions from Base Camp to Summit
The journey from Aconcagua Base Camp to the summit of Aconcagua exposes climbers to a wide range of weather conditions. Even tough Plaza de Argentina is a little warmer than plaza de Mulas Base Camp. Both Base Camps can be quite mild with temperatures comfortable enough for lightweight hiking gear during the day.
However, as you ascend, temperatures can plummet, and the climate becomes more severe. Check out Mountain Forecast as start looking at the temperatures and wind high on Aconcagua.
Think Cold Weather
The summit itself can be brutally cold with temperatures dropping as low as -30°C (-22°F). Especially early on the traverse to the cave on the way to the summit. Aconcagua is a high desert so when the sun goes down the temperatures drop quickly.
It can be extremely cold in the morning or late at night above 5,500m/ 18,044 feet. Wind speeds can also accelerate significantly, occasionally reaching over 120 km/h (75 mph), which adds an extra layer of challenge to the climb.
When winds rise above 60km/h (37 mph), we start to consider it unsafe to climb Aconcagua. Beyond 100 km/h, you start to get into the territory of hurricane-force winds, which we would strongly advise all climbers to avoid. Check out mountains you should climb before Aconcagua.
Sections of the summit climb can be risky especially in icy conditions. We believe climbers must be prepared for extreme cold and potentially fierce winds as they approach the summit. Check out our packing video.
Climbing December and January
You will often hear people say that mid-December through mid-January is the best weather window to climb Aconcagua, but in reality, this is not necessarily the case. The main reason these dates are so popular is not because conditions are always better, but because the mountain becomes extremely crowded during this period — and overcrowding can increase risk.
Many climbers arrive right after Christmas in order to make the most of annual leave from work, which leads to busy camps, congestion on summit day, and a more stressful overall experience. That said, December and January can still be excellent months for climbing Aconcagua. However, we strongly recommend choosing dates when there are fewer people on the mountain.
Having climbed Aconcagua more than 11 times, I personally prefer February, when conditions can still be very good but the crowds are often significantly reduced.
Climbing Aconcagua in February
There have been years when reaching the summit in December or January has simply not been possible on certain expeditions, despite those months being considered the “prime” season. In fact, I believe that seven of my Aconcagua summits have been in February. I have stood on the summit in February wearing nothing more than liner gloves and a fleece layer — a clear reminder that conditions can still be excellent later in the season.
This year, one of our teams successfully reached the summit on February 28th. There was virtually no wind, and the temperature on the summit was 25°F (-4°C), proving once again that February can offer outstanding climbing conditions with far fewer crowds.
Prepare for the Worst
While the summer months offer the best opportunity for milder weather conditions, they can also bring days of significant snowfall, whiteouts, and prolonged high winds. These conditions can halt your progress and, in some cases, require you to turn back if the weather becomes too dangerous.
We emphasize the importance of flexibility in our climbing schedule to accommodate delays due to adverse weather, by having multiple buffer days to allow us to wait for the best weather window.
Access to Water on Aconcagua
There can be challenges gaining access to water high on Aconcagua. The Vacas Valley Traverse Route has better access to water than the normal route later in the season and all the way into February.
Snow disappears off Aconcagua very quickly even after a big snow fall. The wind and sun do not help. Ice is melting very quickly on Aconcagua. The difference in the past 15 years of going to this mountain is immense.
Sometimes we have to carry extra water from Camp 2 to Camp 3 before the team can move into a position to make the summit attempt. It is normal to see big snow falls disappear within a matter of weeks on the mountain. By the time we come to February and early March the mountain can be complete bare of snow.
When are There less people on Aconcagua
Choosing the right month for your Aconcagua expedition needs some consideration. You also need to consider the number of people on the mountain and the permit cost. The largest number of mountain climbers will be on the mountain in December and January.
Most of those climbers will join via the normal route via Plaza de Mulas Base Camp. If you don’t want to climb surrounded by crowds of climbers, try to avoid arriving mid December to mid January. We recommend the Vacas Valley traverse to avoid crowds.
Permits and the Right Month
Firstly, high season permits are more expense during Aconcagua Expedition and something to consider. The cost of permits has risen significantly over the years. We used to pay USD $250 per person the main season.
Now, at the same time the permit can be USD $980 depending on the exchange rate at the time you go. Off season discounts have disappeared. Permits will be around USD $1,200 next season.
In 2020 the off season permit cost our clients USD $630 per person with the exchange rate. The challenge with permitting is that there maybe be no more high season and no low season. Be prepared for permitting, costs so change at any time.
We manage all logistics around permits and get them secured before the climb. You need to secure helicopter evacuation cover and it is required to enter Aconcagua National Park.
You just need to show up in excellent mountain shape, trained for steep terrain and load carrying. You also need to be mentally prepared for harsh weather conditions and challenging living quarters above Base Camp. Having previous high altitude experience on a wide range of trips is extremely useful to draw front when climbing Aconcagua.
Contact Experts
Before deciding the month you want to go to Aconcagua contact us and we can chat with you. We only operate high-quality Aconcagua expeditions, working with an exceptional local team to deliver the highest standards of safety, support, and success on the mountain.
If climbing Aconcagua is a goal of yours, we would be honored to help you attempt the summit of the highest peak in South America. Get in touch with us today to start planning your expedition.