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Watch the Aconcagua Miniseries

Aconcagua: The Stone Sentinel

At 22,841 feet, Aconcagua is the highest peak outside the Himalaya. But the mountain’s real power isn’t just its altitude, but also what happens to people when they take it on. This two-part series follows a guided expedition from the steak dinners of Mendoza to the summit of the Americas, capturing the honest conversations, the hard days, the challenges of one of the Seven Summits, and the moments that stay with you long after you come home.

Watch the Docuseries

Episode 1

Mendoza to Camp 1

Episode 1 follows the team from their arrival in Mendoza, Argentina through the helicopter flight into base camp at 13,800 feet, and up the 360 Route to Camp 1, where the altitude starts to really take its toll and the real climbing begins.

 

Episode 2

The Summit

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The World’s Great Peaks.



Your Next Adventure.
Peaks like Aconcagua might spark your inspiration, but the climbs along the way are what make it possible. From Ecuador to Peru, Kilimanjaro to Peak Lenin and onto the Himalaya, our Rapid Ascent™ expeditions turn ambition into experience.

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    Intermediate Next Available
    Dec 26, 2026 – Jan 8, 2027     14 Days Argentina
    32.653179° S, 70.010868° W Learn More
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  • Ecuador Climbing School

    Introductory Next Available
    May 30, 2026 – June 7, 2026     9 Days w/ Optional 7 Day Extension Ecuador
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    Beginner mountaineering students on an intro to high-altitude mountaineering course in Ecuador, taught by Alpenglow Expeditions' professional mountain guides, standing on a volcano at sunrise.

  • Peru Climbing School

    Introductory Next Available
    June 13, 2026 – June 27, 2026     15 Days Peru
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    Two mountaineering raising their arms in triumph while standing on a glacier at sunrise in Peru.

  • Cotopaxi Expedition

    Intermediate Next Available
    June 16, 2026 – June 20, 2026     5 Days Ecuador
    0.180653° S, 78.467834° W Learn More
    Cotopaxi at sunset during a guided expedition with Alpenglow Expeditions.

  • Cho Oyu Expedition

    Advanced Next Available
    September 6 – October 4, 2026     29 Days Tibet
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    Yaks walking on a road with Cho Oyu in the background during a guided expedition with Alpenglow Expeditions.

  • Gasherbrum II Expedition

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  • Alpamayo & Quitaraju

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  • Ama Dablam Expedition

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    Adrian Ballinger coiling a rope at a high camp on Ama Dablam

  • Makalu Expedition

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Testimonials

  • A breathtaking and life-changing adventure.

    The beauty of the mountains was only outmatched by the compassion of the fellow climbers and the wisdom and support of Chad, Gaspar, and the other guides. Could not have done it without them. Aconcagua was a journey I will never forget.

    Kimberly M.

  • Simply, Christian & Nacho were incredible.

    All around, as humans and as guides. I loved their knowledge, communication, organization, technical skills and social skills, and while they were individually superb, their dynamic together was unmatched. So much fun, it would be an honor to get to climb with them again.

    Sarah B.
    A group of climbers stands in front of 3 snowy peaks in Peru.

  • Nico was hands down the best guide ever. He ensured our safety while creating a fun learning environment.

    He took time to make sure the whole team was having a good time. Not only did he want to share his love for Ecuador and the mountains, but learn about our personal lives and drive for the mountains. I have created some life long friends through the school and Nico is included.

    Douglas B.
    Three skiers descend to the left of a large, round crevasse with a blue crack at the bottom in misty conditions during an international backcountry ski expedition with Alpenglow Expeditions..

  • It was my first trip with Alpenglow and certainly won’t be my last

    “The Kilimanjaro trip with safari extension was amazing and exceeded my expectations. Having never hiked above 10k feet before, I was anxious about what to expect. But from the moment our guide, Will Sperry, picked us up from the airport, it was clear that extreme care had been taken by Alpenglow to ensure it was going to be a fantastic experience—and it was. With the knowledge and support of Will and team of African guides and staff, I was able to tackle the physical and mental challenge of successfully summiting the highest mountain in Africa. It was my first trip with Alpenglow and certainly won’t be my last. Bucket list checked!”

    Andrea Dennis

  • The feeling of standing on the summit of Everest/Chomolungma is almost indescribable

    “The feeling of standing on the summit of Everest/Chomolungma is almost indescribable. What I can say is that the entire experience of climbing the mountain with Alpenglow Expeditions was a true pleasure. I felt taken care of and safe.  There’s no better feeling than climbing a mountain, especially the world’s highest, and feeling safe doing it.”

    Rob Lea
Stories

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All Stories

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  • Why The Summit Isn’t The Whole Story

    What makes the summit just a part of the whole story? Take a trip to Aconcagua, the tallest peak in the Americas, and explore everything that makes a climb like this the story of a lifetime.
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  • A view of the summit of Aconcagua, the tallest peak in South America.

    A Brief History of Aconcagua

    Aconcagua, standing at 22,831’/6,959m, is the highest peak in the Americas and one of the Seven Summits. Its history is rich and multifaceted, beginning with the indigenous cultures that inhabited the region long before modern mountaineers arrived. Today, it’s a popular peak forintermediate climbers to break into 7,000m, and an excellent step on the way to preparing for Mt. Everest.
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    While ‘walking’ may sound trivial, a number of big mountains involve a lot of walking, albeit in extreme places. To talk about the journey, we connected with IFMGA-certified Alpenglow guide Esteban ‘Topo’ Mena about graduating from trekking to climbing. For beginners, he had this advice to offer: “At first, it’s important to give yourself the time to walk in the mountains and appreciate the land and the opportunity to just be there.”
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  • How to Climb Mt. Everest

    Climbing Everest doesn’t start in the Himalaya. It starts with basic skills, local mountains, and building experience one step at a time. If you’re asking how to climb Everest the right way — safely, successfully, and confidently — this is the path we recommend.
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  • The North Side of Mount Everest

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    For Tico, this opportunity is more than just another expedition; it’s a rendezvous with the world’s highest peak. Mincing no words, he muses: “Everest is Everest.” It hardly needs further explanation. Despite not aiming for the summit, he recognizes the significance of the North Col.
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  • Adrian Ballinger Featured on The Rich Roll Podcast

    In the world of high-altitude mountaineering, few names carry as much weight as Adrian Ballinger. As the founder of Alpenglow Expeditions and a professional mountaineer with over two decades of experience, Adrian has carved out a niche at the intersection of extreme adventure, meticulous preparation, and socio-environmental ethics. Recently, he had the opportunity to share his journey and insights with a broader audience by appearing on The Rich Roll Podcast.
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  • Adrian Ballinger Argues for Sweeping Change on Everest: Nepal-Side Summits Are Becoming ‘Unethical’

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