Aconcagua, Mountain in Las Heras Department, Mendoza Province, Argentina.
Aconcagua rises to 22,837 feet (6,962 meters) above sea level, making it the highest mountain in South America and the tallest peak in both the Southern and Western Hemispheres.
The first documented ascent of Aconcagua occurred in 1897 when Swiss mountaineer Matthias Zurbriggen reached the summit, although indigenous peoples had long regarded the mountain as a sacred landmark.
The mountain's name derives from the Quechua words meaning stone sentinel, reflecting its cultural importance to indigenous communities who viewed it as a spiritual site for centuries.
Climbing season runs from November 15 to March 15 during the Southern Hemisphere summer, and climbers must obtain permits and allow 15 to 20 days for proper acclimatization to the extreme altitude.
Aconcagua is composed primarily of sedimentary rock layers including sandstone and shale, and it is recognized as one of the Seven Summits representing the highest point on each continent.
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