Aconcagua Prep School

Getting to the top of Aconcagua, at 22,838 ft (6,961 m) the highest mountain in the Americas, takes a lot of preparation and a lot of good decisions. Maybe you’re curious what it takes to climb above 22,000 ft (6,700 m). Maybe you’ve already committed and the amount to figure out feels like a lot. Prep School is where we walk you through it.

Over six live sessions we cover the groundwork, strategy, personal logistics, gear and mindset you need for Aconcagua. The tactics are practical, and some of them will surprise you. It works for climbers joining a guided team (like our Aconcagua 360) and for climbers going independently.

Your host

The series is hosted by AWE founder Sunny Stroeer, who has more than ten years of experience on Aconcagua. She has climbed it solo and unsupported, set speed records on it, and has led AWE’s Aconcagua teams every season since 2016. Prep School draws on all of that.

The six modules

Each session runs 90 minutes.

1. Acclimatization. Facts and myths, pre-acclimatization, what Diamox can and can’t do, and AMS, HACE and HAPE.
2. Managing extreme cold. Gear and techniques to stay comfortable camping and climbing above 6,000 m (19,700 ft).
3. Physical and mental preparation. How to get the most from your training and how to prepare your head.
4. Route and mountain logistics. Details for the Normal Route and the 360 Route, GPX files, time estimates between camps and more.
5. Food, gear and personal hygiene. What to bring, what to buy and what to rent, staying clean on the mountain, and a food strategy.
6. Mistakes and pitfalls. A close look at the most common reasons climbers turn around, or worse.

Cost and signing up

Prep School is free for registered AWExpeditions climbers. For everyone else the full series costs $195. You can also sign up for a single module.

• Sign up for the full series
• Sign up for a single module
• Join an AWE Aconcagua team

Missed a session?

If you can’t make a live session, you’ll get a link to the recording within 1 to 2 business days so you can catch up when it suits you. Recordings go only to registered participants.

Cancellation and refunds

• Cancel any time before the webinar starts for a full refund.
• No refunds after the webinar starts.

Send cancellation and refund requests in writing to info@awexpeditions.org before the scheduled start time. Questions about any of this? Email us at the same address.

Planning the money side too? Our Aconcagua budget planner is a free spreadsheet for estimating costs.