Product Details

• Directors: Tim Boelter
• Format: Color, NTSC
• Region: Region 1 (U.S. and Canada only. Read more about DVD formats.)
  
• Number of discs: 1
• Rated: NR (Not Rated)
• Studio: Media Ventures
• DVD Release Date: March 1, 1999
• Run Time: 70 minutes
• Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (15 customer reviews)
• ASIN: B0001GSPNM
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #197,605 in Movies & TV (See Top 100 in Movies & TV)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

21 of 21 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars THINKING ABOUT CLIMBING ACONCAGUA?...SEE THIS FILM FIRST..., June 28, 2005

By 

Lawyeraau (Balmoral Castle) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (COMMUNITY FORUM 04)    (TOP 100 REVIEWER)    (HALL OF FAME REVIEWER)   

This review is from: Aconcagua: The Roof of the Americas (DVD)

This is an excellent, informative documentary that chronicles one climbing party's trek to Aconcagua, the tallest mountain in the Americas, as well as its ascent. It visually documents the fourteen days which it took the climbing party to reach the summit.

The film details many points of interest. It discusses the three major approaches to Aconcagua. The most popular one is the Horcones Valley approach which seventy five percent of all climbers opt for and is considered the normal route. It is an eighteen mile trek to base camp at Plaza De Mulas.

The most difficult, the South Face approach, is also the shortest in length: a mere thirteen miles to base camp at Plaza Francia. Yet, its difficulty is such that only five percent of all climbers opt for this route.

The climbing party in the film, which consisted of two guides and six climbers, chose the third route, the Vacas and Relinchos Valley approach, which twenty percent of all climbers choose. This is the longest route, as it is a twenty four mile, picturesque trek to base camp at Plaza Argentina.

It was interesting to view the party's progress. Other than altitude sickness experienced by several members of the party, the ascent was fairly unremarkable. The weather stayed relatively good. It seemed like a very mellow climb. The party made it seem fairly effortless. I was surprised to see no use of ice axes or crampons, gear usually associated with high altitude climbing.

The film adds some interesting regional information and is, overall, very well done. It makes one all the more interested in possibly undertaking a climb up Aconcagua and is a good primer, if one is considering such an ambitious undertaking.

Yet, no one should be lulled into thinking that climbing Aconcagua is a piece of cake. It is still a high altitude climb. Should anyone need to be reminded of its dangers, bear in mind that the year this documentary was filmed, sixteen climbers perished on the mountain. Do not underestimate Aconcagua.

18 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars CLIMBING ACONCAGUA?...SEE THIS VIDEO FIRST!, October 1, 2000

By 

Lawyeraau (Balmoral Castle) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (COMMUNITY FORUM 04)    (TOP 100 REVIEWER)    (HALL OF FAME REVIEWER)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Aconcagua: The Roof of the Americas [VHS] (VHS Tape)

This is an excellent, informative documentary that chronicles one climbing party's trek to Aconcagua, the tallest mountain in the Americas, as well as its ascent. It visually documents the fourteen days which it took the climbing party to reach the summit.

The video details many points of interest. It discusses the three major approaches to Aconcagua. The most popular one is the Horcones Valley approach which seventy five percent of all climbers opt for and is considered the normal route. It is an eighteen mile trek to base camp at Plaza De Mulas.

The most difficult, the South Face approach, is also the shortest in length: a mere thirteen miles to base camp at Plaza Francia. Yet, its difficulty is such that only five percent of all climbers opt for this route.

The climbing party in the video, which consisted of two guides and six climbers, chose the third route, the Vacas and Relinchos Valley approach, which twenty percent of all climbers choose. This is the longest route, as it is a twenty four mile, picturesque trek to base camp at Plaza Argentina.

It was interesting to view the party's progress. Other than altitude sickness experienced by several members of the party, the ascent was fairly unremarkable. The weather stayed relatively good. It seemed like a very mellow climb. The party made it seem fairly effortless. I was surprised to see no use of ice axes or crampons, gear usually associated with high altitude climbing.

The video adds some interesting regional information and is, overall, very well done. It makes one all the more interested in possibly undertaking a climb up Aconcagua and is a good primer, if one is considering such an ambitious undertaking.

Yet, no one should be lulled into thinking Aconcagua is a piece of cake. It is still a high altitude climb. Should anyone need to be reminded of its dangers, bear in mind that the year this video was filmed, sixteen climbers perished on the mountain. Do not underestimate Aconcagua.

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Buy this video if you've thought about climbing Aconcagua, September 14, 2000

By 

"jaywiese" (Colorado Springs, CO) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Aconcagua: The Roof of the Americas [VHS] (VHS Tape)

Several fellow climbers who had viewed this video before making successful attempts on Aconcagua recommended it to me. They said it gives a very accurate portrayal of what it's like on this massive peak. I'm extremely glad I bought it. I feel much more prepared for the climb. Although Aconcagua isn't a technical climb, in that it doesn't require rock or ice climbing, it is extremely challenging based on its size alone.

The reviewer from Columbus, OH seems to think it's not a serious mountain, but I beg to differ. And to clarify another erroneous piece of information in that review -- this video doesn't follow the normal or "regular" route. It follows the more ambitious False Polish route.

This video is very polished, professional, well written, and entertaining. I whole-heartedly recommend it.