Customer Reviews

Aconcagua: The Roof of the Americas [VHS]

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

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.

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.

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.

As one who has recently climbed Aconcagua by the Vacas Valley route, I was extremely interested to view Tim Boelter's new "how-to" primer on climbing the highest peak in the Western Hemisphere. I found the footage to be an accurate, compelling and instructive account of just what climbers experience during their attempt to summit. I highly recommend this for anyone (and their families) who is contemplating climbing Aconcagua.

I received this video as a gift before I left for my climb of the mountain. You can read books, surf the Web, and look at maps but there's something about seeing one team's experience first hand that really gives you a leg up on what to expect. It's great to see the trip unfold from the moment they land and to hear their live, first-hand accounts of how they feel and what they think. I was surprised to read that a previous reviewer thought the video was a bit amateurish. The crew managed to film during horrible weather, winds, and sickness all the way to the summit -- an impressive feat. The quality of the video was very professional and the story was extremely well told. I recommend this video to anyone interested in Aconcagua or to anyone interested in a well-told adventure story.

I plan to climb Aconcagua this year, and as part of my preparation I've read every book and watched every video about this mountain that I can get my hands on. Without a doubt this video has been my very best resource. I've easily watched it a dozen times. All other resources pale in comparison to the amount of detailed information this video provides. Books can't paint a picture like moving images and audio can -- and no other Aconcagua video does the job like this one.

The production quality is as professional as any video I've seen. The cameraman did a wonderful job of getting footage during snowstorms and high winds. And he documented each grueling step to the summit, giving the audience a great first-hand experience.

You don't have to be a climber to appreciate this documentary. The compelling story of this team and all their successes and failures is riveting and inspiring. Even if you've never stepped foot on a mountain, you'll be glued to the screen pulling for their success. It's a great story for both the mountaineer and armchair mountaineer alike.

But having said all that, the most important thing this video has done is to inspire me. I've really stepped up my training regiment after seeing just how hard this climb is. It may not be a technical climb, but it certainly requires serious mental and physical commitment. Whenever I need a boost to get my butt out running, I just watch this video and am always newly inspired and motivated.

I have recommended this video to several people and will continue to do so -- it's a great resource and a well-told inspirational story. Buy it.

This is a very detailed overview of what is entailed in climbing to the highest mountain in South America. The film crew follows the team of climbers to the top of a non-technical route to the summit and shows what physical strengths are needed to make it to the top. As altitude saps the strength from some a few must descend. The movie does not try to glorify the climb as in Everest but simply follows the day to day life of the climbers. From packing their bags at base camp to dealing with the high winds on the summit ridge. If you plan to climb this mountain you must see this movie. If you are looking for a movie which has aspects of technical mountaineering and mountaineering skills this is not the movie for you.

If you want to catch a glimpse of how difficult it is to climb Aconcagua, then this it for you. A gritty tale. It might interest anyone investigating the Seven Summits.

I sense a bit of a conspiracy by the reviewers who are saying some negative things about this film. Looks like they are promoting another endeavor they are involved in, because this film covers everything involved in making this climb. There is nothing third rate about it. There are detailed descriptions of the routes, aerial views of the mountain, details of what to pack, and what to expect both mentally and physically. The film follows a diverse group of climbers all the way to the summit, and it's very interesting to see how the mountain impacts each one of them.

It also has inspirational storylines along with its informative nature, making it an interesting video for climbers and nonclimbers.

In my opinion this film is the most current, realistic, and accurate source of information available on Aconcagua.

This was an excellent video. It was very factual and realistic. Gave a good account of the work and determination that is needed on this mountain. Also shows the realities of high altitude lack of oxygen. This mountain is not to be taken lightly. Great video!

Mark