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
• Studio: Media Ventures
• DVD Release Date: March 1, 1999
• Run Time: 70 minutes
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• ASIN: B0001GSPNM
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #75,231 in Movies & TV (See Bestsellers in Movies & TV)

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Editorial Reviews

Product Description

Each year over 3,000 climbers pit themselves against Aconcagua. And this number is growing.

Located in Argentina, Aconcagua stands at 22,841 feet. Not only is it the highest point in the Americas, it's the highest mountain outside of Asia. Bearing such stature, Aconcagua draws climbers from around the world. With technical routes that challenge even the hardiest of climbers, surprisingly this hulking giant permits an accessible path to its lofty summit. However, accessibility cannot be underestimated. With high altitude, bitter cold and violent storms -- conditions which are always prevalent here -- there can be consequences.

This entertaining and informative video follows two guides from the International Mountain Climbing School as they lead a group of six climbers for the summit of Aconcagua. This comprehensive look at climbing Aconcagua details every aspect of this expedition, from their arrival in South America to the moment they step foot of the roof of the Americas. Experience first hand the difficulties associated with high altitude mountaineering and its effects on this team as well as others.

If you're planning a trip to Aconcagua, this video is a great primer.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

20 of 20 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 (TOP 10 REVIEWER)    (COMMUNITY FORUM 04)

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.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars If you are going to climb this mountian this is a must see., April 5, 2007

By	Jesse Cunningham "Puppy Puncher" (Salinas CA, USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

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.