About Us

South American Climbing has been in operation since 2004. We have successfully performed over 30 expeditions on Aconcagua since our start date. Meet our guides...

South American climbing is owned by fellow guide Elizabeth Horan and is one of the few woman owned guide services operating on Aconcagua.

Mission
What makes South American Climbing different? Well for starters, we like to keep things simple.

All of our guides feel that the key to a successful climb on Aconcagua and other mountains in South America has a really straight-forward formula:

Safety
We make the best and safest possible decisions on the mountain.

Professional Guides
All of our guides are bilingual and have medical certification training. Furthermore, our guides have extensive knowledge of Aconcagua and other mountains in South America. All of our guides are allowed to operate on Aconcagua.

Small Groups
Group dynamics in the mountains play a crucial role in success. We feel that small groups tend to have the greatest success rate. As guides we feel, if the groups are small, individual needs will be met. Our maximum group size is 5 people and two guides. For technical routes our guide to client ratio is 1:2. We believe that small group sizes create an enjoyable experience on the mountain, have a lighter impact on the mountain, and provide each client with the individual attention and customer care that is needed to make it to the summit.

State of The Art Equipment
All of our tents are Mountain Hardware Trango Series four-season tents designed to withstand high Andean winds and severe storms. We carry SAT phones and radios for communications.

Diet
A healthy diet on the mountain high in carbohydrates but accompanied with side dishes which promote healthy digestion. No hydrated meals.

For us, everything else is secondary to this formula. To maximize your chance of a successful summit and a great experience in the mountains, we provide extensive pre-expedition training and advice. Feel free to send us an email to find out more: info@southamericanclimbing.com

We want our clients to have an experience and adventure that will last a lifetime. We feel that expeditions do not start on the mountain, but when you get the inspiration to climb. We firmly believe that getting to know the historical, ecological, and the cultural communities of the Andes are just as important as reaching the summit. On the way to the summit, we will discuss the ecological aspects of the Andes, botany, cultural significances, and geological formation. We will also have an “asado” (barbecue) in Uspallata with an Argentine family.

The Andes demand respect. We want our clients to enhance their own mountaineering skills. It is important to us that each client leaves an expedition with new skills they can take with them on future climbs. As an added benefit, improving mountaineering skills always contribute to a more in-depth respect for the mountains. We want our clients to reach their personal goals with a feeling of well-rounded satisfaction and completion.

Meet Our Guides...