The Aconcagua
Scholarship
This scholarship is made possible through funding from AWExpeditions, LOWA Boots, and your individual contributions to the AWE Summit Scholarship Foundations fundraising drives such as the Women of Mountaineering Calendar. The scholarship includes the expedition fee for an all-women 21-day expedition to 22,838ft Aconcagua, the cost of the climbing permit for Aconcagua, an $1000 flight stipend for air travel to Mendoza, top-notch mountaineering footwear from LOWA Boots, a mountaineering backpack from Deuter, premium trekking poles from LEKI, and more. The scholarship’s total value is >$9,500.
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With a height of 22,838 ft above sea level, Aconcagua is the highest peak in Argentina and the tallest mountain in the western and southern hemisphere - which means it is also one of the Seven Summits. Even though it is not difficult from a technical perspective as there is no extremely steep or glaciated terrain, Aconcagua's ruggedness and fierce weather make it an endurance challenge of a special kind.
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With this scholarship, you can choose if you would like to attempt Aconcagua via the Normal Route in December 2024 or via the 360 Route in the weeks after Christmas 2024. The two routes are very similar in length, in technical difficulty, and they are both extremely physically demanding.
No matter which adventure you choose, climbing the mountain via the Normal or the 360 Route is a remote, rugged, and demanding high altitude endeavor that entails more than 14,000ft of net vertical gain. While ice axe and crampons are mandatory equipment for this high altitude adventure in all but the driest conditions, summiting Aconcagua via the Normal or 360 routes does not entail any technical climbing nor does it require ropes, making Aconcagua a terrific introduction to extreme high altitude.
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December 1-21, 2024 (Normal Route) or
December 27, 2024 - January 16, 2025 (360 Route) -
This is an extremely demanding trip that may be suitable for first-time mountaineers as long as they possess a penchant for cold weather and suffering.
Applicants must be in excellent physical condition and willing to dedicate 5-7 hours per week of dedicated training in the weeks leading up to the expedition. Previous hiking & backpacking experience is required.
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An experienced mountaineering guide through AWExpeditions and full logistics support on the mountain
Aconcagua climbing permit
All in-country transport
Meals on the mountain
Accommodation in Mendoza & on trail (double occupancy)
A $1,000 flight stipend to help offset airfare costs
Top-notch mountaineering footwear from LOWA Boots, a mountaineering backpack from Deuter, and premium trekking poles from LEKI
Access to substantive discounts for personal gear purchases
The Summit Scholarship award does not cover:
Travel costs to/from Mendoza in excess of the travel stipend
Travel insurance or mandatory rescue insurance
Extra hotel nights in town in case of early departure from the mountain
Beverages, and personal expenses such as battery charging fees, hot showers on the trail, etc.The expedition fee and Your own transport to/from Shasta
Personal mountaineering gear (sleeping bag / sleeping pad / crampons / axe - rentals are available)
Guide gratuity
Love the Summit Scholarship,
and want to help increase the number of available scholarships?
It’s easy, fun, and doesn’t break the bank.
If virtual challenges aren’t your jam (though how do you know unless you try?), a straight up donation of any size also helps. $10 and $20 increments welcome!