AWExpeditions x Aconcagua
Summit Scholarship
This scholarship is made possible through funding from AWExpeditions, LOWA Boots, and your individual contributions to the AWE Summit Scholarship Foundation’s Virtual Challenge Series. The scholarship includes the expedition fee for an all-female 21-day expedition to 22,838ft Aconcagua, the cost of the climbing permit for Aconcagua, a $500 flight stipend for travel to Mendoza, top-notch mountaineering footwear from LOWA Boots, premium trekking poles from LEKI, and more. The scholarship’s total value is >$8,000.
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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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Climbing the mountain via the 360 Route is a remote, rugged, and demanding high altitude endeavor that entails circumnavigating the entire mountain over the course of ~64 miles with >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 360 route does not entail any technical climbing nor does it require ropes, making Aconcagua a terrific introduction to extreme high altitude.
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January 7 - January 28, 2023
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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. Previous hiking & backpacking experience is required.
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An experience 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 $500 flight stipend to help offset airfare costs
Top-notch mountaineering footwear from LOWA Boots and premium trekking poles from LEKI
The Summit Scholarship award does not cover:
Airfare to/from Mendoza,
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 (backpack / sleeping bag / sleeping pad / crampons / axe - rentals are available)
Guide gratuity
Travel insurance
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!