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Elevation: 1,245 ft
GPS: -12.1253, -55.9863
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Description Suggest change

This page is home to all of the South American countries. If you are looking for Central American countries such as Panama, or Carribean Islands such as Aruba or Bonaire, these are located under the North America Page.

South America is a vast continent with astonishingly varied climates & terrain. This land is home to the largest river & jungle in the world, but also home to some of the most extreme alpine conditions.

South America has long been a destination for adventure-seeking alpinists. The dramatically steep peaks of the Andes are reknowned for their beauty & feared for their unstable cornices & snow flutings. The granite spires & rime coated summits of Patagonia & Torres del Paine are the source of countless legends. Those in search of extreme altitude will enjoy the relatively simple volcanos of Ecaudor or the nearly 7000 meter-high Aconcagua in Argentina.

Lowland rock climbers have also recently begun to explore South America's vast potential. Argentina & Brazil are known to have excellent sport climbing on marble & limestone cliffs. The continent is also littered with high quality granite, and numerous Yosemite-esque valleys such as Valle Cochamó provide limitless possibilities.

Getting There Suggest change

While it is technically possible to drive, bike, or walk, most folks will want to fly to South America. Once in country, most travel is by public transport.

Travel Information

Suggest change
  • A valid US passport is required for all trips to South America. Details on how to obtain a passport can be found here.
  • Visa requirements vary from country to country. No visa is required for Argentina, Ecuador, French Guiana or Peru for stays up to 90 days, or for Columbia for stays up to 60 days. Chile, Guyana, & Venezuala require Visas that are issued at the airport upon arrival. Bolivia, Brazil, Suriname & Paraguay require a Visa that must be obtained in advance. To ensure your trip goes smoothly, visit the US State Department's Country Specific Page at the early planning stage, for precise info regarding visas, vaccinations, or any other requirements. Not all South American countries are considered "safe" by the standards of the typical tourist. The State Department provides detailed information & travel advisaries on the Country Specific Page. Gather as much data as possible, and use your own judgement.
  • Immunizations are a key consideration for any travel to South America. Talk to your doctor about specific immunizations required for your destination, or better yet, visit a Travel Clinic that specializes in pre-travel vaccinations & consultation. Most such clinics do not require medical insurance, and offer reasonably priced walk-in services that even dirt-bag climbers can afford. This website can help locate a Travel Clinic near you. When seeking medical advice, its always a good idea to do some research yourself before you trust everything the doctor tells you on his/her way to the golf course. The Center for Disease Control has a great website to help you decide which vaccinations are a good idea. Yellow Fever, Typhoid Fever, Hepatitis, & Malaria may be of concern depending on your destination in South America.
  • Some trips require special permits, particularly mountaineering expeditions in the Andes. These requirements are complicated & different for every country.
  • Refer to each countries page for details on the local currency. Current exchange rates can be found here.

3,225 Total Climbs

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Classic Climbing Routes at South America

Mountain Project's determination of the classic, most popular, highest rated climbing routes in this area.
Mod. Snow
 43
Regular Route
Trad, Snow, Alpine
AI2-3 Steep Snow
 18
Alpamayo French Direct
Trad, Ice, Snow, Alpine 8 pitches
5.8- 5b 16 VI- 14 VS 4c
 32
LP (details)
Trad 4 pitches
5.8 5b 16 VI- 15 HVS 4c
 83
Diedro de Jim (5)
Trad, Alpine 2 pitches
Argentina > … > Frey > Aguja Frey
5.9 5c 17 VI 17 HVS 5a
 82
Sifuentes Weber
Trad, Alpine 4 pitches
Argentina > … > Frey > Aguja Frey
5.9 5c 17 VI 17 HVS 5a
 48
Del Diedro
Trad
Argentina > … > Frey > Aguja M2
5.10a 6a 18 VI+ 18 E1 5a
 39
Ruta Normal
Trad 5 pitches
5.10a/b 6a+ 19 VI+ 19 E2 5b
 49
Via dos Italianos
Sport 9 pitches
5.10 6b 20 VII- 19 E2 5b
 34
Imagínate
Trad 5 pitches
5.10c 6b 20 VII 20 E2 5b
 31
Objetivo Luna
Trad, Alpine 8 pitches
5.10c 6b 20 VII 20 E2 5b
 38
Lost Fingers
Trad, Alpine 3 pitches
Argentina > … > Frey > Aguja Frey
5.10+ 6b+ 21 VII+ 20 E3 5b
 35
E.Z. Does It
Trad 9 pitches
5.11a 6c 22 VII+ 22 E3 5c
 29
Bienvenidos a mi Insomnio
Trad 20 pitches
5.11a 6c 22 VII+ 22 E3 5c
 27
No Hay Hoyes
Trad 6 pitches
5.11c 6c+ 24 VIII- 24 E4 6a
 45
Al Centro y Adentro
Trad 12 pitches
Route Name Location Star Rating Difficulty Date
Regular Route Ecuador > Cotopaxi
 43
Mod. Snow Trad, Snow, Alpine
Alpamayo French Direct Peru > Cordillera Blanca > Santa Cruz Valley
 18
AI2-3 Steep Snow Trad, Ice, Snow, Alpine 8 pitches
LP (details) Colombia > Suesca > 24. LP
 32
5.8- 5b 16 VI- 14 VS 4c Trad 4 pitches
Diedro de Jim (5) Argentina > … > Frey > Aguja Frey
 83
5.8 5b 16 VI- 15 HVS 4c Trad, Alpine 2 pitches
Sifuentes Weber Argentina > … > Frey > Aguja Frey
 82
5.9 5c 17 VI 17 HVS 5a Trad, Alpine 4 pitches
Del Diedro Argentina > … > Frey > Aguja M2
 48
5.9 5c 17 VI 17 HVS 5a Trad
Ruta Normal Argentina > … > Frey > Torre Principal
 39
5.10a 6a 18 VI+ 18 E1 5a Trad 5 pitches
Via dos Italianos Brazil > … > Urca (Pao de Ac… > Pao de Acucar (Sugarl…
 49
5.10a/b 6a+ 19 VI+ 19 E2 5b Sport 9 pitches
Imagínate Argentina > … > Frey > Campanile Esloveno
 34
5.10 6b 20 VII- 19 E2 5b Trad 5 pitches
Objetivo Luna Argentina > … > Frey > El Cohete Lunar
 31
5.10c 6b 20 VII 20 E2 5b Trad, Alpine 8 pitches
Lost Fingers Argentina > … > Frey > Aguja Frey
 38
5.10c 6b 20 VII 20 E2 5b Trad, Alpine 3 pitches
E.Z. Does It Chile > … > Cerro Trinidad > Trinidad Norte
 35
5.10+ 6b+ 21 VII+ 20 E3 5b Trad 9 pitches
Bienvenidos a mi Insomnio Chile > … > Cerro Trinidad > Trinidad Norte
 29
5.11a 6c 22 VII+ 22 E3 5c Trad 20 pitches
No Hay Hoyes Chile > … > Valle Trinidad > Pared Silverback
 27
5.11a 6c 22 VII+ 22 E3 5c Trad 6 pitches
Al Centro y Adentro Chile > … > Anfiteatro > Atardecer
 45
5.11c 6c+ 24 VIII- 24 E4 6a Trad 12 pitches
More Classic Climbs in South America »

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