South Face Route

This is the standard and most frequently climbed route on Aconcagua. It is a non-technical high-altitude mountaineering route, but the extreme elevation makes acclimatization essential. The route is long, exposed to strong winds, and often involves loose volcanic scree and cold conditions. Climbers typically use a chain of camps on the northwest side of the mountain. The final section to the summit is strenuous mainly because of altitude rather than technical difficulty. It is the best-documented route on the peak and the one most commonly described in guidebooks.

The Polish Glacier Route is a well-known alpine route on Aconcagua and is generally considered more serious than the Normal Route. It involves glacier travel, snow and ice slopes, and objective hazards such as crevasses and changing snow conditions. The route is less commonly used than the northwest side and requires stronger mountaineering skills and better judgment. Conditions can vary widely from year to year, affecting the difficulty substantially. It is a documented classic alternative on the mountain. Because of its glacier character, it is more committing than the standard route.