Which mountain is the highest peak in the Andes?

Aconcagua is the highest peak in the Andes. It rises in Mendoza Province, Argentina, near the border with Chile, and reaches about 6,961 meters above sea level.

Aconcagua is also the highest mountain in both the Western and Southern Hemispheres. Although it is often described as a volcano because of its massive profile, it is not an active volcano. Geologically, it is part of the Andes mountain system created by the subduction of the Nazca Plate beneath the South American Plate.

The mountain’s name may derive from Indigenous languages, although its exact etymology is debated. The first recorded ascent to the summit was made in 1897 by the Swiss guide Matthias Zurbriggen during an expedition led by Edward FitzGerald.

Aconcagua is technically less difficult than many high Himalayan peaks on its normal route, but altitude, cold, wind, and rapidly changing weather make it dangerous. Climbers commonly use acclimatization schedules and established high camps before attempting the summit.