Kilimanjaro: Why Climb with an Expedition Company?
Kilimanjaro: Why Climb with an Expedition Company?
When planning a trek to the Roof of Africa, we don’t doubt that you’ll do your homework comparing routes, prices, operators, and more. If you’ve been digging, it’s more than likely that you’ve noticed a few differences in our Kilimanjaro expeditions compared to others.
So, how do we choose to set ourselves apart from the rest? We are proud to be a true mountaineering guide service rather than simply a trek operator. With a name like Climbing the Seven Summits, it shouldn’t be a surprise that we lead expeditions all over the world. From the summit of Everest to the top of Antarctica, Aconcagua to Denali, our mission is to deploy the best guides and logistics in the world for your safety and success in the high mountains. In addition, we take pride in having a different approach and philosophy when compared to most travel companies. The quality of our hand-picked, global guide staff, our approach to high altitude illness, our acclimatization schedules, our Marginal Gains Philosophy, and our No D*ckheads Policy are just a few of the things that set us apart.


Guide Staff
Our annual Kilimanjaro team departure in December is an excellent example of how CTSS uses our status as a mountaineering guide service to deploy the best guides in the world. Last season, budding mountaineers were guided by world-renowned IFMGA guide Tendi Sherpa. Tendi is widely regarded as one of the most respected guides on Mount Everest and across the entire climbing community. He is also our most sought-after guide in the Himalayas booked years in advance for a summit on Everest. With countless summits on Everest, Manaslu, Cho Oyu, Lhotse, and beyond, he is a prime example of the caliber of guides we bring on our Kilimanjaro expeditions.
In December 2024, our team departure will once again be star-guided, this time by Pega Sherpa, who (much like Tendi) is one of the world’s best Everest and Himalayan guides. With thirteen 8000m expeditions under his belt, including nine Everest expeditions and countless 6000m and 7000m ascents, we are proud to offer up once again the rare opportunity to pick the brains of one of the world’s most sought-after private guides. As one of our clients (and a Seven Summits finisher) recently shared, “Pega is a LEGEND,” and we couldn’t agree more with their feedback.
Regardless of whether you have Himalayan aspirations, we do not doubt that all who climb with our star guides, like Pega and Tendi, will appreciate their skills, patience, and stories from the mountains.
Program Management Team
Whether you’re looking to tackle Kilimanjaro as part of your Seven Summits journey or a singular objective, you will benefit from the expertise of our dedicated Program Management team. From the moment you submit your first inquiry, you will be met with personalized advice and attention from our Program Managers. Unlike other trek operators, we don’t send automated emails about your expedition or push you from person to person within the company when you ask a question.
When you sign up to climb Kilimanjaro, our team offers personalized support to help you prepare and ensure you understand the route, the gear, the training regimen, and all the other logistics that come with flying to Tanzania for a nearly two-week expedition. In addition, as a holistic mountaineering guiding service, we are committed to retaining you as a happy climber. We work with mountaineers over a lifetime of climbing, and we get to know each individual throughout their progression. This means we are deeply invested not only in your safety and success but also in your goals, your learning, your journey, and your satisfaction. A Kilimanjaro-only trek operator only needs your business once, whether you summit or not, get altitude sick or not. It’s our goal that, once you climb with us, you’ll stick with CTSS expedition after expedition.
Our Program Managers look forward to helping you create a path that makes your climbing dreams come true. You won’t get a generalized plan for your mountaineering journey from our team. You get a custom-tailored plan designed for you, your budget, and your timeline, and we will always be ready to answer your questions and provide personalized support rather than become one of the countless faceless online booking platforms.

Kilimanjaro Porters Assistance Program
CTSS is a proud Kilimanjaro Porters Assistance Program (KPAP) member through the Partner for Responsible Travel Program, a legally registered non-profit supporting the fair and ethical treatment of Kilimanjaro porters, cooks, and mountain guides. We are fully committed to exceeding the expectations outlined by the organization and taking excellent care of our Tanzanian mountain crew.
In choosing us as your Kilimanjaro Responsible Trekking Organization (KRTO), you guarantee that you are doing the most to ensure your porters receive the treatment they deserve. We are monitored independently and objectively by KPAP, and we allow this organization to evaluate the treatment of our porters during all of our climbs. Outside of tracking KRTOs, KPAP also raises public awareness regarding the proper treatment of porters on Kilimanjaro and assists climbing companies with implementing procedures that ensure fair and ethical treatment of their porters.
As a KRTO-certified partner company, we can guarantee the following:
- Socially responsible Kilimanjaro mountain tourism
- Fair and ethical treatment of all mountain crews
- No exploitation and mistreatment of all mountain crews

Check out our recent webinar—Mountaineering 101: Understanding Acclimatization & High-Altitude—to better our philosophy.
Acclimatization Schedule
Acute mountain sickness (AMS) is a common concern for trekkers, especially since Kilimanjaro is often a first foray into high-altitude environments and shouldn’t be underestimated. We favor the 7-day Machame Route, which allows for the best views and optimum acclimatization on the mountain, increasing your opportunity for success. We purposely keep a slow acclimatization schedule and climbing pace to allow you plenty of time to acclimatize naturally. Slow and steady wins the race.
Keeping a generous acclimatization schedule on Kilimanjaro is especially important for people under 25 years old who, while incredibly fit, have higher incidences of altitude sickness because they have less cranial space than their older counterparts. Because of caveats like this, we collaborate with some of the industry’s best experts in the field of acclimatization and spend time educating our clients to help them manage altitude safely.
Marginal Gains Philosophy
Our Marginal Gains Philosophy is simple: we capitalize on every little advantage. One percent here and one percent there quickly compounds into a huge overall improvement. People sometimes dismiss these little luxuries as soft, but we invest in them because they are highly strategic.
One of the most critical parts of mountaineering is eating well. Most climbers lose a huge amount of weight when climbing because altitude affects appetite and suppresses hunger. People just don’t “feel” like eating, the very thing they need to do given how much energy the body expends climbing, and even at rest, at altitude! On Kilimanjaro, we ensure your team has a dedicated cook team who prepare fresh, nutritious, and delicious meals that help fuel your body at altitude. No freeze-dried meals or cans of Spam in sight! Our goal is to help you keep your energy, strength, stamina, and happiness high throughout the expedition.
The list of marginal gains could go on and on—but what you need to know is that we’ve spent time engineering our expeditions to make you feel your best so you can focus on climbing at your best.


No D*ckheads Policy
We stand by our No D*ckheads Policy.
Successfully summiting the world’s mightiest peaks requires more than just physical fitness. It demands enormous mental strength, commitment, and, most importantly, deep humility. The “secret sauce” to a great expedition is the people you share it with. It can be the difference between success and failure. Most operators never bother getting to know their clients and will blindly accept anyone who pays the bill, whereas CTSS is selective of both our guide staff and our clients and holds everyone to the same high standards of behavior. Our culture is a huge part of what makes our expeditions so enjoyable, and we love climbing with like-minded people who are assets to their team.
We look for climbers who have humility and respect for the mountains, the environment, your guides, your teammates, and our shared priorities of safety and success (strictly in that order).
Signature Safari + Custom-Luxury Add-Ons
Our 3-day, 2-night signature African safari is a great way to celebrate your success on Mount Kilimanjaro and a perfect time for your friends and family to join you. We have put together a quick, celebratory safari after your climb that shows you the best of Tarangire National Park (renowned for its distinctive landscapes and the most abundant elephant population in Tanzania) and Ngorongoro Crater (a UNESCO World Heritage Site, often called Africa’s Eden), where you will experience some of the most spectacular wildlife and landscapes that Africa has to offer. No trip to Africa is complete without a safari!
If you have something else in mind, our team will plan a customized luxury itinerary that hits all your African-inspired bucket list items! Maybe it’s a hot air balloon ride over the Serengeti or getting up close (but not too personal) with the wild gorillas in Uganda. And don’t forget about our 3-day, 2-night Zanzibar getaway, a great way to unwind and relax in one of the most beautiful parts of the continent. With idyllic swimming beaches, turquoise waters, and beach bonfires by night, daily itineraries tend to be gloriously simple: sunbathe, swim, party, and repeat.

Final Thoughts on Kilimanjaro
Kilimanjaro is a fantastic climb for beginner and seasoned mountaineers alike because of its accessibility, stunning landscapes, cultural richness, and enjoyability. It offers a non-technical climb, meaning no prior climbing experience or hyper-specialized gear is required. This accessibility makes it an ideal choice for individuals new to high-altitude trekking and mountaineering who are eager to give it a go and take on a significant challenge. If you’re eyeing the Seven Summits or maybe just looking to get a taste of mountaineering, Kilimanjaro deserves a place on your tick list.
If you have any questions that remain unanswered, check out our Kilimanjaro website and drop us an email at info@climbingthesevensummits.com so our team can provide one-to-one support to make your climbing dreams a reality.
Manaslu Climbers Start High Camp Rotations
Here is a quick update from the field today from our Manaslu climbers! After a successful overnight at Camp One for our climbers, they've made it back to Base Camp to rest and recharge before continuing their acclimatization rotations.
The team will complete another rotation to Manaslu's Camp One, Camp Two, and Camp Three before one more staying a few more nights at Base Camp to round out their acclimatization schedule. After they finish their final rotation, hopefully by the weekend, they will rest before taking their summit bid.
Weather will be the biggest factor when it comes to making their summit bid, and lead guide Tendi Sherpa will keep a close eye on the conditions and identify the very best window for success. It's our goal that all expeditions are safe and successful, in that order, which is why we have guides like Tendi at the helm of many of our expeditions.
Manaslu photos from CTSS Archives. Photo Credit Tendi Sherpa
High Camp Rotations on Manaslu.
Manaslu looking beautiful at sunrise. This view is coming soon for our climbers!
The prime location for CTSS Base Camp is Manaslu.
Acclimatization continues on Manaslu
Our team on Manaslu has been busy! After a week of acclimatization hikes in and around Samagau and Samdo, the team recentered this weekend with a traditional Tibetan Buddhist Puja blessing ceremony. Together, they raised prayer flags and paid their respect to the deity of Mount Manaslu.
This expedition has already been filled with team bonding, stunning views, and great weather, something we all hope continues as the team begins their high-mountain rotations. If all goes well weather-wise, the team should head to Camp One tomorrow before tagging Camp Two.
As CTSS lead guide Tendi Sherpa shared, "Acclimatization is essential to adapt to higher altitudes, allowing the body to adjust to lower oxygen levels, reducing risks of altitude sickness."
We are proud to employ slow acclimatization schedules on all of our treks and climbs. We want you to reach the summit as a happy and healthy climber, and we know proper acclimatization is crucial to making this happen.
Slow acclimatization schedules on Manaslu make for happy climbers! (Photo: Tendi Sherpa)
Climbing high above Samagau and Samdo. (Photo: Tendi Sherpa)
Puja blessing ceremony for our Manaslu climbers. (Photo: Tendi Sherpa)
Moving on up! Manaslu Base Camp. (Photo: Tendi Sherpa)
CTSS Base Camp on Manaslu looks good and is crucial to our Marginal Gains Philosophy! (Photo: Tendi Sherpa)
Keep an eye out on our blog as our Manaslu team climbers make their way to Camp One! (Photo: Tendi Sherpa)
Manaslu Team has Arrived in Nepal!
Here we go! A new climbing season is upon us, which means our teams are headed back to Nepal to climb some of our favorite peaks. We are kicking things off with a team climb on Manaslu, followed by a 3 Peaks team climb where climbers will tick off Lobuche East (6,119m), Pokalde (5,806m), and Island Peak (6,160m). Our season will wrap with one of our specialty programs - First Ascent - where climbers will make a First Ascent in Nepal and climb a peak no one has ever climbed.
Tendi Sherpa is at the helm of our Manalu team climb and has been busy doing gear checks, briefings, and getting the team to Samagoan via helicopter. News from Tendi early this morning came in, and the team is staying active hiking and acclimatizing and will be moving to Base Camp soon. Once at Base Camp, the acclimatization will continue, and the team will join in on a Purja blessing ceremony, a Tibetan Buddhist ritual that is part of Sherpa life; the purpose is to ask the mountain deity for safe passage and, of course, to celebrate.
We will continue to post updates from the team as they make their way to Manaslu's Base Camp and beyond. Also, keep an eye on our Instagram feed for updates!
Team Dinner in Kathmandu (Photo Credit: Tendi Sherpa)
Acclimatizing above Samagoan (Photo Credit: Tendi Sherpa)
We are thankful for Tendi Sherpa's expert guidance and leadership on Manaslu this year.
Guide Spotlight: Tomi Ceppi
Guide Spotlight: Tomi Ceppi
Say hello to CTSS Senior Guide, Tomás (Tomi) Ceppi! Born and raised in Patagonia, Argentina, Tomi started climbing mountains at an early age, beginning with ascents in Nahuel Huapi, Argentina’s oldest National Park. Since then, Tomi has continued to climb around the world and has completed an enormous number of rock climbing routes, backcountry ski descents, and mountaineering ascents, including Mount Everest and Lhotse, the latter without the use of supplemental oxygen.
Tomi is certified by the Provincial School for Mountain and Trekking Guides (EPGAMT) and is a member of the Argentinean Mountain Guides Association (AAGM). He also has his Wilderness First Aid (WFA) and Wilderness First Responder (WFR) certificate, as well as his AIARE Level I certification from The American Institute of Avalanche Research and Education.
Given the proximity of his childhood home to Aconcagua, Tomi has climbed the Stone Sentinel more than a few times and has extensive experience leading expeditions. Beyond Acooncagua, Tomi has climbed throughout South America, including the Central Andes, Patagonia, Chile, Peru, and Bolivia, as well as across the world. Notable summits include Island Peak (Nepal), Lobuche East (Nepal), Broad Peak (Pakistan), Vinson Massif (Antarctica), Denali (Alaska), Mount Kilimanjaro (Tanzania), Mount Elbrus (Russia), and throughout the Alps (Europe).

But Tomi has another skill up his sleeve outside of the climbing world. Tomi takes pride in his Argentinian roots and is often found at Everest Base Camp or Vinson Base Camp, whipping up a feast for his fellow climbers and guides. Just this year at Everest Base Camp, Tomi was spotted in the kitchen cooking incredible Argentinian fare, as well as pizza and chicken brochette skewers. If you are on one of Tomi’s expeditions, you can guarantee that you will be well-fed!
With a climbing resume like Tomi’s, we’re not surprised you’re eager to join him on the slopes of some of our favorite mountains. Below are a few upcoming expeditions where you can climb with Tomi or bump into him during your adventure. While he doesn’t guide every date listed below, he leads many of our team departures and is available to guide on a 1:1 basis. As a Senior Guide, Tomi has helped shape many of our expeditions, regardless if he is guiding them or not.
Climb with Tomi
Vinson Massif
We’re stoked to have Tomi as one of our lead guide for all of our 2025/2026 Vinson Massif team departures. Because when it comes to climbing to the tallest peak on the coldest continent in the world, you’ll want Tomi on your team! Also, don’t forget to check out our Vinson webinar co-hosted by Tomi.


Carstensz Pyramid
Carstensz is back, and naturally, Senior Guide Tomi is up for the challenge of guiding one of the most remote and hard-to-reach of the Seven Summits. If you’re looking for a true adventure, world-class rock climbing, and the best guides in the world, join us.
Aconcagua
Climbing with Tomi in Argentina, his home country, is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. Tomi has been climbing in his “backyard” since he was a young boy, and he loves showing off South America’s tallest peak to fellow climbers. If you want to learn more about our Aconcagua program, register for our FREE webinar in October.

When you climb with Tomi you are undoubtedly getting one of the best guides in the world. But what’s more is who Tomi is as a person. He is kind and caring, an ace in the kitchen, and, of course, strong and technically solid in the backcountry. We are incredibly lucky to work with guides like Tomi to offer world-class climbs that center around climbing in good style.
The Seven Summits Series: Vinson Massif
Hosted by Mike Hamill and Tomi Ceppi
Aconcagua: Your Top Five Questions Answered
Aconcagua: Your Top Five (Six) Questions Answered
Aconcagua is a true test for any mountaineer, with a well-earned reputation for being dusty, windy, cold, and extreme. Aconcagua (22,841 feet / 6,962 meters) is the second highest of the Seven Summits, the tallest peak in the world outside the Himalayas, and the apex of both the Southern and Western Hemispheres.
There is no shortage of details to consider before and during your Aconcagua expedition. From gear and training to mules and porters, we want to ensure you have all the resources for a safe and successful climb. CTSS outfits our teams with the best logistics and the most capable, qualified, and seasoned guides to support your safety and success on Aconcagua. To learn more about our upcoming expeditions, head to our website.
To help potential climbers better understand what it means to take on a climb like Aconcagua, we gathered up your top questions and asked Mike Hamill, owner of CTSS and author of Climbing the Seven Summits, and the talented team at CTSS to answer a few.

What route are we climbing?

CTSS expeditions ascend via a variation on the False Polish (also known as the 360 Route) that Mike Hamill helped develop more than a decade ago. This route approaches the mountain through the Vacas and Relinchos Valleys and uses the first camp on the False Polish Route.
From there, it traverses over to the higher camps on the old Guanacos Route and uses one more camp than the typical False Polish Route. Our final camp is higher than the False Polish Route’s, which makes for a more approachable summit day. By traversing the mountain and descending via the Normal Route to Plaza de Mulas, we see a different side of the mountain, have an easier descent, and enjoy a shorter hike back out to the road, thus taking a day off the descent.
Our carefully planned route is less crowded and cleaner than the Normal or False Polish Routes. It incorporates shorter days and better climbing terrain than the False Polish Route. This variation offers you the best of climbing on Aconcagua: fewer people, less repetition in your climbing, a cleaner route, shorter days, better terrain, more variation of scenery, and a shorter/easier descent.
Overall, it’s a huge advantage. We have had incredible success traversing the mountain and climbers really enjoy this option.
What’s the best way to train for carrying heavy packs on a long expedition?
Aconcagua asks a lot of climbers physically. We sat down with our friend and partner Lisa Thompson from Alpine Athletics to talk shop about Aconcagua and how climbers can prepare for carrying heavy loads multiple days in a row at high altitudes.
- Get comfortable ascending and descending steep, unstable rock while wearing a heavy pack. If you have access to hills with loose rock, you’re in business! If you’re elevation-challenged, you’ll need to get creative and consider a loose rock pile, sand dunes, or urban features like retaining walls. In the gym, you can focus on single-leg squats and lunges on an unstable surface like a Bosu ball or work with resistance bands to strengthen stabilizers and core muscles. It will also expand your confidence in ascending and descending Aconcagua’s rocky slopes and ultimately allow you to conserve energy by moving more efficiently.
- If Aconcagua is your first multi-week expedition, build endurance and resilience on other long endeavors. Take an Alpine Academy course, head to Ecuador or Nepal for a multi-day trek, or plan multi-day backpacking trips with elevation gain (extra points for cold weather) or a century ride. These intermediate goals are also great ways to test gear, nutrition, and hydration.
- Give yourself plenty of training time to build the strength to carry a 55-pound (25-kg) backpack. Backpack weight on Aconcagua is no joke, and your body needs time to adapt to the stress of carrying a heavy load uphill for several hours on successive days. After you’ve built a solid level of general fitness, begin weighted backpack carries on hikes or a tread or stair mill. When you’re adding weight, do what feels right for your body, but you can aim for 5 pounds (2.3 kg) every two weeks. Work up to carrying 10% more weight than you’ll carry on the mountain.
When you’re training for Aconcagua, you should aim for 45-60 minutes three to four times per week and one workout longer than two hours each week. Try stacking your workouts together (i.e., working out two to three days in a row, then taking a rest day) to mimic the fact that you’ll be climbing several days in a row during the expedition.
Finally, listen to your body! Getting injured is an annoying reason to miss a climb or the summit. If you notice persistent joint pain or don’t fully recover in 1-2 days after a workout, take some time off to let your body heal. Working out doesn’t make you stronger, resting after working out makes you stronger.

How do the porters on Aconcagua work, and what’s the benefit?

Since we have double-carried all of our gear up the mountain to high camp, we will have a lot of gear to bring down after our summit bid in one push to base camp on the other side of the mountain. Climbers are tired after the summit bid and generally decide that it’s worth paying porters to assist in bringing some of their gear down from high camp to base camp (even our guides tend to take this option). Carrying everything down can be rough on your knees.
Usually, we split a few porters on the way down to lighten the load. Two people can split a porter load so that each climber can offload 10kg of weight (20kg total for a porter load). If you think that this might be something you are interested in, please make sure to have some extra cash available, as the on-mountain economy is cash-only. This is entirely optional but a nice service to have available to us. If you’ve hired a porter for the entire expedition, then a 20kg carry-down from high camp will be included for you.
To see the most up-to-date information on hiring a porter and the costs, head to our website.
We want all climbers to enjoy their experience and be successful on Aconcagua, so we encourage the use of porters if this will aid your success and enjoyment. It’s important to note that porters are very expensive on Aconcagua relative to other climbs.
A standard porter load is 20kg and charged at a flat rate up to that maximum weight (i.e., if you only have 17kg, you will still be charged the 20kg rate). Additional weight will be charged at a prorated amount per kilogram. It is important to note that if you are using a porter, you will still need to carry some of your gear. However, your pack will be closer to 10-14kg rather than 20-25kg for each carry and move up the mountain.
Aconcagua is typically climbed with each team member carrying their own items and a portion of the group gear (e.g., food, tent, stoves, etc.). Your personal load from camp to camp will often include 3-5kg of group gear.
On Aconcagua, our teams employ a double carry, a technique that not only supports acclimatization but also makes moving large amounts of gear up the mountain easier. A double carry, simply put, means you will take two trips to each camp – a carry day and a move day. For example, we will pack all our extra food and any gear we don’t need at the moment into our packs, ascend from Plaza Argentina to Camp 1, cache our gear at Camp 1, and then return to Plaza Argentina the same afternoon to sleep low. That is our carry day. The next day, all the remaining gear goes in our packs, and we re-ascend to Camp 1, staying there and leaving Plaza Argentina behind. That is our move day. Repeat for Camp 1 to Camp 2 and Camp 2 to Camp 3. It’s important to note that if you hire a porter, they will only assist on your move day and will not be traveling with the team.

What can I do to mitigate the cold, especially on summit day?
Layer, layer, layer! Keeping your core warm is the foundation for keeping everything else warm. Some folks with cold extremities have found that adding a very light vest to their layering system bumps up their core temperature without causing quick overheating. From the warm core, blood needs to stay warm, heading down the legs to reach your feet and hands. Don’t skimp on your layers just because you’re in South America!
Triple Boots: Because of the extreme cold on summit day, we recommend climbers choose a triple boot. Make sure your boots have enough room for heavy socks without being too tight. The extra room lets the foot move a little bit, swell with altitude, and maintain strong circulation, resulting in greater warmth. When you purchase your boots, try to buy from somewhere with a good return policy if at all possible. Don’t be surprised if you have to try on 2-3 sizes or brands to find a good fit and size up 1-2 sizes larger than normal to account for the extra room needed. It’s not worth ruining your expedition by forcing your feet into ill-fitting boots for weeks on end. We recommend the La Sportiva Olympus Mon Cube S or Scarpa Phantom 8000 Thermic HD.

Climbing Parka: Don’t underestimate the cold on Aconcagua. This is real alpine climbing, and it is very cold on the summit day. You NEED to have a heavy down parka with a hood for the climb and multiple midweight layers to go underneath. If you are unsure how heavy the parka should be, err on the heavier side. It’s better to be too warm than not warm enough. We recommend the Mountain Hardwear Absolute Zero Parka.
Hand Layers: Hand layers are one of the most important parts of your kit. We recommend bringing four types of hand layers: a light-liner glove for trekking, a medium-weight glove for down low, heavyweight gloves like the Black Diamond Guide Glove, and a large pair of down mitts. Ensure that your heavyweight gloves are not too tight and can fit your light liner glove inside comfortably. Your mitts should be as warm as they can be and usually one size larger than you need so you can fit them over any and all of your other gloves. We recommend the Outdoor Research Alti II GORE-TEX Mitts.

Face Protection: Layering is also important for your face. We recommend three pieces of gear to help protect your face from the cold: a buff, a face mask, and goggles. Buffs are an essential piece of gear for climbing, as they warm and humidify the air. Pack several of these and use them religiously. However, buffs are not enough. You will need at least one warm face mask that covers all of your skin in conjunction with the goggles. Make sure you’re prepared with at least one thick face mask. Last but not least, goggles are essential for keeping your eyes from freezing in storms and for keeping the dust out of your eyes on really windy days. We recommend bringing two pairs of goggles: one clear pair for night and one dark pair for sun protection. We recommend the Julbo Skydome Goggles.

Hand and Toe Warmers: If your feet get cold easily or you just want to make sure they’re warm, we recommend buying some toe and hand warmers to slip in your boots and gloves for added warmth on the summit days. If your feet get really cold, consider buying an electrical heating system that can keep your feet warm for hours on the climb. We want to make sure that you don’t turn around on summit day because of cold feet. We recommend Hotronics Foot Warmers.
I’ve climbed Kilimanjaro. Am I ready to tackle Aconcagua?
Kilimanjaro is a great climb to take on before Aconcagua. It will introduce you to altitude and some of the general realities of mountain living, making it a common entrance point into the world of mountaineering. In fact, many highly successful climbers can trace their start back to Kilimanjaro. However, the leap from Kilimanjaro to Aconcagua can be a real challenge.

While Aconcagua doesn’t involve roped glacier travel and can sometimes be climbed without crampons, it is wholly different from Kilimanjaro. The mountain is significantly taller, and the expedition much longer, and those factors alone make Aconcagua significantly more difficult than Kilimanjaro.
We climb Aconcagua in a “capsule” style, meaning we bring our food, tents, fuel, and personal gear each time we move camp. Essentially, once we leave base camp, we run fully autonomously out of our packs. Each member of the team is expected to help carry some pieces of group gear, as well as be an active participant in setting up camp after each move. You can hire porters to assist with carrying weight (see above), but this cost is not included as part of the expedition.
We share all of this not to scare you away from Aconcagua but in the interest of transparency. We’ve seen climbers who make this leap too quickly and end up coming back two or three more times to finally reach the summit of Aconcagua, spending valuable time and money. We also know there are operators out there who bill Aconcagua as the perfect and easy next step after Kilimanjaro. The truth is, those operators have no qualms about attracting as many climbers as possible and then turning around low on the mountain. We much prefer an honest assessment of the challenge and helping set our climbers up for success through good, thorough training beforehand!
And remember, if you’ve climbed Kilimanjaro and felt a bit breathless and/or had a mild headache, that’s okay. Your body was working hard to adjust to the altitude and will do the same on Aconcagua. If you found it challenging to eat and drink on Kilimanjaro, that is also okay, but you will want to infuse nutrition training into your fitness training regime to ensure you can properly fuel and hydrate yourself on Aconcagua. Regardless of how you felt on Kilimanjaro, you will need to take your training seriously and prepare for Aconcagua, as its duration, remoteness, and altitude make it a serious challenge.
If you’re looking for an intermediate climb to prepare for Aconcagua, we recommend our Ecuador Volcanoes and/or Lobuche East expeditions, which will focus on the necessary skills to prepare you for summiting the Stone Sentinel.
How do mules support the expedition?


Surprise! We added a sixth question! After chatting with our Aconcagua Program Manager, we wanted to add one more question about mules and their role in the expedition. All CTSS expeditions include mule support during the three-day trek into Plaza Argentina Base Camp at the start of the expedition and the one-day trek out of Plaza de Mulas Base Camp at the end of the expedition.
At the start of the expedition in Mendoza, you will pack three bags—a day pack with daily essentials for the trek, a travel duffel that will move via mule and meet you on Days 4, 5, and 6, and a base camp duffel with your climbing equipment that will go straight to Plaza Argentina Base Camp. This makes the trek much easier, as climbers don’t have to haul all of their gear. It’s important to emphasize that you will not have access to your base camp duffel during the three-day trek to Plaza Argentina Base Camp.
After descending to Plaza de Mulas, you will have an 18-mile (30km) trek back to Penitentes, where the expedition officially ends. A mule will assist climbers by hauling out gear that is not needed during the one-day trek off the mountain. Since we traverse the mountain, we won’t cache gear on the mountain. Climbers need to make sure that they bring only the essentials up the mountain, as well as a pair of light, reliable, and comfortable sneakers that can be used as your camp booties and during your trek back to Penitentes. Gear will be left at Plaza Argentina Base Camp before ascending the mountain, but this gear will NOT meet you at Plaza Mulas Base Camp. It will meet you back at Penitentes.
Final Thoughts on Aconcagua
Aconcagua is truly one of the world’s great mountains. Climbing it is a serious endeavor that requires your full attention to detail and preparation and shouldn’t be underestimated. Please take the process seriously and know that the team at CTSS will be here to help. You will need to train hard and with commitment, purchase your gear early, and make sure you are familiar with it and know how to use it. Pack and repack your bags several times to make sure you haven’t missed anything. Little details can make a big difference on the climb.
If you have any questions that remain unanswered, drop us an email at info@climbingthesevensummits.com, and our team can offer one-to-one support to make your climbing dreams a reality.
The Seven Summits Series: Aconcagua
Aconcagua is one mountain you don’t want to underestimate. Fierce weather, extreme altitude, heavy load carries, and a lengthy expedition timeline make the journey to South America’s tallest peak a serious undertaking for any mountaineer.
If you’re ready to learn what it takes to summit the highest mountain in the world outside of the Himalayas, check out our webinar and Q&A session hosted by CTSS Owner Mike Hamill and Senior Guide Nani Stahringer. During this webinar, Mike and Nani will share how you can physically and mentally prepare for Aconcagua so you can set yourself up for greater success on the mountain. From gear and training advice to porters and route selection, if you’ve been eyeing the big A, be sure to tune in!
Youth Climbers take on Mount Baker
Our final team climb on Mount Baker for 2024 hit the mountain this weekend. Under the guidance of CTSS Guides Kat S. and Dani R., this all-women's youth team honed in on glacier skills, community, and a summit bid under the Northern Lights. CTSS guide Dani and climber Reana spun at 8,400 feet while the rest of the team, including CTSS guide Kat, Carly, Alice, and Cheri, spun at about 8,900 feet due to a local wildfire pushing its smoke toward the mountain.
Here are a few shots of the team from Kat S.
Can you spot the team on Mount Baker?
Ready to Roll! Major kudos to this all-women's youth team!
Greetings from the Summit of Kilimanjaro!
After a first few successful days on Kilimanjaro, our team climbers made their way past the Baranco Wall to reach Africa's tallest peak on Sunday, August 4th!
Congratulations to:
- Christopher M.
- Kenneth J.
- CTSS Guide Gerry M.
We offer climbs on Kilimanjaro that are a little different than other operators because, as you probably know, we are a true mountaineering guide service rather than simply a trek operator. Because of this, we have a different approach to and philosophy about high-altitude treks, acclimatization schedules, and safety and we believe all of our climbers benefit from our expertise and the high caliber of guide staff. You can see more of this in action for our December team departure, where Pega Sherpa will be taking the reigns to help climbers not only successfully reach the Roof of Africa but also offer expert guidance to prepare these climbers for expeditions in Nepal and beyond.
Pega is one of the world's best Himalayan guides. He brings a remarkable climbing resume, including seven summits of Mount Everest, summits of both Cho Oyu and Lhotse, and many more high-altitude peaks throughout the Himalayas. As one of our clients (and a Seven Summits finisher) recently shared, "Pega is a legend," and we couldn't agree more!
Here are a few photos from the team, thanks to climber Chris M. for sharing these photos.
The Roof of Africa! Congrats to Ken and Chris.
We deploy the best guides and top-notch logistics so you can focus on climbing and enjoying the journey.