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I don't think I am particularly fit. I just summited Elbrus last week and that felt very hard.

If I went to try Aconcagua it would be January giving me 3 months mayyyybe 4 months training between then and now. I am from Australia so everything would be at sea level and I wouldn't be able to get in any small climbs (Cotopaxi for example) just before going to do Aconcagua. It would be straight in and out.

I have climbed Huayna Potosi, Island Peak and Elbrus all guided. I feel as though I would be pushing it, the other option is to do some other climbs and do Aconcagua at the end of 2014.

A penny for your thoughts.

You would be the best person to answer that question

Having been to Aconcagua, IMO the main difference between Aconcagua and your climbs on Elbrus, Island, and HPotosi is the duration of the climb. Most guide services allow 2-3 weeks for Aconcagua depending on the route. That time normally includes a rest day every 3-4 days. That means you'll be spending a lot more time working hard at altitude than was required by the other peaks so that's something to consider.

I haven't climbed Aconcagua nor a mountain of that altitude (only been up to 5000m) so I can't really give you any advice or pointers on altitude related stuff (us Australians are unfortunately in a relatively flat part of the world).

However I have put in a few long and hard slogs in my time and, although you may not be 'particually fit' (hard to gauge what you mean by that), you definitely do need to be fit for Aconcagua (more so than for climbing the peaks you have mentioned due to the length of the slog). IMO, with hard work it would definitely be possible to get yourself in a suitable shape for Aconcagua.

Having been in a similar situation to you training for a hard slog, stairs and hilly pack marches with a heavy pack have put me in good stead (a few shorter sessions during the week, 1-2hrs, and a longer session each weekend). I find going for long runs is also beneficial.

That’s just me though…………… Different people react in different ways at near 7000m altitude (especially with minimal altitude training) – who knows!!!!

As a fellow bloke from Oz, I’d always suggest taking a cheap flight to NZ – many more interesting mountains there than Aconcagua and 10 fold cheaper!!!!

I think you sell yourself short. If you have climbed IP, HP and Elbrus you probably have more HA experience than most people who attempt Aconcagua.

The good thing about Aconcagua is that if you give yourself a good 3-4 weeks you should have some great acclimatisation which you may not have had on some of your other HA incursions.

I don't know the definition of fitness but HA stuff like Aconcagua is an endurance and a mental game. No sub 3 hour marathon times are required. Can you wake up at 3 am at 5,800 m after 3 weeks on the mountain for that final push. Can you put yourself in the best position possible fir that climb, looking after your health and your sanity. If you have climbed those 3 other peaks, I think you definitely have the right stuff for Aconcagua.

Thanks guys certainly got me thinking. I will probably look into it a bit more and make a decision when I get home form Russia.

I guess my main concern was if I had enough time to get in the right shape to be able to get to the top. I feel like I may be cutting it a bit fine.

P.S If I did Aconcagua in January and did Kili on the way to south America would this be sufficient acclimitisation?

Maybe I can kill two birds with one stone.

Actually guys I would be pretty keen to quit my job around December and try and do Kili, some Ecuador Volcanoes and Aconcagua around Dec-Feb. Is this possible or am I just dreaming?

Maybe I could actually do it in this order Ecuador Volcanoes -> Aconcagua -> Kili. I could bolt up Kili in a few days on the way home.

Do you WANT to do Aconcagua? Jesus Christ, its a mountain, and should be a challenge. If you KNOW you can do something, why bother? When you are not sure success will taste much better.

The Ecuador idea is feasible. There are lots of volcanoes at elevations between 12k and 20k ft elevations, all pretty accessible. Not a bad strategy for acclimatization. 3 months is enough time to improve fitness if your exercise regimen is appropriate. And my impression is that Elbrus is typically climbed in just a couple of days, so it may have felt tougher than expected due to poor acclimatization.

Well I'm A newbie but what I've understood no one uses a rope or ice pick on Aconcagua so technically it should be no challenge for you. On hyuna potosi you atleast need to know the basic self arrests and stuff.

So over all just get yourself as fit as possible and the summit is yours. Considering the weather will be good etc.

Hi,
I climbed Aconcagua 3 years ago from the normal route; don´t worry too much about the acclimatization long time before the trip: take in account that the acclimatization effects on your body desappear after 1 or 2 weeks after you have been in hight altitude. You must plan acclimatization time just before trying to summit Aconcagua, that means that you have to go up and down to camp 1 (5300 m) one or two times, you have to sleep in camp 1 at least 2 times, and in camp 2 (6000 m) the same, before trying the summit. You have also the possibility to climb other peaks near the Base Camp (Plaza de Mulas)
From techical point of you you have enought experience for the Normal route: it is just a path, you don´t need technical equipment (only crampons can be useful in case of snow in the upper part of the ascension).
You have to be ready to spend at least 3 or 4 weeks in the wild, that is a longer period than the ones you spent for climbing Elbrus, HP and so on.
The idea to go to Ecuador just before could help you in acclimatization, but take the time for resting too!
Goog luck!
Preparation: if you have the possibility to run 3 time per weeks fo 1 hour and to perform some long

you have to be ready to spend at least 3 or 4 weeks in the wild

I am not sure if you have actual love for all the mountains and being in the wild, but if you do I would suggest going to Cordillera Blanca instead. There in 3 weeks you can easily climb 3-4 beautiful peaks and experience much more scenery. And in addition you will actually have to wear crampons!
I went there this summer and had a great time. To acclimate you can do hikes to different beautiful lagunas and than pick a few peaks. There are easy and hard ones there. Highest peak is 6,768 M, so not that much lower in elevation than Aconcagua. Research it at least, the place is stunning and cheap. So is the food.

Haha some interesting responses I will keep them all in mind. Thanks guys.

did you take any altitude medication when in Elbrus?

I have never taken any altitude medication anywhere.