Here is an interesting article about the after effects of climbing Aconcagua
http://www.roanoke.com/news/roanoke/wb/148437

wow, hard to believe they only encountered 20 people

^
Shhh. Don't tell anyone there are other great mountains in the area. We were in the Mercedario group earlier this month and there were never more than ten people at base camp.

Apart from that it was 2 weeks without seeing anyone - except the lamas (or guanacos) of course.

So true. It really is only a few mountains in the Andes that see the vast majority of the traffic. Places like some of the Ecuador volcanoes, some of the Cordillera Blanca peaks, Aconcagua, El Plomo, etc.

I've climbed many peaks in the Andes and other than the Cotopaxi, Chimborazo, and Iliniza we haven't run into anyone up high. I can't think of running into anyone up high on any of the other peaks. I did run into one other climber on Nevado Tolima, but that was down pretty low.

The nice thing about the Andes (or a number of other ranges) is that if you don't mind the crowds you can climb the popular peaks, but there are hundreds or maybe even thousands of peaks where you won't see anyone. Even in places like Ecuador, it is only a few of the peaks that see all the traffic and there are other peaks that offer solitude. If you don't like it remote, there are other peaks with huts and such. There is something for everyone in the Andes.

since when is denali "relatively tame"

cdog wrote:wow, hard to believe they only encountered 20 people

probably it was 20 only on the summit day...

Three black toenails! Who here can imagine that?