Why is the distance between the summit and the last camp often the longer ? It's obvious descent takes as long as the way up but why do climbers always wake up earlier and walk longer on summit day and not add a camp between the last camp and the summit ?

Denali summit is 3100ft above high camp.

It isn't always like that, but climb high sleep low is a rule followed by many, but your math is way off.

How do you figure that on Denali, the summit is 6000 feet higher than the last camp? Most people on the standard route at least camp at 17,200 feet, which is just over 3000 feet from the summit.

On Aconcagua the normal high camp is ~19,400, which again is just over 3000 feet from the summit.

Scott wrote:On Aconcagua the normal high camp is ~19,400, which again is just over 3000 feet from the summit.

+ 1

The summit day is longer, because at altitude, you'll be moving slower. Not because you'll be doing more elevation.

Also, there will be people with problems.