> What's the highest mountain in both the Southern and Western hemispheres?And the answer: Mount Aconcagua. Photo credit: Bjørn Christian Tørrissen[https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Aconcagua2016.jpg], CC BY-SA 4.0[https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0], via Wikimedia Commons.Locatedin Argentina as part of the Andes Mountains, Mount Aconcagua is the highest peakoutside of Asia. As the highest mountain in South America, it's one of theworld's so-called "Seven Summits," with a summit elevation of more than 22,000feet above sea level.Mount Aconcagua is a force to be reckoned with. Likely derived from the Quechuaphrase Ackon Cahuak, meaning “Sentinel of Stone," the peak is one of the higheston the globe and a notorious trek for ambitious mountain climbers. Firstattempts at ascent date back to 1883, but no climber was able to successfullysurmount the peak until 1897. Aconcagua is an extinct volcano that was active until a minimum of 9.5 millionyears ago. This accounts for its immense height, as well as the nearby ridgesand summits to which it is connected. Interestingly, though, the exact height ofits highest peak has been debated since the late 1800s. The Chilean bordercommittee stood by 22,830 feet, while the Argentine Committee declared it to be23,390 feet. Though it all seems quite high up to all of us ground-dwellers, theaccepted height wasn't settled on for many years. Today it is generally acceptedto be 22,841 feet high. Mount Aconcagua is considered to be the highest non-technical mountain in theworld, meaning the northern route does not require ropes, axes, or pins.However, fitness and physical ability are absolutely necessary. Climbing over22,000 feet over 3 weeks is not for the faint of heart, and altitude sickness iscommon. Though, we're sure the view from the top is worth it. Check out sites from the journey below.