1.    Torres del Paine

This set of three peaks in Chilean Patagonia dominates the national park of the same name. Two of the peaks are over 9000 feet high, and while that does not sound like a lot of altitude the steep inclines of these desolate spires put the challenge to even the most seasoned rock climbers. Heavy winds near the summits of the peaks vary between 50 to 75 mph, but can gust as high as 100.

2.   Perito Moreno Glacier

El Calafate is a village located near Lake Argentina. The Perito Moreno Glacier near El Calafate is increasingly popular as an ice hiking destination. The advance and retreat of the glaciers shifts the landscape on a daily basis and assures that no two visits to Perito Moreno are the same. A glacial environment is not all that El Calafate has to offer; Lago Argentino is home to much wildlife, including flocks of white flamingos.

3.     Bariloche

The adventurer in Argentina will find a range of mountain adventure activities at Bariloche, including kayaking runs at Manso Inferior (graded 2-3) and Manso de la Frontera (graded 3-4). In Argentina’s winter months, skiing at Bariloche, known as “American Switzerland”, offers over four-dozen ski trails of varying difficulty levels. In addition there are beautiful sites for alpine rock climbing around Bariloche, including sites such as Catedral and Piedra Parada.

4.     Cerro Torre

Cerro Torre stands on the edge of the Southern Patagonian Ice Field. Topping out at 10,262 feet this peak is not known for its height but for its extreme climactic conditions. Cerro Torre has also been the subject of mountaineering controversy. Italian Cesare Maestri in 1959 was the first person to claim to have reached the summit of Cerro Torre, but subsequent expeditions cast doubt on Maestri’s claims as they failed to find evidence of pitons or fixes on his route.

5.     Monte FitzRoy

Named for Robert FitzRoy, who was captain of the ship Beagle during Charles Darwin’s voyage to South America, this peak rises 11,073 feet along the border of Argentina and Chile. It is one of the most visually striking summits in Patagonia owing to the smoke-like cloud cover forming near the summit. This makes Mount FitzRoy popular with photographers; it is considered one of the most photographed mountains in the world. Like other ascents in Patagonia Mount FitzRoy is not known for its height. Rather, it is the sheer granite cliff walls of FitzRoy that give it a fearsome reputation as a technical and painstaking climb.

6.     Aconcagua

Mount Aconcagua is the highest peak in South America, rising near 23000 feet at the southern extreme of the Andes. There are dozens of approaches to the top. Some, such as the Polish glacier route offer more of a technical challenge and longer ascent times. The “normal route” is a good option for the beginner adventure climber looking for a high altitude climb that allows a climber to learn how to acclimatize without worrying about technical climbing.

7.     Valle Encantado

Lying to the northeast of Bariloche, the “Enchanted Valley” presents a breathtaking landscape perfect for trekking. Valle Encantado also features a variety of adventure climbing locations of varying difficulty levels. The Limay River that runs through the valley is popular for canoeing.

8.     Domuyo Volcano

Domuyo rises 12000 feet into the air in the province of Neuquen in western Argentina. The name Domuyo comes the native Mapuche word for “to tremble and grumble” no doubt referring to the geothermal activity of the area. While Domuyo is considered inert there is still some geothermal activity in Domuyo in the form of hot springs that are popular with adventurers at the end of a long days’ climb up this challenging peak.

9.     Cerro Tronador

The name of this peak means “The Thunderer” in Spanish, referring to the sounds of the glaciers snapping and popping that echo against the cliff walls. Located near Bariloche, Argentina’s Tronador valley is great for hiking year round, but is best for climbing between December and March. Increasingly intense melting and retreat of glaciers has destabilized several approaches to Tronador on the Argentine side. This fact together with the technical aspects of this ascent means that Tronador’s ascents are best for intermediate to advanced climbers.

10.    Lanin Volcano

Lying on the border between Chile and Argentina, at 12293 feet Lanin is impossible to miss on the horizon as it is 3000 feet taller than any nearby mountain. Lanin’s ice-capped peak appears on the flag of the province of Neunquen and is a symbol of local pride. The top of the now dormant volcano is snow covered all year. The easiest access to the mountain on the Argentine side is by way of the town Junin de los Andes.