Up One Side and Down the Other (Paperback)

Aconcagua - The highest mountain in the world outside the Himalayan and Karakoram ranges. This is the story of one typical expedition from a fairly average climber who was successful. It also serves as a typical description of what such expeditions are like for those aspiring to climb the seven summits or other high peaks with guided groups.

Jeff Arle, MD, PhD is a neurosurgeon and sometime hiker who has also climbed Mt. Rainier, Mt. Elbrus, Denali, Kilimanjaro, and occasionally goes for a day hike in the white mountains of New Hampshire. While taking on some of the higher mountains in the world, including several of the so-called 'seven summits', he has little time to train and is happily married with three small children at home. Despite these potential limitations, he tells the story of one such experience climbing Aconcagua showing that, while not easy, these expeditions are both accessible and rewarding.