The Swiss mountain climber Matthias Zurbriggen was first to reach the peak of Aconcagua in 1897 via what is known as the «normal route» today. Aconcagua or «Cerro Aconcagua» by full name, measures 6962m and is, thus, the highest peak in South America and on the entire American continent, as well as the highest mountain located outside of Asia. The name «Aconcagua» is assumedly of Indian origin; In Quechua, the language of the Inca, «Ackon Cahuak» means «Stony Sentinel» which indeed fits this stony giant of a mountain!