Juan Araya

    Juan Araya

    Guide: International

    Juan has spent the last 20 years working as a professional mountain guide. Today, he is one of the most respected guides leading Aconcagua climbs, with more than 45 summits! He is well-known in the local climbing community for his undeniable professional skills and outstanding climbing resume. Additionally, he is a highly regarded teacher (lecturing at the famed Provincial Mountain School) with a unique capacity to pass on his broad knowledge, and has helped develop some of the best guides in Argentina over the last 25 years. Juan has worked and trained in the Pacific Northwest as well as climbed Denali with our Alpine Ascents Senior Staff. Outside his mountain activities, he also works in tourism, organizing outdoor activities all around the province for companies and local leaders. In his limited free time, he is fully dedicated to educating his children in all things mountains and mountaineering.

    Take 5 with the Guide

    If you could only take one album on an expedition?
    Ten – Pearl Jam

    Favorite movie?
    Pulp Fiction – Quentin Tarantino

    Most beloved book?
    Starlight and Storm – Gaston Rébuffat

    Dream climbing partner for your dream climb?
    Erhard Loretan for the South Face of Aconcagua

    In another life, I’d…
    be a fighter jet pilot

    Guide For:

    Aconcagua

    Significant Ascents

    Aconcagua, 45 summits on the Normal, Polish and Polish traverse routes
    Denali
    Mercedario (6770 m). San Juan, Argentina.
    Chopicalqui (6380 m) Cordillera Blanca, Perú.
    Chimborazo (6310 m) Riobamba, Ecuador.
    Tocllaraju (6032 m) Cordillera Blanca, Perú.
    Cotopaxi (5867 m) Latacunga, Ecuador.
    Ishinca (5534 m) Cordillera Blanca, Perú.
    Pisco (5497 m) Cordillera Blanca, Perú.
    Cerro Cuerno (5450). Parque Provincial Aconcagua, Mendoza, Argentina.
    Urus Este (5420 m) Cordillera Blanca, Perú
    More than two dozen climbs by different routes in the Central Andes with peaks over 6000, 5000 and 4000 meters in Cordon del Plata such as Plata, Rincón, Vallecitos, Franke, Cerro del Medio, San Bernardo and Lomas Blancas.

    Certifications

    Wilderness First Responder/CPR
    Leave No Trace Trainer

    The expedition was awesome. We were successful, the weather was awesome, and everything went smoothly. We were the best team on the mountain

    Aconcagua BLOG

    • 2022 Aconcagua Webinar

      If your 2022 winter plans include climbing the Stone Sentinel, check out the webinar we hosted on October 4th.  Lead Aconcagua Guide, Rachel Molstad, outlined both climbing routes and what to expect on the expedition.   Our Gear Manager, Ciara Sampaio, walked us through gear considerations along with helpful information on porters, money, and pre-trip logistics.  […]

    • Is My Training Working?

      Is my training working? Whether explicitly spoken or implied, this is the question many climbers ask of themselves, their friends, and perhaps their guides. At Alpine Ascents, we hear this question weekly. While the best answer to this question requires a comprehensive understanding of you and your objective, there are simpler ways to get a […]

    • Not on the Gear List, But in our Backpacks

      Off-List Must-Haves Gear lists are honed utilitarian tools for packing for a trip. Our gear lists represent years of carefully considering only and exactly what is needed for a given climb. You might wonder: are there things worth bringing into the mountains, not on our gear lists? Absolutely! Loaded Smartphone (the Electronic Multi-Tool) A smartphone […]

    Partners & Accreditations

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