Juan Araya
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. 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
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
As with my other experiences with your company, this trip was fantastic. You run a tight ship over there. Your guide was amazing. With that said, rest assured the next trip I sign up for (Denali from the looks of it) I will be requesting a date with him specifically as the lead guide.
