The Aconcagua: Summit of South America by Harry Kikstra (Spiral bound, 2005) is about the seven continental summits. Aconcagua (at 6962 m/22,840 ft) lies second only to Everest. Yet it is surprisingly free of snow and ice, and experienced hikers can reach the roof of the Americas without technical expertise. However, it is one of the world's highest and toughest treks.

This pocket-sized book weighs only 112 g (4 oz), yet it contains all you need to plan and enjoy your summit attempt: concise advice from an expert about preparation, planning and choosing your gear detailed information about altitude effects and sickness, and how to monitor and prevent them fold-out map showing the routes, also enlargement of summit area 96 waterproof pages with open-flat binding in full colour, with 60 photographs.

The author has summited twice and explains in detail how to tackle the main trekking routes (Normal and Polish Traverse), as well as giving a useful summary on the technical Polish Glacier route.

About the Author:

Born in 1970 in the Netherlands, Harry Kikstra lives in Amsterdam. Since gaining a Master's degree in business management, he has combined commercial work with an adventurous life that takes him all over the world. He has been a full-time adventurer, organiser and leader of expeditions since 1999. He loves to travel and enjoys climbing and photographing mountains everywhere. He has summited Aconcagua twice, in 2000 and 2004, by both the trekking routes described in this book. In June 2005, Harry summited Mt Everest, and in January 2006, Mt Vinson, thus completing his own round of the seven continental summits.