A professional mountain runner from Colorado has smashed the women’s speed record on South America’s highest peak. Erin Ton, 27, completed the round trip from Plaza de Mulas Base Camp to the summit of Aconcagua and back in 6 hours and 33 minutes.
Ton eclipsed the previous women’s mark for that route, held by Slovakian climber Lenka Polackova since January 2025. Polackova’s time was 6 hours and 19 minutes for the ascent, and 8 hours and 17 minutes for the round trip.
Photo: Erin Ton
Two days ago, Ton started at 6:30 am from 4,350m Plaza de Mulas and summited 6,961m Aconcagua in 4 hours and 50 minutes. She then hurried down to complete the full out-and-back route.
Ton says she will rest for a couple of days. Then, if she is feeling strong and the weather is good, she will attempt the longer traverse from the Horcones trailhead — the park entrance and beginning of the classic Aconcagua route.
A happy Erin Ton points to Aconcagua. Photo: Erin Ton/Instagram
