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Polish Glacier

Also known as: Glaciar de los Polacos · Aconcagua East Ice Face

Length2.5 km
Surface Area3.8 km²
Region: 🇦🇷 Mendoza Province / Principal Cordillera
Coordinates: 32°39′00″ S, 70°00′18″ W
RGI 7.0 ID: RGI70-16.02104
GLIMS ID: G289995E32650S
Glacier Morphology
High-Altitude Hanging Flank Glacier
Elevation Span
5800m – 6700m
RGI Inventory Baseline
2000-02-15
Latest Sentinel Observation
2024-01-20

Glaciological Setting & Morphology

Draping the eastern flank of Mount Aconcagua between 5,800 and 6,700 metres, the Polish Glacier was famously pioneered in 1934 by a Polish expedition. It represents one of the highest true hanging ice glaciers in the Western Hemisphere.

Documented Environmental & Terminus Trends

Substantial retreat and thinning of the lower traverse tongue, resulting in exposed scree bands on historical direct ascent routes.

Scientific Observations & Flow Dynamics

High-altitude sublimation and arid Andean radiation regimes drive mass loss on the Polish Glacier, with severe snow penitentes (nieves penitentes) forming across its lower fields during summer ablation windows.

Surrounding Mountain Summits (1)

The snow-capped summit of Mount Aconcagua rising majestically in the Argentine Andes.
🚩 2 Expeditions
6,961 m
Argentina FlagAR
First Ascent: 1897-01-14🧗 1 Route

Aconcagua

Aconcagua is the highest mountain in the Americas and the highest peak outside Asia, rising to 6,961 metres in Argentina's Andes. Celebrated as the second most topographically prominent mountain on Earth, it features colossal glaciated faces, intense high-altitude gales, and historic routes including the Polish Glacier.

Explore Peak & Routes

Glacier Approach & Climbing Routes (1)

Polish Glacier (Aconcagua) climbing route
🧗High-Altitude Glacial Face and Technical Snow/Ice Climb
Andean D, Ice 50°-65°, Altitude Extreme (6,961 m)
+2,700 m

Polish Glacier (Aconcagua)

The Polish Glacier is the premier technical mountaineering route on Mount Aconcagua, ascending the steep eastern glaciated face over 1,000 vertical metres. Graded French D with sustained 50° to 65° slopes of hard alpine ice, it provides a dramatic, highly aesthetic alternative to the standard trekking route.

Difficulty: Grade D (Difficile) / Steep Ice (50°-65°)
Prime Window: December to February (Southern Hemisphere Summer)
View Detailed Topography

Documented Sources & Archival Citations

  • Glaciological study of the northeast face of Cerro Aconcagua(Andean Geology)

    Supporting claim: Sublimation rates and retreat of the Polish Glacier tongue

    Accessed/Documented: 2026