Biberach mountaineer conquers Aconcagua despite hellish pain!

Biberach mountaineer conquers Aconcagua despite hellish pain!

22-year-old David Groß from Biberach took on an impressive challenge: He climbed Aconcagua, the highest mountain in South America at an impressive 6,962 meters. This expedition, organized by the DAV Summit Club, lasted three weeks and posed an enormous physical and mental test for him and his team. Despite only having a five percent chance of summit success, David and his companions managed to reach the summit on December 8th, braving difficult conditions. Reported about it Swabian.

What made the expedition so challenging? The team battled freezing temperatures, fierce winds and unpredictable weather during their time in the Andes. David suffered from altitude sickness during the climb and the symptoms became increasingly severe. This means that climbers who climb too quickly or feel overwhelmed may experience symptoms such as headaches, nausea and dizziness. From an altitude of 2,000 meters, the risk of altitude sickness should not be underestimated ADAC confirmed.

Perseverance and maximum concentration

David reported that he had to vomit six times during the climb to the summit and still tried to keep going. Such stamina often comes at the expense of physical health, especially since the symptoms of altitude sickness can make a summit attempt significantly more difficult after a very short time. According to the DAV Summit Club, these symptoms usually appear after 36 hours at the same altitude and disappear after the fifth day, but this does not guarantee that the symptoms will continue when climbing again.

The team spent several nights at 6,000 meters, which is viewed as critical because staying at this altitude for too long can promote altitude sickness. Even the turnaround time, which was originally scheduled for 2 p.m., was exceeded, but fortunately the weather remained exceptionally good on summit day. Here, too, acute altitude sickness has its price: serious forms such as high-altitude pulmonary edema (HAPE) or high-altitude cerebral edema (HACE) can occur at high altitudes, and if suspected, you must descend immediately, as it can quickly develop into a critical situation like this DAV Summit Club explained.

The way back and a new vision

After a strenuous descent that lasted into the night, the team returned to camp around 10 p.m. David was provided with an emergency oxygen tank by a team doctor, which helped him make the descent. Despite all adversities, David Groß is already planning his next mountain tour: the next day he wanted to go back into the mountains with his father. His declared goal is to one day climb an eight-thousander. Alternatively, he is also considering a seven-thousander.

Those interested can hear his experiences at Aconcagua on April 21, 2026 at the DAV section evening in Biberach. An impressive example of human will and adventure that should inspire readers to pursue their own dreams - even if the path there can be rocky and challenging.