Competitors will navigate with map and compass the harsh, but majestic, windswept terrain of the Andes Mountains utilizing crampons and ice axes on the glaciers. Dense forests will hinder progress in the lowlands as teams make their mountain approach. Teams will ascend to the highest point on the course, a 12,000-foot, ice-capped mountain peak that offers a breathtaking view. Total elevation gain is 26,240ft/8,000m with individual gains up to 8,200ft/2,500 meters in one push. The incline of the terrain ascended varies between 30 and 80 degrees of rock, ice and snow.

There are several major glaciers to cross with inclines of five to 37 degrees. Terrain and weather conditions are common to those found in the French, Swiss and Italian Alps, the New Zealand Alps, Western Canada and North Western United States and Alaska. Neccesary skills include navigation, cold and wet weather preparedness, survival skills, ice axe self arrest, crampon use, avalanche safety and survival, glacier travel, crevasse rescue and fixed rope ascending, traversing and rappeling.

Along the mountain route, teams will use fixed ropes to overcome natural obstacles by rappelling sheer rock faces and large waterfalls and will ascend majestic granite spires, which tower over the mountain terrain that is the backbone of South America. Rapel lengths can be up to 328ft/100m of rock, ice or snow with inclines varying between 45 and 120 degrees. There is at least one free overhanging rappel of 164 feet/50 meters.