Lenka Polackova Sets New Women’s Speed Record on Aconcagua

Slovak mountaineer and endurance athlete Lenka Polackova has made history by setting a new women’s Fastest Known Time (FKT) on Aconcagua, the highest peak in South America. On January 27, 2025, she completed the grueling ascent from Plaza de Mulas Base Camp (4,350m) to the 6,961m summit in just 6 hours, 19 minutes, and 23 seconds, smashing the previous record by over an hour.

The previous women’s FKT from Base Camp to summit was set by Rachel Boim in February 2023, with a time of 7 hours, 58 minutes, and 34 seconds. Despite snowy conditions on trail, Polackova’s climb shaved over an hour off that record, cementing her status as one of the fastest female mountaineers in history.

She tracked her climb using a Suunto watch, which confirmed her round-trip time of 8 hours, 17 minutes, and 34 seconds (Base Camp to summit and back). Berg verified her record with ExplorersWeb. 

Polackova is no stranger to high-altitude achievements. In 2023, she became the first Slovak woman to summit Mount Everest without supplementary oxygen, a feat that only ten women worldwide have accomplished. Everest was her first 8,000m peak, showcasing her rapid ascent in the world of elite mountaineering.

Beyond her mountaineering feats, Polackova is an actress and television host, specializing in trail and long-distance mountain running. Her experience as an endurance athlete played a crucial role in her Aconcagua speed climb.

Lenka Polackova with husband Jan Polacek, left, and Felix Berg of Summitclimb. Photo: Lenka Polackova/Facebook

Following her Aconcagua record, Polackova is expected to continue pushing boundaries in mountaineering and endurance sports. Whether it’s tackling new FKTs, returning to the Himalayas, or conquering more of the Seven Summits, her achievements are sure to inspire climbers worldwide.

Stay tuned for more updates on her future expeditions and groundbreaking records in the world of extreme endurance and mountaineering.