Bolivia’s Andes Mountaineering Course
Bolivia’s Andes Mountaineering Course
Learn the most important aspects of climbing and mountaineering in Bolivia. During this 6 Days course you will learn what is to consider when moving at high altitude in this country.
6-Day mountaineering course
From US $ 1,300.00 p.p
This course is a condense but very comprehensive introduction to mountaineering skills on a fantastic scenery: The Condoriri massif in the Cordillera Real, a glaciated branch of the Andes Range in Bolivia.
The Condoriri mountain is a large massif consisting of 13 different peaks, some easier than other but in general demanding technical mountaineering knowledge and skills. The tallest peak in the massif is Cabeza del Condor (5.648m/18.530ft), which is also known as the Matterhorn of Bolivia.
The focus of this program is to teach you up-to-date mountaineering techniques that will help you to prepare and be ready for other ascent in the Andes.
The course goes through basic to advanced techniques and skills development on snow and ice, finishing with the ascent of Pequeño Alpamayo (5.370m/17,618ft).
The program may be changed to accommodate weather and climbing conditions as well the ability/fitness of participants. Also note that conditions change depending on the season, so sometimes it may be difficult to find ice as the glaciers are still covered with snow, but later, however, it can be hard to find snow as it has largely melted. Thus, we cannot guarantee that you will spend equal time on snow and ice, but we will work hard to give you as much exposure as possible.
SEASON March to November
DURATION 6 days. Starts and ends in La Paz in
PARTICIPANTS Small groups program for 1 to 4 guests
RATES
1 person $ 2,970.00 US
2 people $ 1,780.00 US each
3 to 4 people $ 1,300,00 US each
Course tentative curriculum
Proper packing and gear selection
Foot, blister, and self-care
High altitude camping tricks
Walking and progression on snow
Ice technique and proper crampons use
Ice axe use
Self-arrests
Knots (figure 8, prussik, clove hitch)
Stacking and coiling the rope
Harnesses
Roping up for glacier travel
Glacier’s morphology and travel
Snow anchors and protection
Ice screws placement and use
Abalakov’s building and use
Mix terrain techniques
Ice anchors and protection
Stopping a fall
Anchoring a loaded rope
Crevasse rescue (basic system)
Difficulty: Moderate
You will need moderate fitness and basic trekking skills. No previous experience in mountaineering is required. The focus is on the learning and practice of new skills, more than long exploration days.
Highlights
Visit of the Condoriri glaciated massif a unique area of Bolivia’s Cordillera Real.
Program lead by an expert, English speaking, UIAGM/IFMGA professional mountain guide – instructor.
Learn new techniques, develop skills, refine your knowledge on rock, snow, and ice
Program includes an outstanding mix of mountaineering climbing and glacier travel
Enjoy a flexible, adaptative learning program, to accommodate student level, background, and goals.
Enjoy a luxury base Camp in one of the varied Cordillera Real valleys at the foot of Condoriri massif.
Fantastic views of Bolivia’s geography and how does connect with the millennial Andean culture.
Impressive views of other mountains such as Huayna Potosi including its great west face.
Program
Day 1:Let’s get ready
The day before departure date, you will have a meeting with your guide to ensure to check gear, rent some if needed to ensure you have all what is required to succeed, this will be also the time to sign the waiver and finish any other trip related matter, so on departure date we are not only ready but also focus on the program. The proposed time for the meeting is 3pm but the exact time may vary depending on the group needs. The meeting will be either at your hotel or our office in La Paz. Depending on your itinerary and arrival time to La Paz, our office will contact you with the specific details.Lodging:Not included
Meals: Not included
Day 2:LA PAZ (3.600m/11,811ft) - CONDORIRI BASE CAMP (4.700m/15,420ft)
We will pick you up from your hotel by 9am, to begin our route to base camp, which began by driving through El Alto from where we follow Ruta Nacional 2 to the village of Palcoco, having all along the way great views of the Cordillera Real. This is about 2, 1/2 hours’ drive. At Palcoco we drive for another 30 minutes on a dirt route that heads up towards Lago Tuni (4.400m/14,436ft). Lago Tuni sits at the entrance of the main valley heading to the Condoriri group, and its where we will meet our transport support team. Meanwhile lamas and mules are loaded up with our equipment, gear, and food, we take a minute to review basic tips and trick to have a great hike to base camp. On route, if we have time and energies, we could hike up to the summit of Austria peak (5.300m/17,388ft), which beside the experience and views, will help us with the acclimatization process. This hike is a great opportunity to continue with our acclimatization process. The approach to camp is roughly an hour or two, depending on how much photos and stops to talk about the place we do. It’s a great time to learn more about the geography and geology of these mountains. Once at the base camp we proceed to settle in and enjoy a personal time to discover the surrounding areas before a brief planning meeting followed by a good dinner.Lodging: Base Camp
Meals: Box-Lunch and Dinner
Day 3 and 4:CONDORIRI BASE CAMP – EAST LOWER GLACIAR
Both days we begin with an early breakfast, follow by a short approach walk towards either the Condoriri Lower East Glacier or some of the surrounding snow cover slopes, where we will spend the day learning, and practising diverse varied mountaineering skills, As mentioned, the specific flow and timing for the delivering of the course curriculum are variable to adapt to the condition, as well your experiences, goals, and progression.Lodging:Base Camp
Meals: Breakfast, Box-Lunch, Dinner
Day 5:CONDORIRI BASE CAMP - PEQUEÑO ALPAMAYO (5.370m/17,618ft)
Today we will practice what we have being learning during the past 2 days. The plan is to have an early departure towards Mt Tarija (5.200m/17,060ft), via its normal route, which is mostly simple glacier travel with some mix terrain, just below the summit proper. Once on the top of Tarija, we need to drop down a little way on the opposite side of the mountain to reach the west summit ridge of Pequeño Alpamayo. This last ridge is a short, steep glaciated line that will take us directly to the summit. At the summit we will enjoy a 360° view of the Cordillera Real and some its most iconic peaks, such as Huayna Potosi (6.088m/19,973ft) to the south with Illimani (6.462m/21,200ft) & Mururata (5.868m/19,251ft) behind and further southwest Nevado Sajama (6.549m/21,486ft), the tallest peak in the country. Then to the west Condoriri (5.648m/18,530ft) and to the North Illampu (6.368m/20,892ft) and Ancohuma (6.427m/21,085ft) further far behind. We descent via the same route to our base camp, for a 7 to 12 hours climbing day. It’s also possible to opt for a more technical climb, as well if you feel confident enough for you to lead the ascent. The final decision will we made with your guide, and it will also depend on the weather forecast, as well the conditions on the glacier and the steeper faces of the mountain.Lodging:Base Camp
Meals: Breakfast, Box-Lunch, Dinner
Day 6:CONDORIRI – LAGO TUNI - LA PAZ
After a more relax breakfast, we pack up camp. Lamas and mules will be there to bring down all the gear. From the camp site we hike back the same trail of day 1, back to Lago Tuni, where we will meet our transport that I about 3 hours’ drive will take us back to La Paz. At La Paz you will be drop at your hotel and we will be the end of the program.Lodging:
Meals: Breakfast, Box-Lunch