INTERNATIONAL TRIPS 2011 — 2012

Bolivia

Cordillera Real Trilogy

Pequeno Alpamayo (17,482 ft), Condorirri (18,201 ft), Huayno Potosi (19,974 ft)

Rising distinctly above the Altiplano and the city of La Paz, Bolivia's Royal mountains offer more than 1,000 summits above 5,000 meters. Within their midst there are countless challenges and rewards for every level of climber. Futhermore, the Real has the best mountain weather of any mountain range allowing us to spend our entire time immersed in its beauty. We spend our time trekking from basecamp to basecamp from where we set off to climb each of our three objectives.

Description

We begin by meeting at 12,500 feet in La Paz, a city surrounded by mountains and entrenched in centuries-old Amaran civilization. After a few days acclimatizing by going on hiking and sight-seeing trips in the area we depart for Condoriri base camp at just over 15,000 feet. We spend a day reviewing ice climbing skills and then put these skills to use on an ascent of Pequeno Alpamayo (17, 482'). After a day of rest we leave this valley and trek overland to the Condoriri Valley where we will ascend the more technical and longer North ridge of Condoriri. From here we leave and trek over high alpine passes which provide us with beautiful breath-taking views of the entire Real range. A couple of rest days later, we leave Huayno Potosi base camp and ascend to high camp at 18,000 where we spend a night before our summit attempt. Leaving early in the pre-dawn hours we continue up moderate glacier climbing and upwards on 55 degree snow and ice to gain the summit ridge. It's a quick ascent along this ridge until we stand on top of the summit at 19, 974 feet. From here it's a quick descent to our high camp where we pack up and continue our journay back to base camp, our jeeps and into La Paz where after we shower and clean-up a celebratory dinner awaits us.

We like this trip above all others for its simplicity and the fact that we spend most of the 15 days trekking and climbing in the mountains without ever leaving to return to La Paz. Over the years we have found that this strategy allows for more complete and enjoyable acclimatization giving our clients their best chance to summit all three peaks and also remain healthy by eating meals prepared by our camp staff. We stay in comfortable tent camps trekking from valley to valley until we summit our final mountain and return to La Paz for our victory celebration.

Length

15 days

Ratio

3 clients, 1 guide.

Prerequisites

Strong climbing skills.
Previous experience climbing AI4 or WI4.

Price

1:1 ratio $4,500 per person
2:1 ratio $3,000 per person
3:1 ratio $2,500 per person