INTERNATIONAL TRIPS 2011 — 2012
Peru
Artesonraju Adventure
Artesanraju (19,767 feet) is a most spectacular and magnificent mountain. Very few peaks in the Cordillera Blanca surpass this peak for beauty. Located at the head of the beautiful Paron Valley, Artesanraju rises above the other granite rock walls and other alpine peaks like the lower but more difficult Piramide and Nevado Paron.
Description
The Artesanraju climb includes sustained front-pointing on 50-55 degree snow and ice for several thousand feet all above 17,000 feet. The climb can easily take up to 20 hours round-trip from basecamp. Success comes from high altitude fitness, strong intermediate climbing skills and smart pacing. Before we attempt this climb we spend at least a week climbng on lower less technical peaks and getting acclimatized for our climb. Full porter support is utilized for the short trek into basecamp and we have a full time camp cook and asst. cook for the duration of our time in the Paron Valley.
Length
13 days
Ratio
2 clients, 1 guide.
Prerequisites
Alpine and ice climbing up to AI4 or WI4.
Solid climbing skills and good physical fitness.
Price
$5,000 per person.
Cordillera Huayhuash Trek and Climbing Experience
The Cordillera Huayhuash is a range of compact but spectacular mountains in central Peru. It is a sub-region of the Cordillera Occidental, or the Western Range of the Andes. It contains six summits in excess of 6000m, the highest of which is Yerupaja (6617m), which is the second highest mountain in Peru and the highest point within the Amazon Basin.
Description
The Cordillera Huayhuash is home to some of the most spectacular trekking in South America. We begin our trip by spending one day in Huaraz (10,000feet) mountain biking and getting used to the high elevation. Throwing our bikes into the back of our 4wheel drive pickup we are taken to 15,000 feet where we begin our 4 hour descent through villages and on single tracks trails. Departing Huarez early the next day, we take the High Valley Trek which follows grassy valleys through Alpine passes for ten days. With substantial altitude gain, high altitude, and long distances to cover, it is best suited to trekkers who have some backpacking experience and are in good shape. Trekkers need only carry light days packs as we hike past beautiful lakes and over spectacular passes. The trek ends at our climbing basecamp where we spend five days climbing Ancocancha (5450m), Tsacra Chica (5240m), Tsacra Grande (5330m), and Diablo Muda (5350m). All of these peaks are smaller in scale and lower in altitude than other mountains in this region. We base out of this area because it is more remote and less popular than other climbing areas. These peaks have been chosen for their relatively easy access and climbability. Higher and better known peaks have been more affected by global warming than the ones we have chosen and hence the climbing conditions on the higher peaks are less reliable. Full porter and mule support is utilized for this trek and we have a full time camp cook and asst. cook for the duration of our time together. However, this is just not a basecamp for climbers. There are plenty of enjoyable day hikes from our camp so that non-climbers may also have their own memorable adventures.
Length
17 days
Ratio
3 clients, 1 guide
Prerequisites
For the trek you need some backpacking experience and good fitness. Ability to carry a 15lb pack all day. Some altitude experience is helpful but not necessary. For the climbing ice climbing skills up to WI3/4 and alpine skills up to A4. Some altitude experience is helpful but not necessary.
Price
$5,000 per person, three poeple minimum for this trip.