Huayna Potosi Climb

We drive from La Paz to Paso Zongo (4700m). Once at Paso Zongo we drop our gear off in the hut and have some lunch. After lunch, we walk to the lower glacier, at the lower glacier the guides will explain and show some basic techniques for ice climbing and mountaineering. We will have the chance to practice these techniques with the guides and our climbing equipment. Later in the day, we will practice ice climbing techniques on small ice walls with safety ropes in place. After we walk back to the base camp where we sleep in a Refugio.

Drive: 1 ½ hour drive

Walking time: 2 hours trekking

Accommodation: Refugio

Today we have a relatively easy day up to high camp. High camp is on a rock buttress at an altitude of 5200m and at the base of the glacier. The walk up in on a well used path on rock. Once at high camp, we need to get our gear ready for the next day, as we have an early start in the morning. We also have time to rest and rehydrate. It’s an early night tonight where we sleep in the Refugio.

Walking time: 2 - 4 hours trekking

Accommodation: Refugio

We have an early start in the morning. We will leave around 1 am in the morning. It will be cold so we want to dress well. The climb starts on the glacier, so will start with our crampons on, and the rest of our climbing gear. The climb mostly follows a trail on the glacier. We have 2 steep sections, one at around 5600m, called the Pala Chica. The trail goes through a snow and ice wall. Once through this part, we keep following the trail on the glacier up to 6000m. From this point, we can see the summit above as. The last section to the summit is great climbing on an exposed ridge. From the summit, we can see from Illimani (6439m) to Illampu (6368m). After we take our photo shot on top, we head back down the same way to high camp. Once back at high camp we have a short rest and pack our gear. We then head back down to base camp to meet our transport back to La Paz.

Walking time: 9 - 13 hours climbing

Drive: 1-hour drive