Huayna Potosí 6088 m 3d/2n

OVERVIEW

When ever you decide to climb a 6000 or go above 3500m you must have a period of acclimatization on you. You must stay for at least 3-6 days above 3000m.  It is the most important thing for when you plan to cross the 5000m barrier. Besides you have to drink at least 2 lt of water per day.

However, many persons feel encouraged by other travellers or tour operators that say Huayna Potosí is an easy mountain. That is bullsh..

Huayna Potosí is one of the most accessible six thousands we have near La Paz, that does not mean it is easy. Nevertheless, it is true that it is easier than other mountains. Believe us it is going to be tough. Maybe the toughest thing you will have ever done in your life.

Its proximity makes it affordable and it is not a 100 % technical mountain, but there are a couple of sections that will be absolutely demanding, that is why it can be  suited for non-experienced climbers too.

It will be very important that your digestion system be in good conditions.

EQUIPMENT?

You don’t have to worry about equipment!!! You can even come wearing shorts and t-shirts. We will dress you up. We will provide all the technical equipment, high mountain clothing, camping gear + guide, assistant, meals and transportation.

PROGRAMME

1^st day .-

08:00 a.m. Meeting time at our office in La Paz.

10:00 a.m. We’ll arrive at the base of Huayna Potosí-4720m. The refuge has dorms and we recommend you to have a nap before and after lunch.

03:00 p.m. After lunch, we will start walking up to the old glacier. 45-60 min. where we will get all the training we need on ice climbing. 2-3 hours (depending on your resistance) climbing different walls, (15,20,30 m high) for us to get used to ice climbing.

2^nd day .-

09:00 p.m. We will start walking up to high camp-5200m. 2 ½  hours  using our normal trekking boots. We will stay at a refuge exactly at the point where ice begins. The refuge is a big domed house with lots of mattresses so do not expect private rooms.

 Afternoon to take it easy. We recommend y to sleep or just rest because you will need to save energies for the final ascent.

05 :30 p.m. Early dinner. You  will have an early dinner because on the next day the guide will wake you up at 1 in the morning to start the final ascent. Waking up time depends on your pace from base camp to high camp. If you were very slow the guide might wake you up even at 22:00 on the second night to start climbing up.

3^rd day .-

01:00 a.m. The guide will wake you up to start walking up to the summit. Now you will be wearing plastic boots, crampons and harnesses. The guide will go ahead and the climbers will be roped to him. After 45 min of slow walk we will get to the first difficulty, a wall 50 mts high which will be climbed in even 1 hour, that will be probably the hardest part.  Note that we will take three times more than the time the guide normally would use to climb it if he did it alone.

06:00 a.m. If the pace of the group was good we would be getting to the top around 6, it will  be just a few minutes to stay at the top to take pictures and congratulate the participants.

06:00-07:00 We will start our way down. We will do some rappel if needed to go down the walls and we will get to high camp around 10:30. We will rest for a while until lunch is ready.

12:00 – 14:00 p.m. After lunch, drive back to La Paz.   03:30 p.m. Arrive in your Hotel. 

*Times for departures, meals and activities may vary as they depend on different factors. The guide will tell the group every morning about the day programme.

DEPARTURES:

With 2 days notice.

GROUP SIZE:

18 people max.  01 min. per group.(1 guide every 2 people)

INCLUDING:

2 nights accommodation in basic refuge, camping mattress, sleeping bag, Plastic boots, crampons, harnesses, ice axes, head lamp, jacket, trousers, gloves, balaclava, fleece, underpants, private transport La Paz – base camp – La Paz, meals 2 B- 3L- 2D, 1 certified guide every 2 people.

NOT INCLUDED

*Walking sticks, sun glasses, water, *water bottle, drinks, cigarettes, snacks, entrance fee-50 Bs, tips..

IMPORTANT NOTE

If your group is of only 2 climbers, both will go with only one guide. In the event one of the climbers gets ill and cannot continue, the expedition will be called off in order to go back to a lower altitude with the ill person. Therefore, we recommend that, if you feel enough confident to do it and want to make sure you will get to the top, please, make sure you go on a bigger group or ask us to arrange and extra guide for 70 usd additional, which will not be refundable if none of the participants gets ill.

AVAILABLE: 

Our guides speak only Spanish, English Speaking interpreter is available for 130 usd to be paid by the whole group, not per person)

PORTERS, MULES, DONKEYS?

No porters, mules or donkeys available.

COOK?

Our guide is the cook at the same time

LUGGAGE ?

You must bring only what is needed for the Tour 

Adequate Climbing insurance is essential. If you don’t have one, you can purchase a “SHORT TERM INSURANCE FROM OUR COMPANY”