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CENTRAL ANDES ALPINE CLIMBS
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DATES OF TRIP 2008-2009:
November 1-10, 2008
November 8-17, 2008
November 15-24, 2008
November 29 - December 8, 2008
December 6-15, 2008
December 20-29, 2008
January 3-12, 2009
January 10-19, 2009
January 17-26, 2009
January 31 - February 9, 2009
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CENTRAL ANDES ALPINE CLIMBS
LA PALOMA, EL ALTAR, EL PLOMO
| Itinerary Below
| Schedule & Rates
Hiking to El Plomo
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One of our favorite trips is our Central Andes Alpine Climbs, a fun, shorter duration 10-day trip on which we climb three classic high altitude peaks in the heart of the Chilean Central Andes.
This trip is perfect for those who want to gain mountaineering skills and high altitude experience, prefer a shorter trip, or just wish to acclimatize to the Andes. Beginners and experienced climbers alike will enjoy these climbs. Each peak has an easy/moderate route on easy snow, and a challenging technical variation, to the summit.
Mules will carry our gear to each Base Camp, and to High Camp on El Plomo. We will carry our own loads to High Camp on La Paloma, but will be able to climb with a daypack on the rest of all 3 peaks.
A spectacular view of
the Chilean Central Andes
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We begin our trip by climbing La Paloma (16,269') and El Altar (17,610), two fantastic peaks only a day away from the city of Santiago. At the base, we will be in the presence of magnificent hanging glaciers, surrounding glacial peaks, and the technical South Face of El Altar.
After 4 days of climbing we will return to Santiago to rest and recover, departing again the next morning for our 3rd and final objective, El Plomo, (18,018'). El Plomo is to Santiago what Mt Rainier is to Seattle, a symbol which rises an impressive 17,000' over the city. Surrounded by glaciers, El Plomo is the most attractive peak in the Central Andes close to Santiago.
We begin with a short hike to Piedra Numerada, where mules carry our gear. Then we move to our High Camp at 13,800' at the base of El Plomo's hanging glacier. This glacier offers both a fantastic 12-pitch route on moderate ice, as well as an easy trail to the right, the "Normal Route". On the way to the summit we will see an ancient mummy sanctuary built by the Incas centuries ago. From the summit is one of the most magnificent views of the Chilean Central Andes, encompassed by 20,000' peaks, including Aconcagua, Juncal, Tupungato, and many more.
Central Andes Alpine Climbs Itinerary
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DAY 1: |
Group meets in Santiago. Equipment check and afternoon briefing at
the hotel. For dinner we will have a chance to taste fine Chilean
cuisine and wine. |
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DAY 2: |
Drive east from Santiago towards Farellones. We stop at Villa Paulina,
(about 5,000') where we will start walking. Mules will carry most of
our gear. After a full day following the Yerba Loca Valley we arrive
to our base camp at 9,900'. Spectacular views of two of our main objectives;
La Paloma and El Altar. |
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DAY 3: | Move to Camp 1. Several options are possible depending on the route
we choose. Most likely we will climb a steep glacier on La Paloma's West
Face, challenging snow and ice climbing. If conditions are not good we
will climb the standard route on the northwest flank of the mountain. |
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DAY 4: | Summit day of La Paloma and El Altar. It will be a long day. After
reaching the col between both peaks, at about 16,000', we climb up to
El Altar's summit via the exposed north ridge, down to the col, and up
again to La Paloma's summit, a short summit push from the col. Descent
to Camp 1. |
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DAY 5: | Descend to Villa Paulina and drive to Farellones ski resort at 7,260'.
Stay at mountain lodge. Shower and dinner. |
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DAY 6: | Our next objective is to climb El Plomo, a Central Andes giant of 18,000'.
Walk to Piedra Numerada. Mules again take our gear. |
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DAY 7: | Hike to La Hoya, at the base of El Plomo. Impressive views of the Hiver
Glacier. The Hiver will ideally be our line but it will depend on conditions
and group strength. This is an impressive and technical ice route. Moderate
snow route alternatives lie to the right of the Hiver. |
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DAY 8: | Summit day! After reaching the summit the descent is quickly made down
the normal route to our camp. |
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DAY 9: | Descend to Farellones, and possibly all the way to Santiago. Celebration
dinner. |
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DAY 10: | Fly back home or continue traveling in South America. |
This itinerary is intended to be a guideline only, weather days and rest days
are always a possibility while on a climbing trip.
COST INCLUDES
Professional Mountain Guides, two nights hotel accommodation in Santiago (four star), one night lodge accommodation in Farellones, all land transportation, mules, all food while in the mountains (including Farellones), all community gear (tents, stoves, cooking gear, ropes, ice screws, pickets, medical kit, etc.)
YOU ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR
Flights to Santiago, meals in Santiago, personal equipment, passport, personal items and services (laundry, drinks, tips, etc.), and expenses incurred in the event of a rescue.
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