Bolivia Expedition Dispatch - Climbing Huayna Potosí and Parinacota
May 18 - 21, 2019 – Climb Huayna Potosí
The team left the noisy and effervescent La Paz (3,900m) with the Illimani at the bottom of the canvas to another landscape: Huyana Potosi 6,088m.
A hike and an ice-wall climbing training on the first day and the following day.
Today was the summit day at Huayna Potosi 6,100m - it was a tough climb, very steep- 6 hours of climbing up, 3 hours down, then another 1.5 hours back to base camp.
For Chris it was emotional as she managed to reach the summit, 9 months after she broke her neck attempting to climb the Matterhorn, leaving a future of climbing doubtful!
Micheline had to give up on her attempt at 5,400m due to some symptoms of high altitude sickness.
Now they are all back in La Paz resting and getting ready for their next adventure: Paranacota at an altitude of 20,826ft/6,348m situated on the border of Chile and Bolivia close to Sajama. A long drive is ahead of them!
Special thanks to Chris, Micheline and Berg Adventures guides for their photos.
Micheline, Chris and Berg Adventures guides; Osvaldo and Sergio, at Hotel Europa in La Paz; getting ready to leave to the Huayna Potosi climb.
Leaving La Paz with stunning views of Illimani on the background
Map of Huayna Potosi and their drive from La Paz
Drive to Huayna Potosi
View of Illimani along the way
Micheline at Huayna Potosi base camp
Huayna Potosi hut at base camp
Stunning views of their next goal: Huayna Potosi
Entrance to Huayna Potosi
Chris new friends
Huayna Potosi hut altitude
Hiking to Huayna Potosi high camp
Locals along the trail
Huayna Potosi Park registration entrance
Berg Adventures guide on the mountain
Chris on the trail
Micheline by the Huayna Potosi hut
Berg Adventures guide Osvaldo sending a dispatch to our office in Canada
Huayna Potosi Sunset
Ice climbing training for summit day
Huayna Potosi summit day – perfect weather
Chris on the summit day
Chris and Berg Adventures guide on the summit of Huayna Potosi
Chris climbing down from the summit
Chris back down after the success climb
Berg Adventures staff at base camp
Micheline looking strong now that she is back down at lower altitude