November 11, 2010
After acclimatizing at “sea level” (Lake Titicaca = 13,400 ft/4100m) I headed to one of the main goals of the trip, Huayna Potosi (19,974 ft/6088m). It is a great looking mountain! I arrived at Base Camp and set up in the refugio for the night. A great dinner and good night sleep, we woke up and headed to the High Camp Refugio (16,730 ft/5100m). Plenty of time to settle in and rest before an early morning start. We woke up to a little snow and wind. What a great climb!
A little about the route: summit day starts off with glacier travel. A few steep rolls and into a gulley that resembles the Mount Whitney chute. At the top of the chute, a fantastic summit ridge. The day gave me a little snow and cloud cover but the summit ridge was unreal, with a 1000m drop-off down the west face. The summit was well worth it.
Returning to La Paz on the same day, today! I am looking forward to a good meal and great night sleep After some rest, I’m off to Illimani.
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- Sunset at Copacabana (Lake Titicaca). (Photo by Greg Vernovage)
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- Huayna Potosi from near Zongo Pass. (photo by Greg Vernovage)
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- Summit!
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- SPOT Track to the summit of Huayna Potosi.
Greg Vernovage