Trip Reports

Bolivian Climber - 6 to 27 July 2002

Dawn breaks on Huayna Potosi, Bolivia
Trip Report

Written by Leader, July 2002

With South East Peru being declared a state of emergency with 60 lives lost due to unseasonable snow storms, Bolivia has also suffered.

It was with the newspaper headlines “Hundreds of Llamas lost in Storms” that our first Bolivian Climber expedition, led by John Armstrong got underway.

Initially, the team enjoyed good weather in La Paz and during their acclimatisation phase in Copcabana but the Island of the Sun soon turned into the Island of the Snow!

The team proceeded as planned to Tuni and hence to Condoriri base camp where a “winter” ascent of Peak Austria was made. The next day an attempt was made on Pequeno Alpamayo, but the high point was Tarija (5,300m), the preliminary peak. This was mostly due to fatigue after the glacier ascent in deep snow.

As scheduled, the team moved to Huayna Potosi base camp, the road having just opened due to snow. However, snow overnight and a poor outlook forced the team back to La Paz for a two night break.

On Friday 19 July, the team returned to Condoriri base camp for another attempt on Pequeno Alpamayo, with 5 team members making it to the summit. They then returned to Huayna Potosi for the second time and this time, all of the team managed to make it to the top in perfect conditions. Whilst there was some disappointment at not being able to attempt Illimani, considering the amount of snowfall in the first part of the trip, the team were well pleased with their efforts.

John Armstrong, July 2002 « | »

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