Trip Reports

Bolivian Climber - 24 July to 14 August 2004

Written by Leader Tania Noakes, August 2004

Bolivian Climber (24 July) proved to be even more successful than Bolivian Climber (3 July) with largely settled weather throughout the entire expedition. Once again enjoying the beautiful Condorirri base camp, this time graced by the soaring presence of a Condor sighted on several days weaving in and out of the peaks. This clearly inspired the team to achieve the summits of both Point Austria (5,300m) and Pequeno Alpamayo (5,400m) in good style and even better spirits. Our local guides organised a ceremony of thanks to Pachamama and the mountains traditionally held all over Bolivia in August. The good luck stayed with us throughout the expedition.

As we moved on Huyana Potosi Nick succumbed to a debilitating stomach upset and decided to return to La Paz and marshal his energy for the big push on Illimani a week later. The rest of the team surged forward and attained the summit of Huyana Potosi (6,088m) at 0730 after enjoying a very blustery and cold ascent and a spectacular and much anticipated sunrise.

Two nights of pampered luxury in La Paz recharged the batteries for our next objective, Illimani (6,462m). Another Condor was sighted swooping over our heads on the ascent to high camp...a sign of good luck!

Paul Banbury and Jonathan Brown made the decision on summit day that they would not attempt the summit due to accumulated tiredness from the other summit days. The remaining team members left high camp at 0230 and achieved the summit at 0815 after a fiercesomely cold ascent. They were treated to spectacular views over the Antiplano and La Paz. The team then descended to high camp to gain some much needed warmth and pack up ready for descent to base camp later the same day. Tragedy almost struck when one of the tents almost blew away. This proved to the entire team just how much weight Nick must have lost after his stomach bug since he was sat cross-legged in the tent at the time!

Everyone on the team retired to La Paz tired but happy and with some strong friendships formed. To all the team thank you for your good spirits and commitment and for making the expedition as successful and enjoyable a trip as any expedition leader could hope for. I know how hard you all worked and look forward to our paths crossing again in the future.

Tania Noakes, Expedition Leader « Previous report | Next report »

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