Trip Reports

Colombian Mountaineer 17 Dec '11- 2 Jan '12

Trekking through the El Cocuy National Park
Trip Report

Written by Leader Neal Short, January 2013

On the inaugural expedition in 2011, all eight team members completed the Sierra Nevada del Cocuy circuit exiting via the high dramatic pass of Bellavista (4800m) and a few days later, ascended Ritacuba Blanco (5400m) in perfect weather. We had a splendid time too, as the three team-member reports from Vicki, Thierry and Mark will show.

I found Colombia to be a wonderful country to visit. The itinerary that JG has put together, alongside their excellent in-country mountain man Juan-Carlos, is very rewarding. It encompasses the best that the El Cocuy massif can offer, from trekking through valleys with unique exuberant mountain flora and camping beside beautiful Laguna’s to climbing over high passes and just in case that wasn't enough, climbing the highest peak in the range as well! Plus culture with visits to excellent museums in Bogota and to the heritage town of Villa De Leyva. Also as this trip finished in Zipaquira we had a chance to visit the stunning Salt Cathedral.

To sum up; I’d agree with Thierry who mentions in his report ‘the National Park of El Cocuy is just a hidden unknown gem of the Andes! Go for it! And also with the Colombian tourist board which accurately says ‘the only risk is wanting to stay!’ « Previous report | »

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