Chachacomani Ascent

Transfer from La Paz to the village of Cruz Pampa at 4420 m of altitude (3 hours drive). We start a long approach walk north-east towards the end of the valley, to reach the Chachacomani massif. The view gets clearer on the coveted summit. We have to find the best way through “bofedals” (Swampy zones with giant mosses soaked with water), to reach the stream meandering on the other side of the valley, and wade across it. We arrive at the foot of a valley oriented to the north-west, leading below the Chachacomani. We set up our camp on a small beach, just below a rocky spur, next to the stream.

We head north-west towards a perpendicular valley. We gain elevation quickly and arrive at a hollow with a meandering stream (4700 m asl / 15 419 FT). We continue through the hollow. As we head up towards the north to the glacier, the path is steep and rocky. We arrive at the glacier and set up camp.

We depart in the night and make our way across the glacier to fissured plateau. We pass around crevasses to the foot of the Chachacomani ridges. As we head east to the main summit, the slopes are steeper (45º). The view from the summit ridge is stunning, stretching from the north to the south of the Cordillera. We descend by the same route and return to base camp.

Return to the village of Cruz Pampa and drive to La Paz.