Huayna Potosi Ascent

The Huayna Potosi is without a doubt The most famous and frequented summit in Bolivia. It is located about 25 kilometers north of La Paz in the Eastern Cordillera and rises to 6.088m above sea level. It gives a view of the Altiplano, La Paz, the Illimani and the Cordillera Real. The ascent is relatively easy, but has some delicate passages (walls of ice a few meters above the Argentinian camp) and the final slope is more technical, level (AD + / II). Its track is very well done and facilitates its ascent. For those who prefer uncrowded virgin glacial climbs, it is better to opt for another summit.

Overview :

Length of stay :

2 days on the spot.

Transport :

Private vehicle

Entry of the sites :

Included

Guide :

IFMGA english speaking guide (subject to availibity)

Altitude of the journey:

6.088m asl

Best moment of year :

From May to October

Request a custom quote, free and without commitment: Get free quote

Steps and highlights:

Main steps:

Day 1

Highlights:

  • We pass by the glacier Viejo
  • Quite difficult summit cliff on 150 m of change in elevation at an inclination of 55º / 60º
  • Beautiful aerial and vertiginous ridge leading to the main summit.

Day 1 : LA PAZ - CASA BLANCA – ROCK CAMP - « ANSELME BAUD » REFUGE (5.270 meters / 17 290 feet asl.)

More infos
Departure :

08:00 am

Accommodation :

refuge

Meals included :

breakfast, lunch,

Altitude :

Time of transport :

2h

Walking time :

2h

LA PAZ - CASA BLANCA – ROCK CAMP  - « ANSELME BAUD » REFUGE (5.270 meters / 17 290 feet asl.)

Transfer in private vehicle to the Casa Blanca refuge (4795 meters / 15 732 feet asl., 2 hours drive) Easy ascent above the refuge on a path going north. We pass by the glacier “Viejo” and walk North-West to the moraine (4970 meters / 16 305 feet asl.). On the last 200 m, we’ll walk on a steep rocky spur. Arrival to the Rock Camp’s refuge (5170 meters / 16 962 feet asl.). We continue north-west to the Anselme Baud refuge (5270 meters / 17 290 feet asl.)

Special information :
Change in elevation:: +470 m / - 25 m

Day 2 : ASCENT OF THE HUAYNA POTOSI (6.088 meters / 19 974 feet asl.) - LA PAZ (3.600 meters / 11 811 feet asl.)

More infos
Departure :

08:00 am

Accommodation :

none

Meals included :

breakfast, lunch

Altitude :

Time of transport :

2h

Walking time :

8/11 h

ASCENT OF THE HUAYNA POTOSI (6.088 meters / 19 974 feet asl.) - LA PAZ (3.600 meters / 11 811 feet asl.)

Ascent with low difficulties, but with some tricky sections (small ice cliffs above Argentine camp) and the final slope is more technical (AD+/II). Departure at night (Around 2 am). The progression is easy to the north-west through successive trays until the argentine camp at 5470 meters / 17 946 feet asl. We face the first difficulty, a small ice wall (3 to 4 m, which may fluctuate with the years) which leads to the next plateau. We continue progressing north-west more easily, until the beginning of the final slope, however with some trickier sections but shorter. Now, we have to go for the final cliff, which is quite exposed (55º / 60º) and often mixed with ice and rock according to snowfall. We arrive now to an aerial and vertiginous ridge which leads us to the main summit. The view opens over the whole Altiplano, the Royal Cordillera and Illimani massif. It’s about 5 to 7 hours climbing from the refuge. Descent by the same route to the Casa Blanca refuge in 3 to 4 hours. Back to La Paz in vehicle.

Special information :
Change in elevation:: +945 m / - 1290 m

Do you like this trip ?

Contact us