Bolivia Mountaineering School

Course objectives: Ascents in the Condoriri region, Huayna Potosi, & Illimani; 13 and 18-day options

This expedition in the Cordillera Real, the Royal Range, offers some of the finest mountaineering objectives for beginner climbers looking at the Andes of South America. With comprehensive instruction and guided ascents of Huayna Potosi and Illimani you'll find one of the best possible introductions to high altiude climbing, all set amid a fascinating cultural backdrop. For those with limited experience, this trip combines abundant learning opportunities with practical application of skills on two high altitude peaks.

This popular course is designed for individuals aspiring to learn the fundamental skills of snow and ice climbing and glacier travel. Our goal is to develop self-reliant alpine climbers. With the comprehensive curriculum and some hands on expedition climbing this trip is one of our most rewarding South American adventures.

With newly acquired skills, course participants will focus their attention on three climbing objectives. We will acclimatize on glaciated Tarija before moving onto our main goals of 19,968 foot Huayna Potosi and 21,193 foot Illimani. Our route up Huayna Potosi, considered by many the most beautiful peak in Bolivia, takes us up easy to moderate glacier slopes with one section of 50-degree snow/ice before reaching the knife-edged summit ridge. Once there spectacular, exposed climbing leads to the airy summit. For those participating on the Illimani extension they will be challenged with moderate snow and ice slopes to the summit of one of South America’s most sought after mountaineering objectives.

Course Curriculum Includes:

• Snow climbing, ice axe positioning, and moving in balance
• Self arrest techniques
• Snow and ice anchor selection, construction, and equalization
• Ice climbing and crampon techniques
• Prussiking and team crevasse rescue practice
• Rappelling and rope management
• Glaciology and crevasse pattern prediction
• Navigation using maps, altimeters, and compasses
• Roped glacier travel and route finding through crevassed areas
• Mountain weather
• Alpine ecology
• Hazard assessment
• Leave No Trace: Outdoor Ethics
• High altitude physiology