Blogs from Huayna Potosí, La Paz Department, Bolivia, South America - page 2

The most popular turistically climbed mountain in the Cordillera Real. Even if there have been tens of people from La Paz climbing during the weekend, the ascent was worth of it. Huayna offers incredible views of the mountains in Cordillera Real and on the other side Coroico, behind which the Amazon basin starts. I can just recommend (but better on the weekday ;)... read more

Huayna Potosí is a glacier-covered mountain located 15 miles north of the city of La Paz. The first accent of the mountain was done in 1919 by Germans Rudolf Dienst and Adolf Schulze. 91 years later, I decided to follow the same route to the 6,088 meter summit. My father, sister, and I planned the 3-day trek through the Huayna Potosí travel agency, run by Dr. Hugo Berrios. The first day of our journey, we arrived at the first refuge, located at the base of the mountain. The genial staff served us lunch, consisting of energy foods packed with vitamins and carbohydrates. Shortly after, our training for ice hiking commenced. We trekked for about one hour in rocky terrain until we reached an impressive glacier. There, our guide showed us how to properly use our crampons ... read more

I don't think that I've ever really cried out of happiness. Sure, I've choked back a few tough tears at a few events in my life but not really had a good cry ... but this achievement took me to that place. While I was on the Inca trail one of my group was excitedly telling me about a peak in Bolivia that was over the magic 6000m and was suitable for 'beginners'. I was interested! I hadn't really considered or researched much about Bolivia as the good news about extending my career break had only come through in recent weeks - so suddenly I had an itinerary to create! On reaching La Paz I settled into my nice hostel and decided to have a day or so relaxing and seeing the sights before making any ... read more

Oh the things Braeden gets me to do! First it was spending a day on a mountain bike after 18 years of not riding. Then it was hiking the Inca Trail for 4 days with no previous hiking experience. And now, the big one - climbing a mountain 6088m above sea level when I have never climbed anything before in my life. How he gets me to do it, I have no idea, but it was insane! To put it into perspective, Huayna Potosi is just 26 feet short of 20,000ft and stands higher than: Mt Erebus (highest in Europe at 5642m); Mt Kilmanjaro (highest in Africa at 5895m); and Mt Logan (highest in Canada at 5959m). Despite what the posters say (¨easiest 6088m mountain climb¨) - it is not easy. Nor does it feel like ... read more

On our previous visit to Bolivia we only travelled across the country from east to west and in doing so missed out on some of the more obvious tourist destinations. Our plan for this, our second visit to the country, was to travel from north to south and take in a number of the country’s “must sees“. With Lake Titicaca already ticked off, our next destination was to be La Paz. La Paz is famed for being the world’s highest capital city. Technically this isn’t true, as Sucre is Bolivia’s capital, but La Paz it is most definitely the heart and soul of the country. Irrespective of the city’s claim on a place in the Guinness Book of Records it is a fascinating place and most definitely high. For such a large city it is improbably ... read more