Blogs from Huayna Potosí, La Paz Department, Bolivia, South America - page 5

Above the clouds It was certainly the earliest breakfast in my whole life: 11pm. Maybe you could argue that it wasn't a proper breakfast: A bit of bread and a cup of coca tea had to do. But early it was. Six hours later - it is still dark - we are standing at 5900 meters above sea level ready to tackle the final ascent to the peak of Huayna Potosi (6088m). I am sure now that I would make it to the top. The air is thin up here and for many climbers this is the hardest part - a nearly 200 meters wall which you have to clamber making full use of your crampons and ice-axe. But I have had my crisis long before. About half way, just after the first wall I suddenly ... read more

6,088 metres, it was really only a number to me until yesterday. I knew it was high; it dwarfs anything in New Zealand or even our corner of the world or even much of the world. The highest mountain in Africa, Mt Kilimanjaro is only 5,895 mts. The highest mountain in all of Europe, Mt Elbrus is a smaller 5,642 mts. The highest mountain in North America, Mt McKinley is just a little taller at 6,194 mts. In fact outside of the Andes, the only other ranges with taller mountains are the Himalaya/Tibet and Hindu Kush ranges. I think I’m only just getting a good appreciation for how high we were. So why Huayna Potosi, It is meant to be the easiest 6,000 metre peak in the world to climb and indeed the brochure I looked ... read more

6088 m! And that's an altitude record! At least for me. Climbing Huayna Potosi mountain is difficult mostly because of the altitude of the summit, where the barometric pressure is more than twice as low as on the sea level. This means twice less air! The climb itself is not technically demanding, so even people who has never done serious climbing before, like me, could attempt it. The main thing here is acclimatization. You need to spend allot of time at high altitude, before attempting this climb. And even if you're acclimatized enough, still every physical effort you'll do will be much more difficult at this altitude and you'll feel the lack of oxygen straight away. On the first day of this 3 days climb, we arrived to the base camp at 4700 m, from where ... read more

La Paz has been great, and certainly one of the best cities I´ve visited. Amazing restaurants (RamJam especially), interesting museums, tons of history and a spectacular geographical setting. I will miss the constant chatter of the micro busses passing with the incoherent Bolivian screaming the various locations his ride services. Una boliviano, una boliviano, plaza Isabella, san Francisco, prado…ah the memories. It´s the best way to get around town, super cheap and very safe. After the downhill biking, I opted for some uphill trekking, and most logical option was to attempt the 6,088m Huayna Potosi, not far from La Paz. I booked a tour which included all the necessary gear (cramp-ons, ice axe, gore pants, gators, mountaineering boots, gloves, fleece), experienced guides, and a roof versus a tent over my head for the two nights (no ... read more

Well James and I have had a fantastic week since our last blog! We started off by visiting a tourist agency called "Alberth Bolivia" and somehow ended up booking a guide to take us up Huayna Potosi, a 6,088m mountain (although it is supposed to be the easiest 6,000m peak in the world!) in just 3 days time! We also booked a tour for the next day up Chacaltaya, a 5,395m which is a very easy mountain to climb as you are driven up to 5,200m leaving only 200m to climb. Despite leaving very late due to a broken down minibus James and I found the 200m climb surprisingly easy (which at that altitude is something of an achievement) although it probably had something to do with the fact that we had been at over 4,000m ... read more