Itinerary

Day 01

Group meets in Santiago, Chile. Equipment check and afternoon briefing at the hotel. For dinner we will have a chance to taste fine Chilean cuisine and wine.


Day 02

Drive south from Santiago to Cajon del Maipo where we enter the Colorado River valley. We drive to the end of the road to a place called Chacayar at about 8,250´ where mules and cowboys will be awaiting us to load our equipment. We hike for about 4 hrs until we reach Baños Azules at 9,000´.


Day 03 - 04

Approach to Base Camp. Mules carry our gear. This approximately 30 mile approach is essential to our acclimatization. The next two days we follow the Colorado River all the way to our Base Camp, at 13,800'. The chances of seeing other expeditions on this route is remote. We may see Condors soaring in the afternoons.

Day 05

Base Camp at 13,800'. Rest and acclimatization day at Base Camp. We want everyone to have the best possible chance to make the summit. The most effective way to do this is to take the time to acclimatize to the low oxygen environment. We will incorporate rest days into our schedule and climb in traditional expedition style. We will be carrying loads up to the next camp and returning to sleep below at the previous camp. The next day we will move to the higher camp.

Day 06

Carry a load to Camp I at 15,500' approx. A moderate day and truly a perfect way to start the first carry of gear to Camp 1. Here we will be able to see Nieve Penitentes, unique snow and ice formations created by the direct sun. Return to Base Camp.

Day 07

Leave Base Camp. Move to Camp I.

Day 08

Carry a load to Camp II at 16,500', a pleasant large flat area with tremendous views of Cerro Polleras, Chimbote and many other imposing, glaciated Andean giants. Return to Camp 1.


Day 09

Move to Camp II.


Day 10

Carry a load to Camp III, at 17,600'. Return to Camp II.


Day 11

Move to Camp III, depending on how the group is acclimatizing.


Day 12

Move to High Camp at 18,200'.


Day 13 - 15

Summit! Weather permitting. We leave several days for our summit day in case of poor weather.


Day 16

Descend to Base Camp.


17 - Next Day

Descend the Colorado Valley in 2 days, with the help of mules to carry our gear.Drive back to Santiago for Celebration Dinner! Next day fly home or continue traveling in South America.

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