Huayna Potosi Summit!

November 11, 2010

After acclimatizing at “sea level” (Lake Titicaca = 13,400 ft/4100m) I headed to one of the main goals of the trip, Huayna Potosi (19,974 ft/6088m).  It is a great looking mountain!  I arrived at Base Camp and set up in the refugio for the night.  A great dinner and good night sleep, we woke up and headed to the High Camp Refugio (16,730 ft/5100m).  Plenty of time to settle in and rest before an early morning start.  We woke up to a little snow and wind.  What a great climb!

A little about the route: summit day starts off with glacier travel.  A few steep rolls and into a gulley that resembles the Mount Whitney chute.  At the top of the chute, a fantastic summit ridge.  The day gave me a little snow and cloud cover but the summit ridge was unreal, with a 1000m drop-off down the west face.  The summit was well worth it.

Returning to La Paz on the same day, today!  I am looking forward to a good meal and great night sleep  After some rest, I’m off to Illimani.

Greg Vernovage