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Overview | Climbing | Trekking
Ishinca Valley | Alpamayo
| Huascaran | Pisco/Chopiqualqui
(A wealth of climbing in the Ishinca Valley.)
Climb Urus (17,979 ft.), Ishinca (18,143 ft.), and Tocllaraju (19,790 ft.)
2008 Dates: July 7 - 20; July 22 - August 4. (14 Days). $3100 per person
Additional 2008 Dates!: August 9 - 22
2009 Dates: June 6 - 19; August 9 - 22.
Cost: $3100 per person (all 3 peaks)
Client to Guide Ratio: 3:1
Beginning Level Climbing
Our main objective will be to gain high altitude climbing experience, alpine snow and ice climbing experience, and glacier travel and crevasse rescue skills. We will attempt 2 - 3 summits on this trip, the highest being Tocllaraju (19,790 ft.). This trip is a great precursor to climbing higher peaks in the range such as Huascaran, Chopiqualqui, or Alpamayo.
Once we arrive in Lima, we travel by bus to Huaraz (9,880 ft.), at the very foot of the Cordillera Blanca. We'll spend two full days here, adjusting to the altitude, exploring the city of Huaraz, and hiking around some of the surrounding foothills. Our training will begin on the Pastoriri Glacier, a short drive from Huaraz. Here, you'll be introduced to the topics of glacier travel and crevasse rescue, as well as modern snow and ice climbing techniques.
We begin the climbing portion of our expedition with a short drive to our trailhead for the Ishinca Valley. We will load our equipment onto burros and make our approach to base camp. We gain a lot of altitude quickly as we enter this magnificent valley, then the hike levels off as we near our camp. The site of our base camp is at the head of the valley and is surrounded by the stunning high peaks of Ranraplaca (20,217 ft.), Palcaraju (20,046 ft.) and Tocllaraju (19,790 ft.). There are also scores of lesser peaks that make great training climbs.
The culmination of the trip will be a climb of Tocllaraju (19,790 ft.) via the Northwest Ridge, but we will also climb Ishinca (18,143 ft.) and Urus (17,979 ft.) in preparation. The routes on Ishinca and Urus are generally characterized by moderate slope angles and interesting glacier travel. The climb of Urus has less glacier travel than Ishinca or Tocllaraju and serves as a great warmup to these climbs. We have adjusted our itinerary so that team members who do not want to make the climb of Tocllaraju may leave on Day 10 of the itinerary.
After our ascents we will descend back down to Huaraz, and ultimately back to Lima and the U.S. For those that are staying to do more climbing, this trip is perfect for training and acclimatization for Southwest Adventures Guides' Huascaran Expedition.
The Ishinca Valley is located just outside of Huaraz, and is an excellent location to climb a variety of peaks. This trip will ascend a variety of climbs that are great for beginning high altitude climbers wanting to gain high altitude climbing experience. the short approach provides for amaximum amount of time to acclimate and learn galcier, snow and ice climbing skills.
- Day 1: Arrive in Lima where you will be met at the airport by the guide and taken to our hotel.
- Day 2: Travel by bus to Huaraz. This is a spectacular drive over some high mountain passes. We'll pass by the Cordillera Huayhuash on the way, the site of Joe Simpson's epic struggle for survival.
- Day 3: Today is a day hike in the mountains above Huaraz. This is an important acclimatization day.
- Day 4: Today we'll travel to the Pastoriri Glacier above Huaraz. Here, we'll begin our instruction on glacier travel and crevasse rescue, team rope travel, and basic snow climbing skills such as cramponing and self-arrest. You'll go on to use, and practice, these skills on the subsequent summit climbs in the Ishinca Valley.
- Day 5: Today we'll take private transport to the mouth of the Ishinca Valley and with the help of burros, travel to our base camp (14,400 ft.) below Urus.
- Day 6: Today we'll attempt the summit of Urus (17,979 ft.). Moderate slope angles and easy glacier travel characterize the ascent on this day.
- Day 7: With the help of porters we'll move to Ishinca high camp (15, 490 ft.). This is a short day and a majority of the day will be spent resting in preparation for the ascent of Ishinca.
- Day 8: Today we'll attemp the summit of Ishinca (18,143 ft.). Slightly steeper climbing and more complicated glacier travel will take us to one of the awesome summits in the valley.
- Day 9: Today, team members electing not to continue on to Tocllaraju will return to Huaraz and celebrate! The following day they will return to Lima by bus and fly home. This is a rest day for team members continuing on to Tocllaraju.
- Day 10: Again with the help of porters, we'll move to high camp (16,800 ft.) on Tocllaraju and rest in preparation for the summit attempt the following day.
- Day 11: Summit day Tocllaraju (19,790 ft.). This is an excellent climb for participants who want to summit a 6,000 meter peak. This is a relatively easy 6,000 meter peak, and will prepare you well for future ascents in the Cordillera Blanca such as Alpamayo, Huascaran, Chopiqualqui, or other less well known peaks.
- Day 12: Return to Huaraz and celebrate!
- Day 13: Return to Lima.
- Day 14: Return to U.S.
Included in cost: An AMGA trained Alpine Guide, all ground transportation, hotels, tents, and food while on the mountain. All group climbing and camping equipment.
Not included in cost: Food and drinks in towns, personal climbing and camping equipment, and international air fare, costs of a personal nature, extra hotels or transportation due to illness, injury, or early return.
Prerequisites: Participants should have prior, basic mountaineering experience. They should be comfortable with self arrest, and walking in crampons. If you do not possess these skills, or need review, we recommend doing a skills course with us in Colorado prior to your Peru trip.
Registration and Cancellation: You will need to fill out an International Expedition Application, cancellation policy agreement, and liability waiver, and send it to us with a 50% deposit 60 days before the trip date. Balance is due 30 days prior to trip departure date. Please click on our Registration/Travel link to access the required forms.
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