Peru or Bolivia - June/July 2014

[shredthegnar10]

I am looking for partners for a trip to Peru or Bolivia this summer. I haven't really researched the peaks or routes that much yet; I want to see if anyone else is interested first -- but at this point I'm probably mostly looking at PD/AD routes. I could probably be convinced to do something rated D (i.e. sustained climbing on snow/glaciers steeper than 55 degrees) with the right partner/group. Probably looking at spending about two weeks there, possibly up to three if I can take that much time off.
Just trying to gauge interest and explore options at this point.

Side note: I'm also looking at doing some climbs in the North Cascades this summer, so if you're interested in that, let me know also.

[Scott P]

Be aware that due to El Niño, conditions might be bad this year. It is predicted that Southern Peru will be very dry with drought, while northern Peru could have flooding.

The Blanca and Huayuash could have especially bad conditions. Certainly go anyway, but keep this in mind while planning.

[kushrocks]

Hey Shred I have never been to Peru and I hear great things about it but Bolivia absolutely blew my mind when I was down there. It was one of the coolest places I have ever been and would love to go back. We climbed 2 peaks down there. PM me if you have any questions

[I Man]

Amy - Good to see you planning another trip!!
I cannot say enough good things about Peru, the people, the atmosphere and did I mention...the climbing!!!
The Peruvian Andes are huge pyramids and snow and ice towering well above 6000m. The trip is fairly low cost and easy access to some of the best alpine climbing in the world. I highly recommend you go to Peru. I would be happy to answer any questions you might have. my team spent 3+ weeks in the Cordillera Blanca last July and made it up 3 peaks.

[MyFeetHurt]

I just bought my ticket for the Cordillera, I'll be there for most of July. Most of my days are already scheduled but let me know what you end up doing, I might be down for something. I really want Alpamayo but I'm going to see how other stuff goes first.

[I Man]

I just bought my ticket for the Cordillera, I'll be there for most of July. Most of my days are already scheduled but let me know what you end up doing, I might be down for something. I really want Alpamayo but I'm going to see how other stuff goes first.

July is the perfect time to go. Its crazy how settled the weather can be. I highly recommend Alpayamyo, as it is amazing and deserving of its reputation. my only advice would be get on the route early...like very early. Climb it in the dark. You'll be glad you did. Good luck!

[Scott P]

The Peruvian Andes are huge pyramids and snow and ice towering well above 6000m.

Some of them certainly are. The Peruvian Andes have about every kind of mountain, from towering volcanoes (some of which are very active and among the world's highest active volcanoes) rising out of some of the world's driest deserts, 6000 meter peaks with no snow on them, towering ice pyramids, huge rock faces, and some of the wettest and thickest jungle mountains. There is lots of variety in the Peruvian Andes and just about every mountain type there is.

[swampthing]

I've been drooling over the Cordillera for years. Will you be staying in Huaraz or somewhere else between climbs? I hear it's pricey (for Peru) but really cool. I certainly hope you have a successful, safe, and unforgettable trip!

[geojed]

Since the Cordillera Blanca is getting all the love here (the Blanca is definitely a place I want to climb someday too), I'll speak up for the Cordillera Real in Bolivia. I'm planning on climbing 4 peaks there Summer 2015. One nice thing is that guided climbs in Bolivia are less expensive than Peru, plus you fly to La Paz which is at 13,000' and you're just a couple of hours from the peaks. In Peru you have to do the 8hr bus ride from Lima to Huaraz.

Planning on climbing the 4 peaks below.

[I Man]

Flights from Denver to Lima in the summer are usually around $1100. Lima is not a desirable place, IMO, but it is cool to spend a night there. The bus ride is indeed 8 hours long, costs roughly $15 and is very cozy, complete with comfortable chairs, movies, bathroom and meals. I think I even had a few beers on the way back. The permit for Huascaran National Park is only $25 and covers you for up to a month of climbing.
The infrastructure in Huarez for climbing is abundant and the city itself is a great place to spend some time. I look forward to taking an extended trip down there in the near future. My group used mostly Taxi's to get from Huarez to the TH and this was usually around $20 a person each way, though we did use Collectivos once and though it is less direct it is pretty much free. If you choose to hire Donkeys and a driver for getting gear to basecamp that will cost you about $25 dollars a day for the whole team. Point is this trip is CHEAP for what it is.

Also, the highest most interesting mountain in the Western Hemisphere is in Peru, Huascaran Sur at 22,205ft/6768m. I cannot say enough good things about this climb. The mountains Jed linked look pretty awesome, too. Whatever you do, go climb in the Andes!!

[Scott P]

Flights from Denver to Lima in the summer are usually around $1100.

I recently got mine for $500 round trip to Lima ($600 round trip to Arequipa), but I got lucky.

Right now for July on some of the dates it's $794 on Spirit Airlines round trip Denver to Lima, connecting one stop through Fort Lauderdale. Usually the low fares don't last that long though.

Anyway, since people are plugging for the Blanca and Real, don't forget about the Huayuash:



The mountains there are even more rugged than the Blanca and much less visited. It's also not far from Huaraz. One reason it's less popular is because there are few peaks for beginners.

No matter which area you choose though, you should have a good trip.

[I Man]

Flights from Denver to Lima in the summer are usually around $1100.

I recently got mine for $500 round trip to Lima ($600 round trip to Arequipa), but I got lucky.

Right now for July on some of the dates it's $794 on Spirit Airlines round trip Denver to Lima, connecting one stop through Fort Lauderdale. Usually the low fares don't last that long though.

The Spirit Airlines flights are always about $700 but they charge you for everything including your carry on bag. By the time you spend an extra $300 in baggage fees and risk losing your luggage you'll wish you hadn't chose a budget airline haha.