Colombia Climber Dossier 2013
For dates and prices please return to the Colombia Climber front page
Easy Mountaineering ascents in scenic Colombia
SummaryA great trip to one of the friendliest and most interesting Andean nations. The scenery in the Cocuy range is spectacular and the peaks are some of the most accessible and scenic big summits in the Andes. |
Outline Itinerary |
|
| Day 1 | Flight to Bogota |
| Day 2 | Day in Bogota |
| Day 3-6 | Travel to Cocuy and acclimatisation walks |
| Day 7-8 | Ritacuba Blanco ascent |
| Day 9-10 | Return to Bogota and fly to Manizales |
| Day 11-15 | Climbs in Los Nevados national park |
| Day 16-17 | Return flight to Bogota and return home |
INTRODUCTION TO THIS EXPEDITION
This itinerary, variations of which we have run twice before, combines ascents of a couple of easy Colombian volcanoes in the Los Nevados range with some climbing in the remote and spectacular Sierra Nevada del Cocuy.
After a flight to the Colombian capital Bogotá we travel north to the beautiful wee town of El Cocuy and the mountain range of the same name. From here we will spend several days walking and acclimatising in the central part of the Sierra Nevada del Cocuy massif and finish with an ascent of the highest peak, Ritacuba Blanco 5410m, which is a straightforward one day snow climb.
The second phase of the trip is based in the Los Nevados range to the west of the capital, where we will make ascents of Santa Isabel 4950m and El Ruiz 5311m. This phase of the expedition will be based in Manizales, a provincial city in a spectacular setting within Colombia's main coffee growing area, and we will fly here from Bogota. Both main ascents in the Los Nevados range are straightforward glacier ascents on volcanoes. Ruiz has a spectacular, steaming 200m deep crater at its summit.
Expedition members should be experienced summer walkers ideally with some alpine or snow walking experience. Skills using an ice-axe and crampons will be needed for the ascents, but these can easily be gained or improved on the expedition and it is not necessary to have used these before you join.
BOGOTA
The expedition will fly out to the city of Bogota, the capital of Colombia, at an altitude of 2680m and we'll also have some time here in the middle and at the end of the expedition. Bogota is a very pleasant and attractive city despite its size of over 5 million people. It is a much friendlier and more pleasant and relaxing place than its reputation would make you think. Well worth seeing during our time here is the Gold Museum. A walk up the hill of Monserrate for a view of the city is also a a pleasant excursion.
El Cocuy village, one of the prettiest and friendliest places we have seen anywhere in the Andes.
SIERRA NEVADA DEL COCUY
The first phase of the expedition will take us to the beautiful Sierra Nevada del Cocuy in the northwest of the country. One of the most scenic parts of the Andes, this range boasts snow-capped peaks, huge rock walls and unusual vegetation. The area is popular with local Colombian climbers and walkers.
We'll travel from Bogotá in a privately hired vehicle to the pretty wee village of El Cocuy at 2700m. From here we will spend several days walking in the central part of the Cocuy massif to acclimatise before finishing with an ascent of the highest peak, Ritacuba Blanco 5410m, which is a straightforward snow climb up a shallow angled glacier.
Ritacuba Blanco from above Las Cabañas.
RITACUBA BLANCO
Ritacuba Blanco, at 5410m high, is the highest peak in the Sierra Nevada del Cocuy. It is a reasonably straightforward climb over easy angled snow on the western slopes above Las Cabañas, usually with a high camp on rock slabs beneath the glacier at 4600m. From the summit there are spectacular views of the cliffs on the eastern side of the range to the remote valleys of the eastern Sierra Nevada, and even on may days all the way to the Sierra Nevada de Merida in Venezuela, 270km away!.
LOS NEVADOS NATIONAL PARK
Our second trip to the mountains will be to the Los Nevados range west of Bogota. We will fly to the city of Manizales and then use hired transport to take us into the mountains. The mountains are just a short drive from Manizales up through forests and dairy farmland before reaching the high paramo (moorland) on the edge of the range. Much of the central part of the range is a volcanic desert and there are impressive volcanic cones, ash deserts and lava flows.
Los Nevados are Colombia's most accessible mountain range and we will spend a total of three days here after our time in the Sierra Nevada del Cocuy. In that time we plan to make ascents of Nevado Santa Isabel 4950m and Nevado El Ruiz 5311m. The latter is an active volcano which erupted to devastating effect in 1987. Both of the highest peaks are easy ascents over snow and ice. There is an impressive crater on El Ruiz and a really scenic campsite at the foot of Santa Isabel.
Campsite in Los Nevados, from our first expedition to Colombia in 2001.
NEVADO EL RUIZ & SANTA ISABEL
Nevado El Ruiz is an active volcano with a spectacular crater at the summit. The last major eruption was in the 1980's when unfortunately the town of Armero was devastated by a mud-slide. We will climb by the normal route on the west slopes, which is a short day ascent from the road end at 4800m. The ascent is generally an easy walk over snow slopes, but there are a few very small crevasses to cross.
Santa Isabel is a pretty mountain with three summits in the centre of the Los Nevados range. We will climb in a short day from a beautiful campsite at 4200m on the west side of the mountain There is a good path to the glacier edge then easy snow slopes to the summit. If time and weather permit we will ascend several of the summits.
FITNESS AND EXPERIENCE REQUIRED
Clients should as a minimum be experienced summer walkers or trekkers. Some experience of using an ice-axe and crampons would be an advantage but is not essential as adequate instruction can be given during the course of the expedition. Ascents to over 5000m require considerable fitness. Good hillwalking fitness is obviously important, but is not enough on its own. Some cardiopulmonary fitness obtained, by a program of intensive exercise such as running, circuit training, squash or cycling. will help immensely
CLIMATE
The weather in Colombia can be a little unpredictable. Periods of good weather alternate with short periods of bad weather every few days, so it is possible that at least one of the ascents may involve waiting for a day of suitable weather. We will be climbing in the area during the dry season but it is not as well defined a dry season as other parts of the Andes further south enjoy. However the sun does come out very frequently and when it does it is almost overhead and very strong. At altitude there can be cold winds and temperatures are normally low, going down to -5ºC during the hours of darkness each night, so bring a warm sleeping bag and a good book!
Panorama of the El Ruiz crater, February 2009.
HARDSHIPS
On this type of expedition there are inevitably some hardships which clients must be prepared to face in return for the great rewards of walking and climbing in such beautiful mountains. Cold nights, early starts and some tinned food are a few of the experiences which will have to be enjoyed! There will be some short sections of backpacking on this itinerary of up to 2 or 3 hours carrying 15-18kg rucksacks.
FLIGHTS
Flights from London to Bogota and on to Manizales will cost about £1000-£1200. We normally arrange these for you through our travel agents, Journey Latin America, (ATOL 2828) at very competitive prices. We make no charge for this service and many customers find it convenient as we are then all booked to fly out on the same plane.
If you prefer you can arrange your own flights to fit in with the expedition itinerary. Please note that if booking flights yourself it is better to pay only a deposit in the short term in case we do not have sufficient fully paid customers to run the expedition.
VISAS
Visas are not needed by British citizens, but you need a full passport valid for six months from the date of travel. You must let us know at the time of booking if you will not be travelling on a British passport.
INSURANCE
All clients must be insured for medical costs and repatriation in an emergency. We recommend having insurance for baggage, personal liability and cancellation as well. If you would like further advice please ask.
ACCOMMODATION
While staying in Bogota and Manizales we will use a clean and secure hotel, with hot showers, private bathroom and all the other comforts of home. In El Cocuy the accommodation is more primitive, but is still clean and friendly. It will be possible to leave extra luggage in these hotels while we are in the mountains. There are huts on some of the mountains but we will usually be camping. We supply modern lightweight tents and stoves but you'll need your own sleeping bag, even for the huts.
Our hotel in El Cocuy village, February 2009
SECURITY
Colombia has something of a reputation as a security risk but Bogota, the Sierra Nevada del Cocuy and the area around Los Nevados were considered reasonably safe at the time of writing and have certainly proved safe on our four previous visits. If this situation changes we might have to substitute an alternative destination. We issue further advice on security to all clients before departure. It should be stressed that we have run countless expeditions to South America over ten years including four previous visits to Colombia and we can quite confidently say that people are more likely to lose something than have it stolen!
INSURANCE
All clients must be insured for medical costs and repatriation in an emergency. We recommend having insurance for baggage, personal liability and cancellation as well. If you would like advice on insurance please ask.
SAFETY AND RISK
This is an adventure holiday and all clients will be exposed to an element of risk by taking part in this itinerary. While we take all reasonable precautions to reduce risk it is neither possible nor desirable to completely eliminate these additional risks. It is important that you understand the risks involved before signing our booking form. We have identified the following areas as the principal additional risks of this itinerary. This is not a fully inclusive list - please ask if you would like to see a more detailed risk assessment of this itinerary before booking.
Crime : Colombia has a higher crime rate than Europe. As a wealthy tourist you may attract attention.
Driving, hotels and general safety : In Colombia driving, fire safety standards and general safety standards are not as high as in Europe.
Remoteness : You will be more than a days walk from medical help for some of the time.
Minor slips and falls : due to steep, uneven and unstable ground.
Weather : The mountains of Colombia can be affected by cloudy weather making navigation difficult. Forecasts are not so reliable and not always available.
Mountain Hazards : On all the climbs there is a very slight risk of avalanche and crevasse falls. In certain places you may be subjected to a slight risk of rockfall.
Altitude : At high altitudes there is an increased risk of medical problems, most obviously altitude illness
The summit view from Ritacuba Blanco, Sierra Nevada del Cocuy.
EXPEDITION SIZE
The minimum number of customers we need to run this expedition is three. The maximum size of the expedition will be six customers plus leader.
EXPEDITION ORGANISATION
Our expeditions are designed to be small and flexible. The expedition will be co-ordinated, organised and lead by us, but as far as possible will adapt to the plans and aspirations of the members. We will consult you when planning the details of the expedition. We publish an outline itinerary so that we have something to fall back on if none of us can agree! Please note however that the leaders decision is final where the safety of the group or any member is in jeopardy; for example where retreat or diversion is necessary due to illness or bad weather.
There will be some short sections of backpacking on this itinerary of up to 2 or 3 hours carrying 15-18kg rucksacks.
EXPEDITION LEADER
At the time of writing and printing this dossier we have not confirmed the leader for this expedition. Please call for details nearer the departure date if you require these. All our expeditions are led by a suitably qualified and/or experienced British leader.
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