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Dates | 4th - 25th February 2013 |
| Duration | 22 days | |
| Grade | 1C | |
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"Andes" Leadership Fee
(includes leaders expenses) £1595 |
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PRICES & COSTS
All are per person.
"Andes" Leadership Fee (includes leaders expenses) -- £1595
Estimated Airfares -- £1000
Estimated Trek & Travel Costs in Argentina -- £600
Estimated Accommodation & Meals -- £200
ESTIMATED TOTAL COST per person -- £3400
INTRODUCTION
This expedition, running in February 2013 will be based in the remote Puna de Atacama of Argentina. This is an area of the Andes we know well, having run many successful trips in the past twenty years, including several previous successful trips to Ojos del Salado from both the Chilean and Argentine sides, most recently in December 2011. The Puna de Atacama is a great area for seeing wildlife - on our November 2011 trip we saw many condors, vicuñas, guanacos, an armadillo and even had a great view of a puma. On our trek in to Ojos del Salado in 2013 we will walk past a cliff where ten or twenty condors regularly nest.
The expedition will fly out to the provincial capital city of Catamarca then move on to the small town of Fiambala, a sleepy place in an oasis of vineyards just a few hours drive from the mountains. After an initial acclimatisation phase of three days walking at about 3500-4500m in the Valle de Chaschuil above Fiambala we will begin our trek into the high mountains.
Our main mountain trip will be a 12 night expedition away from civilization, using horses to reach the El Arenal base camp, then backpacking to reach higher camps on Ojos del Salado. From the El Arenal base camp we'll have time to make ascents of one or maybe two nearby 6000m peaks to aid our acclimatisation. These are likely to be Volcan del Viento 6028m and/or Medusa 6120m. Both are straightforward ascents with great views of our route on Ojos del Salado.
We are offering an optional extension with this expedition to climb the 3rd highest Andean peak:- Monte Pissis, 6795m. This will be a further five day trip after a couple of nights resting in Fiambala. We approach this mountain using 4x4's and then backpack to a high camp at about 5800m.
Most of the peaks in this part of the Andes involve no technical climbing although there is a steep snowfield on the summit day of Ojos del Salado for which an ice-axe and crampons are usually necessary. The ascents on this expedition are suitable for strong hillwalkers, though previous expedition or winter experience is preferred due to the demanding weather and camping conditions. Please call or email if you have any questions about this trips suitability for you.
Looking out over the crater of Ojos del Salado from near the summit.
Outline Itinerary |
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| Days 1-2 | Flight via Buenos Aires to Catamarca. |
| Days 3-6 | Travel to Fiambala and acclimatisation walks. |
| Day 7 | Return to Fiambala and rest day |
| Days 8-11 | Approach trek to El Arenal base camp. |
| Days 12-14 | Acclimatisation ascents of one or two 6000m+ peaks |
| Days 15-18 | Ojos del Salado ascent. |
| Days 19-20 | Trek out from the mountains |
| Days 21-22 | Travel back to Catamarca and home |
| Days 21-29 | Rest day, optional Pissis extension and travel home by 4th March |
THE PUNA DE ATACAMA
The plateau of the Puna de Atacama lies on the border between Chile and Argentina and includes a huge area over 4000m above sea level. There are still many unclimbed peaks of over 5000m in this remote area. though many of the peaks in the area were climbed at the time of the Inca empire, when the mountains were worshipped as gods by the inhabitants and were frequently ascended in order to make sacrifices. The Puna is one of the most beautiful and haunting places in the Andes, compared by many to the high plateau of Tibet. The scenery is a bit desolate for some, but the huge open spaces, clear air and big blue skies leave a deep impression on everyone who visits this area.
Trekking at 4000m on the approach to Ojos del Salado. The peak is the 6028m high Volcan del Viento.
CATAMARCA & FIAMBALA
Catamarca is a small provincial capital at the foot of the Andes about 500m above sea level. It is the nearest access city with an airport for the Argentine side of the Puna. We'll fly here from Buenos Aires and then spend a half day in town to purchase supplies before travelling on to the Puna de Atacama. Fiambala is a pleasant wee village set in an oasis of vineyards, wineries and olive groves in the middle of the desert and about 1500m above sea level. It is a very friendly and laid back place, with only one good restaurant - but it is a good one, doing very tasty but simple Argentine steaks and pizzas. The village is about 4 or 5 hours drive across the desert from the city of Catamarca. Nearby are some hot springs, which we may have time to visit one afternoon.
Acclimatisation camp at 3500m in the Valle de Chaschuil near Fiambala. We saw a Puma near here the next day.
PISSIS or BONETE EXTENSION
For those that a longer trip we can organise an optional extension to the third highest peak in the Andes, Monte Pissis, 6795m. This extension will cost £695 and run until the 4th March, giving a total expedition length of 29 days. Costs for travel and accommodation are expected to be around £300, depending on the number of clients. We'll drive from Fiambala to a vehicle base camp at 5100m. From here we will probably make two higher camps on the mountain before leaving for the summit from a high camp at about 5800m or 5900m. We have run three previous trips to this peak and have always been successful though we once had to stop about 5m below the summit due to the lightning risk!.
We are also offering an extension to Bonete 6759m, the fourth highest peak in the Andes, for the same cost of £695, with expenses expected to be about £400. Again there is a high vehicle base camp at about 4800m, and we'll probably make two higher camps on the mountain before going for the summit.
WILDLIFE
Despite the fact that at first sight there is almost nothing to eat in the high barren plateau of the Puna de Atacama the area is very good for seeing some of South Americas unusual wildlife, particularly on the long jeep drives into and out of the mountains. Vicuña and guanaco are wild relatives of the llama and are seen frequently. The rhea, a species of South American ostrich is also common in the foothills. On the lagoons there are flamingos and other species of birds and on this trip we can pretty much guarantee to see a condor circling the peaks. In fact on our way into Ojos del Salado we walk past a cliff where ten or twenty condors regularly nest.
Condors are frequently seen in the Puna, this photo of a juvenile (but still huge!) bird was taken on the acclimatisation phase in the Chaschuil valley during our 2005 Ojos del Salado expedition.
FITNESS & EXPERIENCE NEEDED
Although there is no difficult climbing involved in the ascents planned on this expedition, climbing to such heights is still a serious matter because of the lack of oxygen at high altitude. We will allow plenty of time for expedition members to acclimatise to the altitude but because of the nature of the expedition we recommend clients to have previous successful experience at altitudes of 5000m+. It may be necessary to use an ice-axe and crampons on some of the peaks, but previous experience of using these is not essential. Above base camp in the mountains we will be unsupported and therefore will have to carry expedition weight (20kg) rucksacks uphill for a day or so here and there to establish high camps on the mountains, so some recent experience of backpacking is essential.
For this expedition good mountain fitness is important, but for high altitude expeditions clients also need good cardiopulmonary (heart and lung) fitness. This can only be maintained, by a program of intensive exercise such as sprinting (not jogging), squash or sprint cycling. This should be done in small doses (e.g. half an hour every other day) over a period of at least two months
Clients should be prepared for cold nights camping and be prepared for very windy and dusty weather at times out in the mountains. You must be able to carry your own share of communal expedition equipment above base camp. As we'll be a long way from the nearest supermarket we will all have to put up with tinned and dehydrated food in our diet during our time in the desert. All clients are expected to help with the routine work of this type of expedition; pitching tents, cooking and washing up
Looking out over Chile from the summit of Ojos del Salado, December 2011 "Andes" expedition to the Puna de Atacama.
CLIMATE
The climate at altitude in the Puna de Atacama is very cold and extremely dry. In the mountains temperatures can fall to -20ºC at night. During the day in the mountains it can feel very warm in the strong sun, but it can also be bitterly cold and windy. It should be dry all the time we are in South America, though there is a slight chance of a snow flurry in the mountains. As we are near the tropics come prepared for 10 hours of darkness every night. Temperatures in the valleys around Catamarca and Fiambala and in other low lying areas will be a very pleasant 30-35ºC during the day.
ORGANISATION & LEADERSHIP
Our expeditions are designed to be small and flexible. The expedition will be co-ordinated, organised and lead by us, but we will consult and involve the expedition members when planning the details of the trip. 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. 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.
Hotel chaos in the leaders room just before leaving for Ojos del Salado, "Andes" expedition 2005.
INSURANCE, HEALTH & SECURITY
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. Please bring an extra copy of your insurance certificate on the expedition for the leader. Argentina is one of the most well developed countries in South America. Vaccinations for tetanus, typhoid and polio are recommended. The country is very safe and relaxing to travel in; theft and muggings are as unlikely as they are in most British cities.
SAFETY AND RISK
This is an adventurous mountain trip 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.
Driving, hotels and general
safety : In Argentina driving, fire standards and general safety standards are
not as high as in Europe.
Extreme remoteness : You will be
camping in a very remote area for an extended period and therefore obtaining
medical assistance for any problem will be a very slow process.
Minor slips and falls : due to
steep, uneven and unstable ground.
Weather : The Puna de Atacama is
occasionally affected by severe and sometimes dangerous storms. Forecasts are
not so reliable.
Altitude : At high altitudes there is an increased risk of
medical problems, most obviously altitude illness.
Mountain Hazards : In certain places you may be subjected to
a slight risk of rock slips.
Pissis from the Salar de la Laguna Verde
