Alpine Mountaineering Instruction & Ascents
Contact us for pricing and set departure dates- 15 days - Maximum groups of 8 passengers, with one guide to 4 climbers.

This program is designed for individuals with fundamental alpine and glacier skills who would like to review their skills and follow up with climbs of high altitude peaks in the midst of the Andes. Ascents of Nevado Urus Este (17,783 ft.), Ishinca (18,143 ft.), Toqllaraju (19,790 ft.) plus review of alpine climbing and glacier travel skills are the goals in 15 days.

Peru’s Cordillera Blanca is one of the most rugged and heavily glaciated ranges in the Andes. With hundreds of peaks rising to elevations between 17,000 and 22,000 feet, the area encompasses a remarkable array of climbing challenges, from the moderate to the extreme. We enter Peru through Lima and then drive north and inland to the town of Huaras where we begin our acclimatization by spending two nights at just over 10,000 feet. We spend our first full day in the area making an easy hike in the vicinity of Laguna Churup (14,500 ft.), and the next day, drive to our trailhead at Collon and hike to our 14,000-foot base camp in the Ishinca Valley. We gain additional acclimatization here, get a full day of glacier travel skills review, and then tackle our first climb, Nevado Urus Este. This is a moderate climb on a glacier (up to 30 degrees), and it furthers our acclimatization while providing spectacular views of our coming targets, Nevados Ishinca and Toqllaraju as well as of Ranrapallca and Nevado de Copa.

Chopikalki Extension (20,847 ft.)
$970 per person - 5 day extension

Chopikalki is spectacularly situated northeast of and connected to Peru’s highest peak, Huascaran Sur. With Huascaran Norte and Sur, it is the third highest summit encircling the Llanganuco Glacier and forming the immense and dramatic Angosh Cirque. Ascent of Chopikalki via the classic Southwest Ridge is the goal in the five day extension.

After a rest day and two nights at our hotel in Huaras, we set up a basecamp in Quebrada Angosh. From there we make a double carry to our high camp at 18,373 ft. which puts us in position to climb the peak’s classic southwest ridge. Our route begins with travel up a major glacier, followed by gradually steepening terrain on a broad ridge with some interesting route finding to avoid crevasses and seracs. As we move higher the ridge narrows and steepens, and while this finish to our ascent is not highly technical, the exposure to either side is striking and one of the characteristics that makes this route so remarkably photogenic.

Spectacular views of the two peaks of Huascaran, first of Norte’s precipitous northeast face and then of Sur’s seldom climbed northeast face are evident throughout the climb. From the summit enjoy what many consider to be the best view in the Cordillera Blanca, including the south faces of the Huandoys, Chakraraju, Alpamayo, and Taulliraju. From beginning to end, this is an ideal high altitude expeditionary experience for climbers with fundamental alpine climbing and glacier travel skills.

For climbing Cordillera Blanca in Peru or climbing other peaks in Peru contact us for full details.