The Venezuelan
Andes
are the main center for climbing in this south american
country and the city of Merida is the natural starting
point for almost unlimited options for both skilled and
neophyte climbers in the nearby 683,112 acres Sierra Nevada
National Park and the 495,199 acres Sierra de La Culata
National Park, the only area in Venezuela to have alpine
attributes with all year round snow covered peaks, including
76 peaks above 13,123 feet and 424 glacier lakes.
The
Pico Bolivar, Venezuela's highest peak at 16,427 feet,
has three different routes to its summit. The moderately
difficult Weiss Route (south) poses not much technical
complexity during the local summer and a novice in good
physical condition could achieve it, while the snow-covered
during the local winter Bourgoin Route (southwest) is
more difficult and for experienced climbers. This was
the route used to summit the peak by first time in 1935.
For the truly veteran enthusiast, the across ice Vinci
Route (north) is the most difficult.
Before
reaching the summit of Pico Humboldt (Venezuela's second
highest peak at 16,220 feet) and its beautiful and impressive
scenery of glaciers, one must pass by Andean cloud forest
and high paramo. The view from atop is awesome on a very
clear day: Laguna Verde, Pico Bolivar and Pico Bonpland.
A good physical condition is required to attempt either
the northeast or west flanks.
An
ascend of almost 6,570 feet means that Pico Espejo (15,633
feet) is a very demanding undertaking, but resolved souls
are rewarded with fantastic views of the Pico Bolivar
glaciers and also of Humboldt and Bonpland (16,213 feet)
Peaks. Round-up with a descend hike to the cloud forests
around La Mucuy and visit awesome snow peak and high glacier
lakes landscapes.
It
is possible to climb Pico El Toro, at 15,600 feet, in
just one day from the Loma Redonda station of the cable
car (at 13,271 feet) and enjoy incredible views of the
city of Merida below. Good physical condition is required.
The
15,574 feet Pico Pan de Azucar in the Sierra de La Culata
makes for a very good climb as well. Pass by valleys full
of flowers and frailejones, rivers and waterfalls on the
way to the apex, from where the Maracaibo
Lake can be seen. A very good physical condition is
required although the climb does not have technical difficulty.
The
highest peak in the Sierra de Santo Domingo with 15,328
feet, Pico Mucuñuque offers views across to the
Sierra Nevada (Pico Bolivar and Pico Humboldt) and down
to Barinas in the Llanos
on clear days. This peak is relatively easy to climb as
it presents no technical problems.
Contact
us to include climbing
in a customized itinerary of travel to Venezuela.
