Mountaineering Courses

Introduction to Mountaineering

Altitude: 5,350m
Duration: 6 Days
Full climbing equipment provided

Bolivian Mountains is proud to have some of the finest guides and instructors in the country. As such we are able to offer mountaineering courses for any levels of experience and timescale. Below is an example of the sort of courses we have run in the past. Whether you are a group interested in having a little more formal training while taking on some beautiful Andean peaks, or an individual keen to learn new skills, you should contact us to discuss your options and we will put together an itinerary which suits your needs.

Itinerary

6 Day Mountaineering Course for Beginners Itinerary

DAY ONE

Departing from La Paz by vehicle, we make our way out to the road head near the Condoriri valley. Meeting us there will be a team of mules to help bring our gear along the 2 hour trek into Lake Chiar Khota, where we will establish our base camp.

DAY TWO

The morning will be spent familiarising ourselves with the climbing equipment at the base camp. We will cover basic techniques such as rope work, common knots and different rescue systems. In the afternoon, we will trek up to the Mirador peak, as a form of acclimatisation.

DAY THREE

Ascent of the Pyramid Peak. During this ascent, we will put into practise the following skills

Rope work and how to safely travel across the glacier
Different uses for the ice axe
The correct way to walk and climb with crampons
Preparation of anchor points in the ice (using ice screws)
Static and dynamic securing of you partners

DAY FOUR

Further practise on the glacier. As well as practising the skills learned the previous day, we will also introduce some new more advanced techniques:

More advanced uses of the ice axe (anchors, as a rescue tool etc.)
Crevasse rescue techniques
Recuperation of screws from anchor points
Practise of abseiling

DAY FIVE

Summit of Pequeno Alpamayo. Departing early from base camp, we put all our skills into practise to reach the summit of this beautiful peak. Each person will rotate between leading the route, whilst always under the supervision of your instructors. After reaching the summit (5,350m), we return to base camp.

DAY SIX

Final skills practise at the base camp. Today we will cover the different techniques involved in transporting injured people from the mountain, including making a stretcher with your rope and the different ways to carry a person. After lunch, we will break camp and make our way back to the vehicle, and return to La Paz.