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YRC QUIMSA CRUZ EXPEDITION BOLIVIA, AUGUST 2010
Plans are not fixed but here is a likely outline. Several are already firmly committed to this trip unless their circumstances change. More than a dozen could be accommodated. Expressions of firm interest by the Christmas meet to Michael Smith would be appreciated though later joining may be practicable.
Dates: 7 August 2010 onwards for one, two, three or four weeks
The Quimsa Cruz provides a microcosm of the Andes mountains; summits cloaked in perpetual snows, sweeping glaciers, granite peaks, multi-coloured lakes, deep gorges, woodlands, old tin mines, an immense variety of birds and plants and the mystical (thin) atmosphere of the rugged Andes - unforgettable.
The range, 100km south-east of La Paz, is sometimes called the Tres Cruces and is the one remaining mountain group in Bolivia not yet visited by the YRC in the last 30 years. The trekking is relatively easy.
The trip consists of a series of roughly weekly modules so possible combinations include:
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Tourism
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Tourism
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Tourism
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Tourism
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Tourism
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Tourism
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Trek
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Trek
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Trek
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Trek
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Tourism
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Rock climb
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Rock climb
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Tourism
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Snow climb
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Andean Summits (www.andeansummits.com) handled the logistics for the 1999 trip and we suggest something like the following:
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Day 1
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Arrive in South America. [sort out own flights from £650]
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2
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Around La Paz [hotel, city food, insurance and tourism costs not included]
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Hotel
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3-5
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Walk or bike downhill around La Paz (4100m) and nearby passes
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or
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Kayak-catamaran sailing on LakeTiticaca (3,812m, 12,500ft)
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or
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A drive across the salt flats and altiplano towards Chile (3650m+)
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Hotel, camp or hostel
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6
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Transport out to a trekking area in Quimsa Cruz, Cuchu Mocoya valley
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Camp
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7
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Trek to Mina Nevada. [need own sleeping bag and sleeping mats – carry day sack]
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Camp
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8
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Trek to Aguas Calientes 3300m, 4-5 hours: Initially gentle traverse of the slopes of a large ridge with many ups and downs. After some hours, pass a hamlet on a mountain crest: San Juan Jahuira. Then drop down to a meadow in between granite boulders and small trees. Natural hot spring.
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Camp
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9
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Trek to Alisuni: 3600m 5-6 hours: Contour another large ridge with hamlet atop: Choquetanga Chico. A pre-Columbian trail above mountain abysses, and down into a fascinating high altitude microclimatic woodland. Into valley and pass a trout river, 3300m, then climb a steep abandoned path through forest. Camp at old hacienda.
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Camp
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10-18
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Climbingª:
Trek to Calvariuni and set up Base Camp.
Climb, scramble.
[Cost for climbers’ camp additional 1½× the trek cost]
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or
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Trekkers continue to Vaquería: The region of the Granite Mountains. Steep walls with a pre-Inca path across. Lake surrounded by rocky spires. Camp for trekkers between boulders at Naranjani near the spires of “Penis pass” 4750m, 5-6 hours. [Trek cost Nos/exchange* dependent but perhaps £425 to £550]
Trekking group back to Cuchu Mocoya 6-7 hours: Challenging. Cross the (double) Penis Pass, 5000m, with steep descent to a mine. Drive towards La Paz river canyon to camp.
Transport back to La Paz the next day.
6+ days for tourism (say Cuzco/Machu Picchu, upper Amazonia)
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Base camp + perhaps ABC
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19
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Trek out to Cuchu Mocoya
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Camp
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20
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Transport back to La Paz.
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or
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Transport back to La Paz. Refresh for a day.
A snow climb – perhaps Huayna Potosi (6088m/PD) or Condoriri (5648m/AD+) for a week then return to La Paz
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Hotel
Camp
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21
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Transfer out.
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28
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Transfer out.
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ª Google “Imperial Quimsa Cruz Report” for an impression * payments in US$
Michael Smith |