Mountaineering course
Bolivian Mountain Guide 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
Day 1.- 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 2.- 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 3.- 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 4.- 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 5.- 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 6.- 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.
