Bolivia: Bond and Team Say Their Farewell
Posted by: Andy Bond, Henry Coppolillo
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Bolivia
It's been a whirlwind of a last couple of days for us,
Once we arrived at basecamp of Illimani and saw the conditions up close, we realized how icy, firm and steep conditions were on the route. Our local IFMGA guide Javier who has been guiding in Bolivia since 1982 said it was the worst conditions he's ever seen. Climbing Illimani is a serious undertaking that has taken the lives of numerous climbers over the years. With the conditions we were faced with, it was clear then that the risks associated with making a summit attempt were simply too high, and that Illimani would have to wait.
We decided as a group to not attempt the climb but take the next day to all climb to high camp at 17,800' (called the Condor's Nest). On our hike up the rocky ridge, we were graced by a rare sighting of an Andean Condor overhead. We enjoyed another beautiful night in basecamp next a peaceful creek, where llamas grazed in the fields around our tents.
The next day we made the long trip back on the windy dirt roads to La Paz where we enjoyed some really good pizza and not so good beer (unless you like sours). With the program drawing to a close a day early, it gave people an extra day to explore everything Bolivia had to offer. Most of our time here had been spent in the high mountains and the highlands that are typically over 14,500'. Yesterday we made the long descent some 3500m down into the rainforest and jungle on the eastern side of Bolivia, where we wound up at a wildlife refuge. Breathing the thick heavy air at 4000' and lush green jungle and coca farms it felt like we had entered a different country.
Although we weren't able to summit our last peak, the group was able to climb Pequeno Alpamayo and Huayna Potosi, which are two impressive peaks in one of the most underrated parts of the Andes. Bolivia is home to some of the most amazing mountains and friendliest most welcoming people. It was great to be back here after 5 years and to share it with such a great group of people. We're looking forward to returning to Bolivia in 2025!
RMI Guides Henry and Andy
Comments (1)
What an amazing time you had!
Posted by: Sheila Forsyth on