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21,484 feet/6,550 meters
SOCCER MATCH ON THE TOP OF SAJAMA !!! The participants of this world record included members of the Bolivian Andean Club, High Altitude Pathology Institute, Military Geographical Institution, bolivian mountain guides and porters, television crews like CNN, ESPN, Television Boliviana and international press among others. ¨about half an hour later, and with tremendous excitement, we saw the fireworks, tiny smoke spots as they blasted high above the Sajama summit. They had played the first half time of an historic game! And these young formidable men, that had followed the instructions precisely, would show the world their incredible capacity for exercise at extreme altitudes ...¨ It stands alone as an eroded volcano, dominating over all other mountains in the area. This is a truly beautiful climb and a slightly harder ascent in icy years than any of the other major peaks in the Cordillera Occidental. Although most routes on this mountain are straightforward, strong winds and high altitude make this a challenging summit . A unique approach, through desert to an altogether different high Andean mountain, makes Bolivia's highest summit, a worthwhile climb.
HIGHLIGHTS:
SUITABLE FOR:
Itenerary Day 1. In the morning we depart La Paz bound for the Village of Sajama 4,250m (13,944 ft) situated near the base of Volcan Sajama. Travel is via 4x4 vehicles for approximately five hours. We arrive at the village of Sajama and we load up our mules and set out on foot for a short hike to basecamp 4,800m (15,749 ft). by the Rio Aychuta. The remaining afternoon can be spent taking a few photos or just relaxing. Day 2. After a late breakfast, expedition members depart basecamp bound for high camp 5,800m (19,030 ft). The route involves a series of traverses through rock scree, snowfields and massive andesite towers. High camp is reached after 4 hours of travel. Once again, as the sun goes down and dinner is served the temperature drops dramatically. High Camp is normally very windy. Day 3. After a pre-dawn wake up, we rope up and ascend in order to reach the summit. We´ll go up in a snow gully that leads straight up to a ridge. This ridge leads to the broad base of the snow dome, sometimes we have to deal with ¨penitentes¨ (snow spikes). After ascending for 8 hours, the expedition arrives at the summit. After a well-deserved round of congratulations and photos, the expedition begins the 3 to 4 hour descent to basecamp. Day 4. Today the expedition departs basecamp on foot for the short hike to trailhead where we immediately load up into the 4x4 vehicles for the five-hour journey back to La Paz. Plenty of photo opportunities are available as we traverse the Cordillera Occidental on our way back to the capital city. LAND COSTS INCLUDE:
LAND COSTS DO NOT INCLUDE:
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Bolivian Journeys: P.O. Box 4938 Phone 591-72014900 |
