04 Days/03 Nights May to August Experience required Chopicalqui is Demanding
Highlights of the Cordillera Blanca. The highest tropical mountain range in the world, the Cordillera Blanca is part of the spectacular Andes that form the spine of South America. A mecca for hikers and outdoor enthusiasts, the region boasts over 50 peaks that exceed 15,000 feet, 700 glaciers and 300 lakes.
About Chopicalqui Peak:
Chopicalqui is the third peak of the Huascarán Massif, also located in the Cordillera Blanca, between the two peaks of Huascarán and Contrahierbas. With an elevation of 6,345 meters, it is the fifth highest mountain in the department (administrative region) of Ancash, and the fourth highest in the Cordillera Blanca. It is a demanding mountain with some technical climbing and this requires previous climbing experience.
Ascent of Chopicalqui (20,847 ft.)/(6354 m) via the classic Southwest Ridge, On the summit of Chopicalqui many consider this to be the best view in the Cordillera Blanca.
Chopicalqui is appropriate for people with significant experience and alpine skills - managing rope and crampons on snow and ice walls and with good safety technique. In some years there can be steep sections of ice climbing that require the use of two ice axes and previous experience in their use is recommended.
Day 1: Huaraz (3100 m) - Transfer via Quebrada Llanganuco - Trekking to Chopicalqui Base Camp (4350 m) - Continuing Ascend to Chopicalqui Moraine Camp (4900 m)
Day 2: Moraine Camp - Ascend to Chopicalqui High Camp (5350 m)
Day 3: High Camp - Ascend to Chopicalqui Summit (6345 m) - Base Camp (4350m)
Day 4: Base Camp Chopicalqui - Transfer via Quebrada Llanganuco - Huaraz
Day 1: Huaraz (3100 m) - Transfer via Quebrada Llanganuco - Ascend to Chopicalqui Moraine Camp (4900 m)
After breakfast we begin to prepare our mountaineering equipment; Huaraz (3100 m) - Transfer via Quebrada Llanganuco - Trekking to Chopicalqui Base Camp (4350 m) - Continuing Ascend to Chopicalqui Moraine Camp (4900 m), with our private transport which will take 3-3.5 hours and the climb to Moraine Camp of Chopicalqui trekking up which will take 5 hours. Overnight Camp (-/L/D)
Day 2: Moraine Camp - Ascend to Chopicalqui High Camp (5350 m)
First we climb over the rocky moraine to the glacier. Then over the different slopes of the glacier, crossing various crevasses to camp on the glacier at High Camp. 5-6 hours. Overnight Camp (B/L/D)
Day 3: High Camp - Ascend to Chopicalqui Summit (6345 m) - Base Camp (4350m)
Chopicalqui is a demanding mountain, and the culmination of our expedition. Climb to the summit. There are seracs and crevasses to cross and sections of technical walls to climb. On the final section we have some 8-10 meters of 75º -80º slope. Descend to High Camp or Moraine Camp and continue to Base Camp. 10-13 hours today. Overnight Camp (B/L/D)
Day 4: Base Camp Chopicalqui - Transfer via Quebrada Llanganuco - Huaraz
Today we prepare to leave early, from Moraine Camp or Base Camp to the highway, where we find our private bus. Now is the time to say goodbye to the Llanganuo Valley. Lodging at the hotel in Huaraz. Overnight Hotel (B/L/-)
Included meals: B=breakfast; L=lunch; D=dinner
Season: May to August
Difficulty: Experience required Chopicalqui is demanding
Climbing Nevado Pisco (Western 5752 m)
Expedition Nevados Urus (5495 m), Ishinca (5530 m) and Tocllaraju (6034 m)
Expedition Nevado Huascarán (6768 m), the highest peak of Peru