Ken_Abeldt

Hey! Scott, The most expensive thing is going to be the airfare. The cheapest we've found is Ameican Airlines for $1,200 round trip. I'm thinking about $1,000 for the three weeks, but would suggest maybe $1,500 just in-case your having too much fun! Adios! Elwood

We're planning the trip for the last 3-weeks of July.

I'm looking for climbing partners to join a non-comercial, un-guided trip to "The Andes of Bolivia". This will be a 3-week trip. I'd like to spend the first 2-days in La Paz, relaxing, checking it out, & making arrangements. Then head to Copacabana (4-hrs. by bus). Stay the night & enjoy this town on the southern shores of Lake Titicaca. Next, hike to Yampupata (4-hrs.), then jump on a rowboat for a short ride to Isla del Sol. We'll spend 2-days exploring this wonderful little island, then back to La Paz, for what we came for "The Mountains". I'd like to spend 14 to 16-days attempting the following peaks: Pequeno Alpamayo (17,618ft.), in The Condoriri Group, this will be a fantastic area to acclimatize in & also a great mountain to climb! Next, Huayna Potosi (19,974ft.), some guide books describe this mountain as one of the easier (6,000m.) peaks, but I think this will be a good mountain to step-up the altitude a little. Finally, Illimani (21,125ft.), which dominates the views from the capital city of La Paz, & is the most sought after peak in Bolivia! All 3 of these mountains are in The Cordillera Real Range & are only 2 or 3 hours from La Paz. Feel free to contact me with questions or suggestions at: jandk@access995.com

I know what you mean about still looking. I've been planning a trip to Bolivia for about a year & was getting some good responses prior to Sept. From then on out It's been very slow. In-fact about a month ago, I was thinking of cancelling the trip. Now all of a sudden, I seem to have enough people for a strong team. We'll be going the last 3-weeks of July. By the way, I enjoyed reading your post, long winded, but had some good info. If I have any questions concerning Bolivia, would you mind if I shot them your way? Adios! Elwood

Hey! Capt. Caveman, Bolivia is one of the few countries in South America to have about the same time frame for climbing as North America. I thought it was strange myself at first, but their dry southern winter runs from May to September. Mneagle, Thanks for the note on your trip report, I'll check it out, & if I have questions I'll get back to you.

T.G. As for dates, I would like to leave as near of the beginning of June as possible, but could wait till the middle of June. This will all depend on everyone's schedule. I'm pretty flexible, I would just like to be down there, when the conditions are the most favorable. That's a great price for airline tickets!

Drew, Lets keep in-touch & share some info. before we leave. My e-mail address is at the beginning of this post. What are your plans for Bolivia & Peru, & what have you found out thus-far? If your going to be in Bolivia June & July, you'll have to e-mail me from down there to let me know of your where-abouts in La Paz.

Hey! T.G. & Tex, Yes, your right about being expensive. I just climbed Aconcagua this last Feb. With two other guys, we went un-guided up the normal route which reminded me of a high altitude Mt. Whitney. Lots of people & not much solitude, but that's o.k as long as you are aware of this before hand. For me it was a very social mountain, with people from all over the world there. I really had a good time, we also had some great weather, which made life easier. The most expensive aspect of it was, hiring mules, but I'm glad we did. The mule service we used came highly recomended by a friend who's been guiding on Aconcagua for 15 yrs. It was a good choice, he was very trust worthy & dependable. All of their prices were similar, so I would go with the one you trust. Ours was Sr. Daniel Alessio, here's his email if your interested: alessio@lanet.losandes.com.ar We were in Ecuador about 3 yrs ago & we spent 1/2 as much money as we just did in Argentina & Chile, but nobody got sick on this trip, unlike Ecuador, where we all got some bad food poisoning. Food & accomodations were more expensive, but I think well worth it! If you need any additional info. let me know.

DKemp, Any info. you could give me, would be appreciated. As you can read from my post, info on the following would help: Hotel, resturants, & things to do in & around La Paz & Lake Titicaca. Transportation to & from the mountains. Climbing routes, & security issues while at basecamps. Thanks, Ken Abeldt

Hey! T.G., I was thinking about Sajama, Parinacota, & Pomerata at first until I kept hearing about the lack of water, & their distances from La Paz. I figured I'd plan a easier trip logistically this time. Then if I enjoy the country & it's people, I'll return for the others. Lets keep in touch, maybe we can get together down there, & also possibly share info. while these trips are in the planning phases.

I'm looking for 2 or 3 climbing partners to join a non-commercial, un-guided trip to "The Andes of Bolivia". This will be a 3-week trip, I'd like to spend the 1st. 14 to 16 days attempting the following mountains: Pequeno Alpamayo (17,618ft.) in The Condoriri Group, this will be a fantastic area to acclimatize in & also a great mountain to climb. Next, Huayna Potosi (19,974ft.), some guide books describe this mountain as one of the easier (6,000m.) peaks, but I think this will be a good mountain to step-up the altitude a little. Finally, Illimani (21,125ft.), which dominates the views from the capital city of La Paz, & is the most sought after peak in Bolivia! All 3 of these mountains are in The Cordillera Real Range & are only 2 to 3 hrs. from La Paz. After all the torture, I'd like to spend 4 or 5 days relaxing & checking out Lake Titicaca. My plans for this area are as follows: Catch a bus (4-hrs.) to Copacabana, stay the night & enjoy this town on the southern shore of the lake. Next, hike to Yampupata (4-hrs.), then jump on a rowboat for a short ride to Isla del Sol (Island of the Sun). We'll spend 2-days exploring this wonderful little island. Then unfortunately, back home & back to work. Feel free to contact me with any questions or suggestions at: jandk@access995.com

mneagle, Thanks for the reply. Any info you could give me on hotels & what to do or see around La Paz or Lake Titicaca, would be appreciated. As far as climbing goes, I think this will be a good schedule for our first trip to Bolivia. If I enjoy the country & the whole scene. I'll be planning another trip to attempt Sajama, Pomerata, & Parinacota at a later time.

I'm looking for 2 or 3 climbing partners to join a non-commercial, un-guided trip to "The Andes of Bolivia". This will be a 3-week trip, I'd like to spend the 1st. 2-weeks or so attempting the following mountains: Pequeno Alpamayo (17,618ft.) in The Condoriri Group, this will be a fantastic area to acclimatize in, & also a great mountain to climb! Next, Huayna Potosi (19,974ft.), some guide books describe this as one of the easier (6,000m.) peaks, but I think this will be a good mountain to step-up the altitude a little. Finally, Illimani (21,125ft.), which dominates the views from the capital city of La Paz, & is the most sought after peak in Bolivia! All 3 of these mountains are in The Cordillera Real Range & are only 2 to 3 hrs. from La Paz. After all the torture, I'd like to spend 4 or 5 days relaxing & checking out Lake Titicaca. My plans for this area are as follows: Catch a bus (4-hrs.) to Copacabana, stay the night & enjoy this town on the southern shore of the lake. Next, hike to Yampupata (4-hrs.), then jump on a rowboat for a short ride to Isla del Sol (Island of the Sun). We'll spend 2-days exploring this wonderful little island. Then unfortunately back home & back to work. Feel free to contact me with any questions or suggestions at: jandk@access995.com

I'm looking for 2 or 3 climbing "team" members to join a non-commercial, un-guided trip to Bolivia for 3-weeks in June of 2002. I would like to attempt the following mountains: Pequeno Alpamayo (17,618ft.), Huayna Potosi (19,974ft.), & Illimani (21,125ft.). Then after all the torture, I'd like to spend 4 or 5 days exploring Copacabana, & Isla del Sol on Lake Titicaca. Feel free to contact me with any questions or suggestions.

I'm planning a non-comercial, un-guided trip to Bolivia for June 2002. I'm looking for first hand info. on climbing & logistics down there. I've already read The Climbing Guide by Yossi Brain, & The Lonely Planet Book on Bolivia. Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks, Ken!