Alpamayo Expedition – Peru

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Guided Climb of the French Direct

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Long considered one of the world’s most beautiful mountains, Alpamayo remains one of mountaineering’s most coveted summits. Situated in the “Himalayas of South America,” the Cordillera Blanca is much more accessible than its Asian counterpart, yet there are scores of peaks over 19,000 feet and 6000 meters.  This expedition takes advantage of the rich Peruvian culture and the magnificent alpine terrain to climb the French Direct on the Southwest Face of Alpamayo.

Similar to it’s neighboring route up the fluted face – the now seldom climbed Ferrari Route – the French Direct is characterized by steep snow and ice climbing up to 70 degrees.  This now preferred ascent route offers less objective hazard and is a more direct line to the summit on Alpamayo’s SW face.  After our summit climb, we carry our equipment back down to base camp, then retrace our route back to Cashapampa, Caraz, Huaraz and finally to Lima where we depart for home.

Expedition Support: Burros, Porters, & Cooks

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• Our trips are fully supported with burros, porters, and cooks.  This allow us to limit pack weights on the approach to help ease the adjustment to the altitude, and give us a greater chance for success on the climbs.[/fancy_list][image_frame style=”framed_shadow” align=”right” alt=”Clearing the cornice ” title=”Alpamayo” height=”320″ width=”263″]https://dev.mtnguide.net/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/alpamayo-2.jpg[/image_frame]

After spending a day in Huaraz (9,800′) checking and repacking gear, we drive north along the foot of the mountains to the trailhead of the beautiful Quebrada Santa Cruz, passing Huascaran on our way.   We trek up the Santa Cruz valley for two days to Quebrada Arhuaycocha, below the rugged and majestic peaks of Taulliraju and Artesonraju.  Here we will place our base camp in preparation for our climb of Alpamayo.   We begin by carrying up to an intermediate camp called “campo moraina” or moraine camp.  From moraine camp, we catch a glimpse of the first steep snow climbing between high camp and the col between Alpamayo and Quitaraju. Once established at the col camp, we prepare for our summit bid.

The SJMG Difference

SJMG has been running programs in Peru’s Cordillera Blanca since the late 90’s. As a result, we have developed an in-depth understanding of what it takes to manage the overall flow and logistics of the Alpamayo Expedition.  From a refined and time-tested itinerary, and up-to-date and detailed knowledge of the route on Alpamayo’s SW face, to choosing the perfect hotels and other local operators – you can rest assured that our program represents the best in the industry when it comes to the execution of all the little details that help make this a rewarding and successful experience.

[pullquote3 quotes=”true” align=”center” cite=”Erik Weihenmeyer”]As a blind climber, I’ve done expeditions all around the world and dealt with all kinds of local outfitters and guide services; San Juan Mountain Guides is the best![/pullquote3]

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Alpamayo Expedition Itinerary

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Itinerary Note

Over the years, we have refined the Alpamayo Expedition itinerary.  Travel in Peru can, at times, present some unique challenges regarding  program logistics. Therefore, a flexible “easy-going” attitude will serve you well.

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Alpamayo Expedition Equipment List

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• Duffel Bag: Large durable bag for airline and in-country travel and organization.
• Backpack: Internal frame, minimum 60 liters. Guides’ pick: Osprey Aether 60
  
• Sleeping bag: Down or synthetic bag 0 – 20 degrees with compression stuff sack.
• Sleeping Pad:  Closed cell foam pad & Full-length Therm-a-Rest air mattress combo.
• Pocket knife: 2-3 inch blade, simple, light
• Cup/Bowl & Spoon:  Versatile plastic/lexan type.
• Thermos
• Water bottles: 2 liters combined capacity; bottles or bladder.
• Water Bottle Insulators: OR or similar sleeve type water bottle insulators

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Clothing and Personal Equipment

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• Travel Clothing: 2 sets of travel/town clothing is usually sufficient
• Hiking boots: Lightweight hiking boots or approach shoes for acclimatization hikes and around town.
• Socks: 2-3 pair of medium weight wool or synthetic blend socks.
• Base layers: Synthetic t-shirt and synthetic long underwear
• Mid-weight Layer: For over your long underwear and under other external layers.
• Soft shell pants: Warm enough for cool mornings and nights, yet light enough for warm days.
  
• Soft shell jacket: Your workhorse jacket with a hood. Guides’ Pick: OR Alibi Jacket
  
• Insulated Jacket & Pants: Down or synthetic with a hood. Guides’ pick: OR Virtuoso Hoody
  
• Hard shell jacket & pants: waterproof and breathable, no insulation. Guides’ Pick: OR Axiom Jacket
• Gloves: 3 pair. 1 mid-weight, 1 heavy-weight, 1 light-weight. Bring mittens if you get cold hands easily.
• Hand Warmers: 2 – 3 packets
• Hats: one with brim, one for warmth
• Balaclava or BUFF
• Sunglasses: With Category 4 lenses.
• Sunscreen and lip balm: water/sweat-proof. SPF 50 or higher recommended.
• Headlamp: with extra batteries.
• Toiletries: Toilet paper, baggie for used TP, toothbrush/paste, wet wipes, hand sanitizer, etc.
• Personal first-aid kit: for your personal meds/needs; guide will have a large one as well
• Stuff sacks: for convenient packing
• Digital Camera
• Book and/or iPod/iPad
• Lunch food May include: dried meats, cheese, trail mix, candy bars, peanut butter, etc…

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Climbing Equipment

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• Adjustable Trekking Poles
• Harness
• Belay Device: ATC Guide or similar.
• Locking carabiner (2)
• Non-locking carabiners (2)
• Two Double Shoulder Slings (120 cm. nylon)
• Helmet
• Boots: Climbing Double boots.
• Crampons: Step in crampons
• Ice Axes: 2 Technical Ice Tools
• Spinner Leashes

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Training & Follow Up Climbs

As always, being in excellent physical shape is an important component of our our programs. A good mixture of cardiovascular fitness, muscular fitness, and especially core strength will help you to maximize the potential rewards that are possible on a great climbing trip.

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[dropcap1 variation=”deepblue”]1[/dropcap1]Before Your Expedition

The Alpamayo Expedition requires our participants to have previous technical climbing experience.  At a minimum, participants should have completed our Intermediate Ice Climbing Course and a few days of Private Ice Guiding on ice routes such as Stairway to Heaven and Whorehouse Ice Hose.  Additionally, team members on this expedition should have previous multi-day expedition experience on climbs such as Ecuador’s Volcanoes, Denali’s West Buttress, or similar climbs in Alaska’s Ruth Gorge.

We take the screening for the Alpamayo climb seriously, so please get in touch with our office if you have any questions about your fitness for the climb.  Team members should engage in a rigorous cardiovascular and upper/lower body training regimen.  The Alpine Training Center in Boulder as well as Cold Fear have excellent training resources available to aspiring alpinists.

For the Alpamayo Expedition you should be ready for:

• Travel in a South American country
• Climbing 55 – 70 degree neve & ice at altitudes up to 6000 meters
• 12 – 15 hour summit days and early alpine starts
• Fickle weather, cold temperatures, warm temperatures, delays, other factors beyond our control

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• Denali’s West Rib
• Cody, WY Ice Climbing
• Moose’s Tooth – Ham n’ Eggs
• Ouray Ice Climbing – Private Guiding

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[pullquote3 quotes=”true” align=”center” cite=”N. Subashki. 2011 Private Program”]I hope that I might be able to get out to Ouray again before ice season ends. If so, I’ll definitely get in touch with you. Working with the local experts really makes a difference. Thanks again for everything![/pullquote3][/tab]

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Huaraz, Peru: Getting There

For the purposes of practicality, all of our Peru: Cordillera Blanca programs begin and end in Lima, Peru.  However, we spend minimal time in Lima and quickly transfer our program to Huaraz (9,800′) at the base of the Cordillera Blanca.  Each climbing season (May – September), hundreds of climbers descend on Huaraz and utilize the relatively modern South American city as a base of operations from which to organize climbs and treks throughout the nearby Cordillera Blanca.  Our itinerary calls for travel to Huaraz by either 1st class bus or private vehicle.  Participants may also choose to fly into Huaraz, connecting through Lima.

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Flights: We require our participants to fly into Lima, Peru. The International Airport is a busy hub for airline travel and many options exist. Most flights from the US to Lima originate in either Miami, FL or Houston, TX.  We quickly exit Lima and transfer to Huaraz by either 1st class bus or private vehicle.

Driving: We’ve never had trip participants actually drive to Peru from the US. Although it is entirely possible, we can’t recommend this option.

Hotels: We provide lodging in Peru for the duration of the program.

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Additional Information

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• Cost Includes:[/fancy_list]

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• Guiding and trip leadership with bi-lingual guides
• Ground Transportation in Peru
• All in-country lodging
• Burros, porters, and cooks
• Park entrance fees
• Breakfasts and dinners in the mountains
• Group climbing equipment (ropes, etc.)

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• Not Included:[/fancy_list]

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• Transportation to Lima, Peru
• Additional hotel costs before or after the program or those not planned on the itinerary
• Personal Lunch Food
• Meals or drinks in towns, cities, and hotels
• Trip cancellation insurance – recommended
• Personal alpine climbing clothing
• Costs associated with early returns, weather delays, or other factors beyond our control
• Final transfer from Lima hotel to airport
• Guide gratuity

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• Registration and Cancellation:

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• You will need to fill out our Expedition Application, cancellation policy agreement, and liability waiver, and send it to us with a 50% deposit as early as possible prior to the expedition date. Balance is due on the first day of the course. Please click on our Registration link to access the required forms.

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[pullquote3 quotes=”true” align=”center” cite=”Tanya H. Expedition 2010″]He was very thorough and safety conscious. I would highly recommend Nate to anyone and would love to travel again with him on another trip. Happy adventuring![/pullquote3]

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