Andes Expedition Course
Andes Expedition Course
5-day course that will teach you the basic skills and techniques of mountaineering in a fun and exciting environment through the experience of a short Andes expedition.
5-Day mountaineering course
From US $ 900.00 p.p
Highlights
Explore the heart of the Andes Range.
Climb 4 Andean summits, from 3900 to 4945 meters.
Learn the basics of an Andean Expedition.
Course contents
Expedition planning
Food planning and packing
Personal and communal equipment planning and packing
Itinerary planning
Mountaineering safety
First Hazard Evaluation
Basic Weather
Basic Snow & Avalanches
Basic Mountain Risk (Hail & Lightning, Rock fall, River crossing, Mud slides, etc.)
Munter 3x3
High altitude
Acclimatization to the altitude
High altitude diseases and prevention
High altitude behaviour, how to move?, how to eat?, how to sleep?
Season: November to April
Duration: 5 days / 4 nights. Starts and ends in Santiago, Chile.
Group size: Private course for 2 to 4 people
Difficulty
No prior experience is necessary to participate. The course may involve physical and technical challenges. It includes a high camp at 4.000 meters, which can be a tough night. You will need to carry a big backpack, up to 12 kg, from base camp to high camp. The expedition includes reaching an almost 5000m summit, that is a long day and challenging climb. Good physical shape is mandatory.
RATES
2 people US $ 1,665.00 each
3 people US $ 1,245.00 each
4 people US $ 1,035.00 each
Based on double room / tent accommodation.
Included in the price
Private transportation throughout
Bilingual instructor / mountain guide
Accommodation and meals as mentioned in the itinerary.
High quality communal camping and mountaineering gear
First aid kit and pulse oximeter
VHF radio communication.
Satellite phone (on pay per minute basis).
Day by Day example Itinerary
Day 1: SANTIAGO – FARELLONES
Today the instructor will meet you at your hotel at 9am. There will be a briefing of the course and next you will plan together the meals for your expedition. The day keeps going with the purchase and packing of the food. You will get together through the checking of the expedition equipment and its proper packaging. In the afternoon, the team will drive to Farellones, a mountain village located in the heart of the Andes. This first night at 2000 meters over sea level will boost the acclimatization process and allow us to camp at a higher elevation the next day.Lodging: Hut in Farellones 2000m/6560ft
Meals: Dinner
Day 2: SANTIAGO – LA PARVA – EL FRANCISCANO LAGOON
The day starts by meeting our arrieros and handling them the loads to be transported to our base camp. Then a short transfer by car to La Parva ski area, where we start our 2 to 3 hours hike to our base camp, located at the shores of a small lagoon at 3.500m At arrival, you will set up the camp, cook and have time for a hike in the area.Lodging: Camp 3500m/11.480ft
Meals: Breakfast, Box-Lunch, Dinner
Day 3: EL FRANCISCANO LAGOON – EL PINTOR CAMP
Today we will prepare our backpacks with the minimum equipment required for a high camp: your sleeping bag and thermarest, lyophilized food, fuel and stove etc. The instructor will help you to decide what to take and how to pack. Next you will start the climb to the 3 summits of the day. All of them are located on the way to the high camp: La Falsa Parva (3,900m), Cerro La Parva (4,047m) and Cerro El Pintor (4,180m). The weight of our backpacks will be approximately 12 kg. Please note that the high camp is not reachable by the mules at this time of the year. At arrival to our high camp, at the end of the day, we will set up our camp, melt snow for drinkable water and prepare food.Lodging: Camp 4000m/13.125ft
Meals: Breakfast, Box-Lunch, Dinner
Day 4: EL PINTOR CAMP – CERRO LEONERA SUMMIT (4954m) – EL PINTOR CAMP
Today we will reach a 4954 meters summit. It is a non-technical summit, but it may be a strenuous climb due to the altitude, the cold and wind. The instructor will give you the tips to make the most of it and enjoy the day. From the summit you will have fantastic views of the surrounding mountains, the closest one is Cerro El Plomo (5424m). After the climb, we will return to our high camp and rest.Lodging: Camp 4000m/13.125ft
Meals: Breakfast, Box-Lunch, Dinner
Day 5: EL PINTOR CAMP - EL FRANCISCANO LAGOON – SANTIAGO
Today we hike back to our base camp, where we will prepare the loads for the mules and handle them to our arrieros before heading back to la Parva ski area and to our vehicle. Drive back to Santiago and to your hotel.End of our services.
Lodging: Not included 700m/2.296ft
Meals: Breakfast, Box-Lunch