Ojos Del Salado Rapid Ascent™


Ojos De Salado Rapid Ascent™

This expedition is a combination of climbing one of the highest peaks in South America with Alpenglow’s Rapid Ascent™ program to create the ideal 9-day climbing trip.
By utilizing Hypoxico‘s altitude training tents at home for 4-weeks prior to the expedition, along with unparalleled logistics in Chile perfected over decades of leading expeditions to the greater ranges of the world, we can provide a world-class expedition to a remote volcano in roughly half the time it normally takes to climb this peak.
- Day 1
-
Fly to Santiago
Leave your home for Chile, arriving in Santiago (1,870’/570m) in the evening. Our guides will pick you up and bring you to the hotel.
- Day 2
-
Transport to Santa Rosa Lake
After an early breakfast at the hotel, we will fly to Copiapó. From Copiapó we will drive (5 hrs) to Santa Rosa Lake. From here, we have the option for a scenic hike near the lake or a visit to the salt flats and flamingo sightseeing. After touring for half the day, we spend the afternoon preparing for our climb of Ojos del Salado, practicing fixed line techniques, and organizing gear. We spend the night at our campsite (11,811’/3600m).
- Day 3
-
Overnight at Laguna Verde
From our campsite in Santa Rosa, we will take a 2 hr Jeep ride to Laguna Verde (2hrs). Climb Mulas Muertas in the afternoon (8 to 10hrs roundtrip to 18,897’/5760m). We overnight in our campsite (13,780’/4200m).
- Day 4
-
Rest day at Basecamp
Today we drive (2 hrs) to Basecamp at 16,732’/5,100m, continue practicing our skills, and let our bodies further acclimatize. We spend the afternoon resting, hydrating, eating, and getting to bed early before our push to the summit of Ojos del Salado.
- Day 5
-
Summit Day
After a midnight wake-up call, we begin our climb scrambling a rock ridge to the upper glacier. From there moderate slopes lead to another steep headwall. Often icy, this slope will require all of our climbing techniques to make it to the top. From the summit (22,615’/6893m), we descend to basecamp for a celebratory evening.
- Day 6
-
Extra Weather Day
Extra weather day
- Day 7
-
Extra Weather Day
Extra Weather Day
- Day 8
-
Transfer to Copiapó
Transfer to Copiapó – Today we sleep in, eventually waking to the smell of fresh coffee. When we are ready, we return to Copiapó for dinner, and we will fly back to Santiago around 10pm. We spend the night in a hotel in Santiago.
- Day 9
-
Last Day
Today, we pack up and say our farewells.