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Climbing Cerro Walther Penck (Cerro Tipas) in northern Argentina, 18 days

Climbing Cerro Walther Penck (Cerro Tipas) in northern Argentina, 18 days
Climbing Cerro Walther Penck (Cerro Tipas) in northern Argentina, 18 days
Climbing Cerro Walther Penck 3
Climbing Cerro Walther Penck 2
climbing Cerro Walther Penck

Climbing Cerro Walther Penck is a unique experience that will allow you to discover the wonders of the Andes in northwestern Argentina. Join a certified local guide and enjoy a unique mountaineering adventure.

Private

Andes

18 Days

Jan - Apr, Nov, Dec

High

Intermediate


Highlights

  • Join a unique mountaineering adventure in the Andes mountains.
  • Discover the stunning 6,000 m volcanos in northwestern Argentina.
  • Enjoy climbing Cerro Walther Penck with an experienced local guide.

Description

Would you like to climb one of the most stunning stratovolcanos in the Andes? Then make sure to join this 18-day mountaineering adventure to the top of Cerro Walther Penck in the Catamarca province in Argentina!

Climbing Cerro Walther Penck is a dream come true for any mountaineer. This stunning peak is also known as Cerro Tipas and Cerro Cazadero. At 6,668 m, it is an amazing mountaineering feat. Set in northwestern Argentina, it is a close neighbor to Ojos del Salado, the highest volcano in the world, and to other high altitude volcanos in the region.  Stratovolcanoes, lava domes, and lava flows are part of the Walther Penk landscape.

For this adventure, we will meet in Fiámbala, in La Rioja. From there, we will set off on a thrilling 18-day mountaineering challenge. Although climbing Cerro Walther Penck is not technically challenging, you will need a good fitness level. Of course, we will be there to help and guide you on the way. You can find a complete itinerary of this program below. Additionally, keep in mind that you can combine this program with an Incahuasi, Pissis, or Ojos del Saldo climb as well.

Climbing Cerro Walther Penk is an unforgettable mountaineering challenge, are you up for it? Then make sure to book your place now and start planning your adventure!

We also offer an 18-day ascent of Tupungato in Mendoza!

Price includes

  • Accommodation included
  • Guiding fee
  • Breakfast
  • Lunch
  • Dinner
  • Transport during the trip
  • Transportation start and back
  • Tents
  • Cooking utensils
  • Snacks

Price details

  • Also included: solar panels, VHF radio communications, Satellite Phone (for emergencies only), First aid kits and pulse oximeter for daily updates of acclimatization progress.
  • Not included: Personal porters or common equipment.
  • All expenses arising from the abandonment of the trip.
  • Meals, drinks and other expenses not mentioned in the itinerary at the farewell dinner.
  • Personal equipment and sleeping bag.
  • Personal Medication
  • Air and land evacuations
  • Room Service, Laundry, Beverages, Internet, telephone and satellite communications, personal elements
  • Insurance of Civil Liability, Hospitalization or medication of any kind,
  • any other service.

Itinerary

Day 1: La Rioja - Fiambalá

reception at La Rioja Airport and / or bus terminal.

Departure to Fiambalá. 11:00 pm Dinner at “Restaurant Roma” Fiambalá 1,600m.

Accommodation at Hostel San Pedro, 1,600m.

Day 2: Fiambalá - Pastos Largos o Cortaderas

Breakfast, transfer to Cortaderas Refugio Pescadores 3,200m. Lunch, Picada. Free trekking for a couple of hours. Dinner.

Day 3: Cortaderas

Breakfast. Beginning of the Ascent to Cerro Pastos Largos  (4,200 m) and Coquena (4,000m). Return to the Pescadores Shelter. Dinner: Asado.

Day 4: Pastos Largos - Las Grutas

Breakfast. Transfer to Las Grutas in 4 × 4. Arrival Road Shelter prior to Customs control at 4,200m. Free trekking with hot springs and photos of the Lagoons with Flamingos. Showers. Dinner: Pasta

Day 5: Falso Morocho Ascent

Breakfast. Falso Morocho Ascent (4,500 m) and Quitapenas (4,000m). 4 hours. Return to 4,200m Road Shelter. Dinner

Day 6: Bertrand Ascent

Breakfast. Cerro Bertrand ascent 5.350m. 6 hours. Return to 4,200m Road Shelter. 21.00 Dinner

Day 7: Las Grutas - BC Walter Penck Arenal 5,200m

Breakfast. Transfer to Arenal BC by El Quemadito – 8 hours. BC at 5,200m. BC setup, free trekking and photos.

Day 8: (Advanced Base Camp) 5,600m Arenal Oeste

Day 9: Rest day or Porter day

We can either rest or start transferring equipment.

Day 10: Salto 5.900m

After breakfast we will move to the Alto field – 5,900m, we will install the camp and spend the night in that field.

Day 11: Alto camp rest day

Day 12 to 14: Alto - Summit 6.658m - Alto

Very early in the morning, we will leave for the summit. We will ascend through a huge glacier, and depending on the snow conditions, we will choose the appropriate sector to move forward. Upon reaching the summit, we will appreciate the neighboring summits, Ojos del Salado, Monte Pissis, Incahuasi, among others.

Day 15: Descent to base camp 5,200m

Day 16: BC to Fiambalá

BC to Fiambalá – Cabins in Las Termas. Farewell asado.

Day 17: Fiambalá - La Rioja

Fiambalá – La Rioja: 4pm Farewell of the Group in the Catamarca Terminal

Day 18: Arrival at Buenos Aires or Mendoza

Arrival to Buenos Aires and / or Arrival to Mendoza according to choice.

 

Equipment you will need to bring

Water bottle

Backpack

Sunglasses

Goggles

Feet: 1 pair of comfortable trekking boots. 4 pairs of outer socks (thick wool or polypropylene). 3 pairs of indoor socks (fine silk or polypropylene). 2 pairs of cotton socks (for approach to base camp). Sandals to cross the rivers. Leggings. Legs: 2 synthetic thin pants (polypropylene or nylon). 1 polar pants (recommended long zippers). 1 Waterproof pants, such as Gore-Tex, with recommended side closures. 1 comfortable trekking pants. Shorts (optional). Upper part of the body: 2 shirts Thermal Base Layer (polypropylene or capilene). 1 polar jersey (polaretec 100 or 200, or similar). 1 fleece jacket or similar. 1 coat jacket for -30 ° C / -22 ° F (below recommended). 1 Windbreaker jacket with hood (as Gore-Tex). 3 Cotton T-shirts or T-shirts. 2 Neck protection made of synthetic material (Buff or similar). Head: 1 hat or sun hat. 1 Cap (wool or fleece). 1 balaclava gaterneck. 1 pair of glasses with factor 4 protection (with UV filter and nose and side protection). 1 Ski goggles. Hands: 2 pairs of thermal indoor gloves (polypropylene or capilene). 1 pair of insulated gloves large fingers type ski that enter the interiors below. 1 pair of insulating gloves (wool, down or Polarguard). 1 more pair of gloves (like Gore-Tex, only if your mittens are not made of windproof material). 1 pair of warm covers. Personal Equipment: 1 Comfortable expedition backpack (70 liters / 4,250 cubic centimeters minimum). 1 backpack of 35 or 45 liters (for the approach to the base camp). 1 large extra strong canvas duffel bag (to be transported by mules to the base camp, at least 6,000 cubic centimeters. Large enough to fit all your equipment) Sleep: 1 Sleeping bag for -30 ° C / -22 ° F (below or Polarguard). 1 inflatable mat (Thermarest or similar). 1 Mat (only if you bring a Thermarest, to avoid a burst). Climbing Equipment: 1 pair of plastic boots. NOTE: Climbing or double plastic boots are the best option for high altitude Koflach Arctic expedition, Vega Scarpa or Asolo AFS 8000 are good examples of plastic boots. Ask us about these new models such as La Sportiva Nuptse, the 2000 Basque ice or the Salomon Pro thermal.1 pair of crampons (12 points, not rigid recommended). 1 Pair of trekking poles (adjustable preferred). 1 climbing helmet. Other: 1 head lamp, with spare batteries and bulb. Lip blocker and sunscreen (not less than 50 sun protection factor). Personal crockery (plate, cup, fork and spoon). 2 bottles of water (32 ml / 1 liter Nalgene recommended. Insulator Water bottle is required). 1 One-liter or half-liter stainless steel thermos (useful for high altitude camps and Summit Day). 2 hand warmers (summit day). 2 foot warmers (summit day). 1 Hydration system (such as CamelBak, for trekking approach to the base camp only, because at the height they freeze) OPTIONAL: Personal care items (small towel and soap, baby wipes). 2 hand warmers (summit day). Books, IPod, games or anything that helps distract. 1 Camera, memory cards and spare batteries. Earplugs (for windy nights). Pee bottle with wide mouth (32 ml / 1 liter Nalgene recommended. Very useful in height fields). Swimsuit (for the hotel pool). Swiss type knife.Your favorite energy bars. Money. Storage belt. Contact Lenses and spare accessories.


About the guide

Guide profile image

Luciano

5.0

(4)

Mountain Guide

EPGAMT Mountain Guide from Mendoza, Argentina.

I always enjoyed the mountains, and started with mountaineering activities since a young age, so it was natural for me to become a mountain guide. I’ve been working for more than 15 seasons in Aconcagua, first as porter, then as Mountain Guide assistant, and now as Mountain Guide.

I climbed a lot of peaks all along the Andes mountain range, in Argentina, Chile, Bolivia and Peru, including Aconcagua (6.962 mt – 27 ascents, through different routes like the North and the Polish glacier-), Co Plata (6.000 mt), Ojos del Salado (6.780 mt), Mount Pissis (6.850 m), C° LLullaillaco (6.723 m), C° Incahuasi (6.450 m), Vn Sajama (6.550 m), Vn Bonete Chico (6 750 m), Co Junción (5000 m), Toclaraju ( 6036m), Pisco (5750m), and the three summits of Tres Cruces 6.780m. I recently did my first expedition in the Himalayas, where I reached the summit of Mt Lhotse (8.516 mt).

I usually enjoy organizing expeditions to wild, off-the-beaten-track destinations, that need a complex logistic that you won’t find easily elsewhere.

I am fluent in Spanish, English and Italian.

Languages

Italian | English

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What people are saying about Luciano

Giuseppe

Francis

both guides..Luciano and Mauricio were first class and so was this fantastic region. I be looking for an encore in the future. Francis Lawrence

Frank

Luciano was excellent. His local knowledge showed as he was able modify the itinerary of the trip as circumstances - such as weather - changed in order to ensure the expedition was a success. He is a deeply experienced mountaineer with sound judgement prepared to provide advice whilst ensuring you have fun. I would highly recommend his services.

Sergio

Personally, was more impressed with the road trip towards the mountain than the mountain itself, but it was definitely worth going. The lunar landscape in this remote area is absolutely awesome. The guide was well prepared, very friendly, and even a surprisingly good cook. The location is as far as you are likely to get from civilisation. The weather was also unusually good. But the mountain is tough and frustrating sliding down every step in the loose gravel and sand. Not everyone's cup of tea


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