Huayna Potosi | Andes

Popular snow-capped, 19,974-foot peak in Bolivia

0 ft

Elevation

Bolivia

Country

Days

3B

Difficulty

Early May

Start

Late July

End

About the Mountain

WHY CLIMB IT?

If you’re looking to improve your technical mountaineering skills gaining experience at altitude, look no further than Huayna Potosi (19,974 ft) in Bolivia. While you should have intermediate skills (roped travel, crampon use, ice axe arrests, etc.) before taking on this exotic mountain, Huayna Potosi is more accessible than you might think. With some of the most stable mountain weather in the world and high-quality guiding services available, there’s little reason not to make it to the top if you take time to acclimatize properly. Many climbers choose to go beyond Huayna Potosi, in fact, and climb the highest mountain in the Cordillera Real: Illimani (21,122 ft).

“Even if we didn't make it to the summit, this place is breathtakingly beautiful!”

- Matt Sherwood

While the Cordillera Real may be off-the-beaten-track, climbing there is well worth adding to your bucket list. It’s one of the world’s least climbed major mountain ranges, meaning you won’t have to deal with overcrowding and premium guide prices. At the same time, it offers remote, varied terrain comparable in quality to the Alps. As an added benefit, you can visit Lake Titicaca after your expedition and relax waterside with views of high-altitude peaks in the distance.