 |
Dates | December to March |
| Duration | 16 days | |
| Grade |
2B (Bolivar ascent 4B) |
|
| "Andes" Leadership Fee
(includes leaders expenses) about £1600 |
||
Trekking and Climbing in Venezuela.
This expedition is not currently scheduled. However we have run it in previous years and can do so again on request.
PRICES & COSTS
All are per person
"Andes" Leadership Fee (includes leaders expenses) -- about £1600
Estimated Airfares -- £900
Estimated Travel Costs in Venezuela -- £300
Estimated Accommodation & Meals -- £500
ESTIMATED TOTAL COST -- £3300
INTRODUCTION
The highlight of this trekking and climbing expedition is a traverse of the Sierra Nevada de Merida, Venezuela's highest and most spectacular mountain range. We'll make two ascents from high camps near this ridge, Pico Humboldt 4942m which is a fairly easy snow climb and Pico Bolivar 4979m, which is a difficult rock scramble and Venezuela's highest mountain. Both ascents are entirely optional and the trip would also be suitable for those who just want to enjoy the spectacular walking along the spine of the Sierra Nevada. We'll be based in the pleasant university city of Merida at the foot of the Sierra Nevada, from where the worlds highest cable car provides quick and easy access to the mountains. From Merida we'll also make a short acclimatisation trip to the Sierra de la Culata (a.k.a. known as the Sierra del Norte) before the main one week trip to the Sierra Nevada.
Pico Bolivar north face from the walk up El Toro.
Outline Itinerary |
|
| Day 1-2 | Flight to Merida via Caracas |
| Day 3-4 | Day walks from Merida |
| Day 5-7 | Sierra de la Culata aclimatisation trek |
| Day 8 | Rest day in Merida |
| Day 9-14 | Sierra Nevada trek and ascents |
| Day 15-16 | Journey home |
General Information about our holidays
Please read our warning on altitude before booking this expedition to high altitudes.
Who runs 'Andes' and where we are based
General information about equipment, accommodation, flights, meals etc.
MERIDA
Merida is a small and pleasant city situated in a deep forested valley in the Venezuelan Andes at a height of 1600m above sea level. The Sierra Nevada de Merida rise over 3500m immediately to the south of the city and there are spectacular views to these snow covered peaks. A cable car connects the city centre with Pico Espejo 4768m. It is claimed to be the world's longest and highest cable car and we will travel as high as possible on it to access the mountains.
The city of Merida from the cable car
SIERRA DE LA CULATA
The first phase of the expedition will be a series of day walks and then a short two night trek in the mountains of the Sierra de la Culata (Cordillera del Norte), which lie north of Merida and face across to the Sierra Nevada. We'll aim to climb as high as 3500-4000m on these walks to gain valuable acclimatisation for the main traverse. For the fittest it is possible to ascend the peak of Pan de Azucar 4690m for a first spectacular view of the Venezuelan Andes.
PARQUE NACIONAL SIERRA NEVADA
All the high peaks of the Sierra Nevada de Merida are in a national park which was founded in 1952 to protect the unusual flora and wildlife in this part of Venezuela. The wildlife keeps itself well hidden but the unusual flora is easily seen. In the valley bottom banana and sugar cane grow, higher up above 2000m is a zone of pristine rainforest with towering hardwood trees, lianas, ferns and bromeliads. Higher still around 3000m is a bamboo and tree-fern forest which then gives way at 3500m to the 'paramo' a moorland of giant heathers, alpine flowers and the strange espeletia plants which look like alien visitors!
THE SIERRA NEVADA TRAVERSE
This is an outline of our planned
daily schedule for the high level traverse of the Sierra Nevada, obviously
subject to change due to weather, route conditions, etc.
Day 1 -- Cable car access to the
Loma Redonda station and short walk to a campsite.
Day 2 -- Ascent of Pico El Toro,
an easy scramble.
Day 3 -- Cable car access to Pico
Espejo and walk to Laguna Timoncitos 4700m, at the base of Pico Bolivar. 2 hours
walk with packs, some exposed scrambling.
Day 4 -- Ascent of Pico Bolivar
4979m and backpack to Laguna Suero
4200m, through La Ventana pass, mostly downhill.
Day 5 -- Ascent of Pico Humboldt
4942m. Second night at Laguna Suero.
Day 6 -- Descent from Laguna Suero via Laguna Verde to La Mucuy, 2500m descent. Approx. 15km with packs,
entirely downhill.
THE MOUNTAINS
Pan de Azucar 4690m, in the Sierra de la Culata is a short 3 hour return walk from camp, some scree but no scrambling. Pico Toro 4758m, in the Sierra Nevada is a 5 or 6 hour walk with a very short section of scrambling just under the summit, quite exposed but very easy. The ascent of Pico Bolivar 4979m, is an exciting and exposed scramble. We'll climb by the normal route on the south face, known as the Ruta Weiss after the first ascensionist. The climb is only a very short day from a high camp at Laguna Timoncitos but it involves a lot of scrambling and a few moves at up to V.Diff (5.2) standard. The climb starts up a steep chimney/gully on the south face before traversing onto the exposed north face to finish up a steep chimney. The ascent of Pico Humboldt 4942m is a relatively straightforward snow climb over an easy angled glacier on the northwest flank of the mountain. There is a bit of scrambling on rock slabs to get to the glacier. This is usually done in one long day from a camp at the beautiful Laguna Suero at 4200m
Walking towards Pico Humboldt on La Travesia, Sierra Nevada
FITNESS AND EXPERIENCE REQUIRED
This expedition is ideal for anyone with some hillwalking or trekking experience, but could be joined by fit and adventurous people with no previous experience. Previous experience of rock scrambling or climbing will be a big advantage for those wanting to take the optional climb of Pico Bolivar as there is rock climbing at up to V.Diff (about 5.2) standard on the route. Reasonable mountain fitness is required to make the most of this expedition and some recent experience of backpacking is recommended as we will have to carry our own full camping/climbing rucksacks (15-18kg) on the main ridge traverse (only for three short and/or downhill days!).
In Venezuela, even in the dry season, we will probably have a few rainy afternoons - it can also be chilly at night at altitude. Expedition members should be able to work as a team when it comes to helping pitch tents, etc. There will be some freeze-dried and lightweight food in many of the meals on the main traverse. In the mountains we will be backpacking, with 15-18kg rucksacks. However these days will be kept short or (on the long last day) are downhill only.
Pico Bolivar from the cable car station at Pico Espejo, Sierra Nevada, Venezuela
CLIMATE
We travel to Venezuela early in the dry season, but it is quite likely we will get afternoon showers and thunderstorms. Mornings will normally be clear and bright. In Merida the climate is warm and spring like, but higher in the mountains it will be cold out of the sun and at night, with temperatures dropping below freezing above 4500m at night.
The steepest pitches on the normal route of Pico Bolivar
WHAT'S INCLUDED IN OUR PRICE AND WHAT'S NOT INCLUDED
Our price is for leadership/guiding and mountain services only. It INCLUDES the leaders fee (wages) and all their expenses, such as flights, travel, hotels, meals, permits. It also INCLUDES his or her share of communal expenses, which may be such things as 4x4 rentals, diesel and fuel, mule and porter costs, shared hotel rooms.
Our price also INCLUDES all mountain services such as provision of tents, stoves and all other communal camping equipment, all mountain food including all camp food and lunches on day trips. It also INCLUDES any communal mountaineering equipment that may be necessary, such as ropes, karabiners, etc., and on most expeditions emergency use of satellite telephone link.
Our price does NOT INCLUDE - your flights, your insurance, your hotel/hostel accommodation, your meals taken at cafes and restaurants, your share of communal travel costs (e.g 4x4 rental, mule costs), your personal climbing and camping equipment (i.e. used by you alone, such as sleeping bag, harness, helmet), permits or peak fees payable by yourself.
INSURANCE, HEALTH & SECURITY
All clients must be insured for medical costs and repatriation in an emergency. We recommend having insurance for baggage, personal liability and cancellation as well. If you would like further advice please ask. Venezuela is a relatively well developed country and the standard of health and hygiene is generally reasonable. You would be unlucky to get an upset stomach or diarrhoea, but it is possible. Vaccinations for tetanus, typhoid, yellow fever, hepatitis and polio are recommended. Venezuela suffers from a bad reputation for theft and insurance is a necessity. It has to be said that thieves steal from easy targets; most tales of theft involve the victim doing something unwise. It is important to stay alert when in busy public areas and to guard your belongings carefully at all times. Muggings and other violent crime are very rare. We will issue further advice to all clients before departure.
SAFETY AND RISK
This is an adventure holiday and all
clients will be exposed to hazards not found in
everyday life by taking part in this itinerary. While we take all
reasonable precautions to reduce risk it is neither possible nor desirable
to completely eliminate these hazards. It is important that you understand
the hazards you may be exposed to before
signing our booking form. We have identified the following areas as the
principal additional risks of this itinerary. (Some of
these could potentially result in serious injury or death). This is
not a fully inclusive list - please ask if you would like to see a more
detailed risk assessment of this itinerary before booking.
Driving, hotels and general safety : In
Venezuela driving, fire safety standards and general safety standards are not as
high as in Europe.
Crime : Venezuela has a higher crime rate
than Europe. As a wealthy tourist you may attract attention.
Minor slips and falls : due to steep,
uneven and unstable ground, logs and slippery vegetation.
Remoteness : You will be up to two days
walk from professional medical help for periods of time.
There is almost no chance of a helicopter rescue.
Mountain Hazards : In certain places you may be subjected
to a slight risk of rockfall. Sections of the itinerary involve exposed
scrambling, which although easy would have serious consequences in the event of
a slip. There are also slight risks from bad weather. On the ascent of Pico
Bolivar there is a generally higher risk of rockfall, for which a helmet must be
worn, plus potential hazards from abseiling, climbing and being caught out
by bad weather.
Espeletia plant
ORGANISATION & LEADERSHIP
Our expeditions are designed to be small and flexible. The expedition will be co-ordinated, organised and lead by us, but as far as possible will adapt to the plans and aspirations of the members. We will consult you when planning the details of the expedition. We publish an outline itinerary so that we have something to fall back on if none of us can agree! Please note however that the leaders decision is final where the safety of the group or any member is in jeopardy; for example where retreat or diversion is necessary due to illness or bad weather. Due to the terrain this is not a supported trek; in the mountains we will be backpacking, with 15-18kg rucksacks. However days will be kept short or (on the long last day) are downhill only. The minimum number of customers we need to run this expedition is three. The maximum size of the expedition will be four customers plus leader. In some circumstances we may be able to run the expedition with just two members and a local leader.
