Ojos del Salado
Ojos del Salado, at 22,615′ (6893m), is the second highest peak in the world outside of Asia, and the world’s highest volcano. It is a giant among giants, located in the Chilean Altiplano, comparable only with Tibet.
Overview
Before the climb we have several days to acclimatize. We will take day hikes and day climbs in the fantastic Atacama Desert, visit saltwater lakes frequented by flamingos, and enjoy the natural hot springs at Laguna Verde, (14,765′), a turquoise lake with a view of snow-capped volcanoes and red desert hills. 4-wheel drive vehicles will take us up to 17,000′, where we begin our Ojos climb. From this point, we climb to Refugio Tejos, a hut at 19,350′, possibly the highest mountain hut in the world!
Gentle scree slopes and occasional snow patches lead us to the summit from which we can admire the huge extinct crater. We will also have a chance to climb an 18,000’ volcano before our Ojos climb. Participants must be in good physical condition and have previous mountaineering experience. Although Ojos is not a technical climb, altitude and weather conditions are a major challenge.
Dates of Trips
2024-2025
Nov 16 – Dec 1, 2024
Nov 23 – Dec 8, 2024
Dec 30 – 15, 2024
Dec 7 – 22, 2024
Dec 14 – 29, 2024
Dec 21 – Jan 5, 2025
Jan 4 – 19, 2025
Jan 11 – 26, 2025
Jan 18 -Feb 2, 2025
Jan 25 – Feb 9, 2025
Feb 1 – 16, 2025
Rates
$4,800
Cost for reserving: $800
Itinerary
DAY 1
Group meets in Copiapo, Chile. Equipment check and afternoon briefing at the hotel. For dinner we will have a chance to taste fine Chilean cuisine and wine.
Cost Includes
- Professional Mountain Guides
- 2 nights hotel accommodation in Copiapo
- All land transportation (such as vans and 4×4)
- All expedition food
- All community gear (such as tents, stoves cooking gear, medical kit, etc)
- Climbing permit included.
You are responsible for
- All flights
- Meals in Copiapo
- Personal equipment
- Passport
- Personal items and services (laundry, drinks, tips, etc.)
- Expenses incurred in the case of a rescue.
Equipment List
Feet
- Socks, thick wool or synthetic - 3 pair (outer socks),
silk, synthetic, or wool - 3 pair (inner socks), cotton socks - 2 pair - VBL socks (optional)
- Climbing boots, double mountaineering boots (plastic
or synthetic leather) - Lightweight hiking boots or strong
tennis shoes - Booties, down or polar guard
- Gaiters
Upper Body
- Lightweight wool or synthetic long underwear top - 2
- Expedition weight wool or synthetic long underwear
top - 1 - Fleece or similar weight down or synthetic micro-puff
jacket - Breathable windproof and water resistant outer jacket
such as Goretex (with hood) - Down or synthetic parka (with hood)
- Cotton or synthetic T-shirts - 2
Lower Body
- Polypropylene or nylon briefs or underpants - 3 pair
- Lightweight wool or synthetic long underwear bottoms
- 1 pair - Expedition weight wool or synthetic long underwear
bottoms -1 pair - Breathable windproof and water resistant pants or
bibs (recommended with full length side zippers) - Fleece pants full length side zippers recommendedShorts - 1 pair
- Lightweight synthetic pants (hike in, base camp, -
optional)
Hands
- Heavy insulated mittens, wool, down, or fleece- 1 pair
- Gloves, fleece, synthetic, or wool - 1 pair
- Goretex or nylon wind shells for mittens (needed only if your mittens are not made of windproof material)
Head
- Ski hat, wool or fleece
- Balaclava (wool, fleece, or synthetic)
- Sun visor or baseball cap
Sleeping Gear
- Down or synthetic bag comfortable to -20 degrees F
- 1 foam pad or 1 thermarest (full length recommended - both recommended)
Pack
- Pack with 5000 to 6000 cubic inches (80 - 100 liter) capacity
- Day pack, for approach and day hikes
Technical Equipment
- Ice axe 70 cm. approx. Standing with your arm
relaxed at your side, the ice axe should reach from
the palm of your hand to the ground. - Crampons, 12 points, non-rigid recommended
- Seat harness, make sure it fits comfortably over your
bulky clothing - Carabiners, 3 regular, 2 locking
Personal Items
- Head lamp and extra batteries
- Sun glasses - bring two (one as a spare)
- Ski goggles
- Sun screen lotion SPF 30 - 1 tube
- Sun screen lip protection - 1 stick
- Skin moisturizer - 6 oz.
- Mole skin, bandaids, tape, second skin
- Pocket knife
- Plastic bowl and cup (large), and spoon
- Water bottles (2) nalgene wide mouth, 1 quart capacity
- Nylon cord 15 ft
- Tooth brush and tooth paste
- Antibiotics - 1 cycle broad spectrum
- Stuff sacs 2-3
- Iodine pills or similar purification tablets - 1 new small
bottle (for water purification)
Optional Items
- Ski poles, highly recommended (Adjustable preferred)
- Camera
- Journal, pen, book, phone
- Small towel and soap or baby wipes, foot powder
- Swimsuit
- Cotton bandana
- Pee bottle - wide mouth 1 qt capacity
- 2 lbs of your favorite lunch treat
- 1 oz. of your favorite spice
- Chemical hand and foot warmers
