Rachel is a travel writer and artist with a passion for hiking in the mountains. She has spent many months trekking in the mountains of South America, from the Peruvian Andes to the wilds of Patagonia.
- Difficulty: Strenuous
- Distance: 4.4 km
- Duration: Four days
- Max elevation: 6,354 m
- Start/end point: Llanganuco
- Accommodation: Camping
The fourth highest peak in the Cordillera Blanca, Nevado Chopicalqui boasts a dramatic snow shelf and summit ridge. Considered one of the best summit views in the entire range, you’ll be astonished by dozens of neighbouring, rugged white peaks and massifs, including Huascaran, Pisco, Yanapaccha, and Contrahierbas. The most common route is along the Southwest Ridge and is ideal for climbers with prior technical mountaineering experience, glacial navigation skills, excellent physical fitness, and familiarity ascending exposed, steep ice slopes with two ice axes.
Located at the end of Llanganuco Valley and starting below 4,000 metres, days one and two are a mild climb through dense Quenuales forest and along the ridge-line to the basecamp. The following day has a more strenuous uphill of 30 degrees over several moraines until reaching the glacier. It is common for climbers to ascend on the glacier to 5,350 metres to set up high camp. From high camp, the summit ascent transitions from a moderate incline along a wide ridge to a steep and narrow slope. While the final summit push does not require highly technical climbing, the exposure is exceptionally jarring and requires navigation around crevasses and seracs (ice blocks). If successful, the total summit ascent takes about seven to nine hours.
Need to know
The trailhead is located three hours from Huaraz in the Huascaran National Park and requires an entry fee of 65/S for a 30 day pass. Located just five kilometres apart, many mountain guides recommend summiting the less strenuous Nevado Pisco as a warm-up ascent to help with acclimation for Chopiclaqui. Be aware that avalanches are a hazard on the west ridge of the mountain.
At a glance
Destinations
Cordillera Blanca
Activity
Adventure, Climbing & Mountaineering, Hiking & Trekking, Active, Walking, Nature & Wildlife, Responsible Travel, Slow Travel, Solo TravelPhysical Level
Strenuous
Season
May - September
Duration
4 days
Related Guides
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Nevado Chopicalqui Summit
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