Huayna Potosi (6,088m), Bolivia

24 hours on Huayna Potosi, 13-14 Aug 2013.
An ascent via the "normal" route, approaching from Zongo Dam in the east and finishing up the north west ridge.

[@PhilAndersonOutside]

Climbed this back in 1997. I don't know if it was the season, or global warming, but there was much less rock exposed on the summit pyramid when I was there. In fact, we were able to make a somewhat direct push to the summit through a section you see at 3:32 in this video. I don't seem to recall a bergschrund there either. It looks like we climbed right through that section. I don't recall seeing any footprints at all from previous climbers, though even back then it was at least somewhat frequently climbed. Memory fuzzy after all these years, I could be wrong on some details. But looking down the Polish Face was unnerving, that I won't forget. We stayed in our tent roughly where you did, not the hut, and left about an hour after you. Wonderful memories.

[@squareinsquare2078]

Climbed it in 2005. Then trekked across the globe through multiple countries to climb Mt Rinjani in Indonesia. Best year of my life, travel is amazing.

[@lanikisik]

Thank you! Plan go go next year there. Looks like a spectacular and enjoyable hike!

[@veimarchespinoza9611]

THANK YOU FOR COMING TO BOLIVIA

[@SalvadorMuller]

Gracias!

[@lizangell5196]

Lovely film. Reminds me of a walk past HP on the way to Zongo Ice caves back in 1990 . . . . . stunning beauty

[@attimount]

Nice video, one day will be there too. Thanks for sharing.

[@MultiNicolasp]

Great video! Amazing experience!

[@mfcten]

Thanks for sharing; great information and video!

[@marcoanton123456]

buena informacion...gracias

[@jaedongumkim4294]

Woo woo Extraño Extraño cementerio

[@ERBITONE]

Gracie amigo mio Richard,per bona videos,,viva Amigo Pattison.

[@gorillamountaineering8751]

Great video ... some happy memories!

[@Pitockin]

I have got it in October 2014....stiff but amazing....

[@nicolasgarcia7305]

Great video congratulations!

[@mik3sss]

awesome man...great film!

[@TheBoliviaShow]

I was jsut wondering if it can be done in less than 3 days! Thanks for this info!

[@richard_pattison]

Hello, yes, Huayna Potosi can be climbed in less than 3 days as long as you're already acclimatised to the lower levels of oxygen. We were on the mountain for only 24 hours, getting dropped off/picked-up by taxi around midday each day. Good luck, hope you enjoy the experience and climb safe, Rich.

[@xdnqnvxdnqnv]

Agradeço o vídeo! 👍✌

[@benschebella673]

i summited at sunrise earlier this year at he end of wet season, but it was overcat. such a shame considering the view. one of the hardest but most rewarding climbs I've done

[@martak5075]

Did you climb without a guide? I was wondering if we could do solo

[@richard_pattison]

Hello, yes, we climbed without a guide, no permits required in Bolivia. There were crevasses, so I recommend roping-up for the glacier travel - but I presume your comment of solo means independent, rather than climbing solo on the mountain i.e. without rope. Hope you enjoy it, climb safe, Richard.

[@saigo4465]

AWESOME 👏

[@krystoffatrle]

how did you get back to la paz? is there signal to call a taxi?

[@richard_pattison]

Hi, we organised the taxi pick-up beforehand. We had 24 hours on the mountain, so we asked the taxi driver to return the next day at the same time to collect us. We didn't have roaming activated on our cell phones so I don't know if there is reception there. Organising the taxi pick-up before might be the best option, hope that helps, Richard.

[@bikeamour]

Aardig heuveltje maar valt in het niet bij onze Vaalserberg

[@felixjuds2035]

Every person I met coming down I asked if someone died climbing this mountain, so afraid I was. We went on a different route straigth up the icy slope. But it was worth it.

[@mrcarlincool]

I did this climb in april of this year and it was so worth it. Cheap as well.

[@PhilAndersonOutside]

I was there 25 years ago and believe you and I may have gone the same way. My memory is of a more steep, direct push up the summit pyramid, but there were a lot less rocks then. I don't recall it being icy, just hard snow/glacier. Maybe much has melted due to global warming? Maybe my memory is fuzzy.

[@mangrovebenzel]

it looks quite easy. or are there also a few tricky parts? thanks for a quick reply! :)

[@richard_pattison]

Thanks for the message. Yes, the technical challenges are quite straightforward, alpine PD probably. A few crevasses to negotiate on the glacier, then the sharp summit ridge where you wouldn't want to fall. The altitude is the biggest challenge, which might make the climbing alpine AD if you don't have enough oxygen. Hope that helps, Richard.

[@mangrovebenzel]

@@richard_pattison thanks!!

[@McDave1312]

I'm going tomorrow, lets see if I make it!

[@DJradiogo]

which travel insurance are you had please ?

[@musicstewart9744]

"Extreme exposure on both sides"= Yea. The views are great. But this is not the place to misstep.

[@griffindoninger9414]

What was the date of your ascent?

[@richardpattison6447]

Hi, it was 13-14 Aug 2013. I believe there are more huts/refuges now. Have you climbed Huayna Potosi? Rich.

[@griffindoninger9414]

Not yet, heading down in June/July this year

[@1977pppp]

IT IS AMAZING| BUT I GET UO ALONE IN 1988 ALONE. YOU DON´T NEED SPEAK MORE

[@89iamlegend]

Richard, great video! My friend and I plan to climb this sometime in May-Aug with a guide. We both don't have any technical experience but have experience trekking to 5900m. Do you think we can skip this and this and do Illimani? We will only have a couple days to acclimatize in La Paz.

[@jaedongumkim4294]

Montañeros del mundo everest Dónde escalar antes del desafío Everest en aproximadamente una semana de adaptación al alpino y la resistencia. Un lugar imprescindible para el éxito en el ascenso. O Everest falló 77% JAJAJAJA JAJAJAJA mucho Suertes