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Successful Bolivia Mountaineering School- 3 Peaks Bagged!
MM Guide Joshua Jarrin joined Gaspar Navarrete this season to assist on one of our Bolivia Mountaineering School trips. We already have climbers excited to join us next year, so we’ve posted the 2013 dates. You can check them out here.
Here’s are some great stories, pictures and video from the trip:
“I joined the group after their acclimatization hike around Lake Titicaca. Gaspar met me in Rinconada with some bad news and some good news. The bad news was that one of our clients, Rene, had come down with a bad flu and was going to require some extra rest time in la Paz. Luckily our program includes a lot of flexibility and we were able to adjust the itinerary for these “last minute” situations. The good news was that a client I had travelled with previously, John C, was in our group! I had some great memories of our trip in Ecuador last season so it was really great to see him again!
“The first part of the school took place on Condoriri Massif. The first day we hiked in to base camp and enjoyed a delicious meal prepared by Efrain and Carlita, our Bolivian cooks. The second day, we used some of the big boulders next to base camp to practice the basics of knots and rope management before heading out onto the glacier. The following day gave us a chance to prepare our gear and continue with our Glacier School at the bottom of Piramide Blanca. We had the chance to review everything from how to put on gear, to sophisticated concepts like snow/ice anchors and running belay.
![](https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fkraftwerk-mountain-madness.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fblog%2Fnewswire%2FDSC00630.jpeg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=300&s=6068449e45cd9ffa0de4f8d2ffb523bc 300w, https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fkraftwerk-mountain-madness.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fblog%2Fnewswire%2FDSC00630.jpeg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=500&s=b38c2dcdb2e4ecc7bcf04ae546b281c9 500w, https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fkraftwerk-mountain-madness.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fblog%2Fnewswire%2FDSC00630.jpeg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=700&s=010dcf54c7ad03515bf7a0e9aa46fa93 640w, https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fkraftwerk-mountain-madness.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fblog%2Fnewswire%2FDSC00630.jpeg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=800&s=4d12da1215e2c2ddb977cf9b07e75b90 640w, https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fkraftwerk-mountain-madness.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fblog%2Fnewswire%2FDSC00630.jpeg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=1000&s=3ced85d3e2eed1ee949da6d888c8b497 640w, https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fkraftwerk-mountain-madness.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fblog%2Fnewswire%2FDSC00630.jpeg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=1200&s=50b5bf697fcc6f28c1fc195d56a0f6fc 640w, https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fkraftwerk-mountain-madness.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fblog%2Fnewswire%2FDSC00630.jpeg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=1400&s=3b1b6f1999ce14ce4774f14c74b37e35 640w, https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fkraftwerk-mountain-madness.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fblog%2Fnewswire%2FDSC00630.jpeg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=1600&s=5821fa7410e8f7071ca04a6531c32ecf 640w)
Practicing ice climbing techniques. Joshua Jarrin photo
“One of the benefits of our Bolivia school is the weather. During this season, there is a very high chance of having good weather in the range. This helps a lot with getting good time to practice in a glacier with a nice environment. Ice climbing was one of the last things we worked on before getting ready for our summit ascent. Everyone was ready for our summit push!
“According to our itinerary, we should have climbed Tarija Peak, but we agreed with the clients to attempt Piramde Blanca instead; the only reason being that the approach to Piramide is closer and some of our friends were still working with their acclimatization. I believe it was the right decision, and we had so much fun that day! Everything just clicked and we enjoyed perfect weather and mountain conditions. On top of that, all of the clients reached the summit!
The team reaching the summit of Piramide Blanca! Joshua Jarrin video
![](https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fkraftwerk-mountain-madness.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fblog%2Fnewswire%2FDSC00686.jpeg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=300&s=cf2df1b71323e11a33e7beb26be638f2 300w, https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fkraftwerk-mountain-madness.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fblog%2Fnewswire%2FDSC00686.jpeg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=500&s=4d833604c83d68a9b87b28c490488e9f 500w, https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fkraftwerk-mountain-madness.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fblog%2Fnewswire%2FDSC00686.jpeg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=700&s=f528860dcaaacc1ac6d297525adb5652 640w, https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fkraftwerk-mountain-madness.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fblog%2Fnewswire%2FDSC00686.jpeg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=800&s=edb227eccb3df318259164be768f8701 640w, https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fkraftwerk-mountain-madness.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fblog%2Fnewswire%2FDSC00686.jpeg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=1000&s=87785023483a7e39f9639477a4895eda 640w, https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fkraftwerk-mountain-madness.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fblog%2Fnewswire%2FDSC00686.jpeg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=1200&s=ce93dd9abca4bdbe02d8c783d937b27a 640w, https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fkraftwerk-mountain-madness.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fblog%2Fnewswire%2FDSC00686.jpeg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=1400&s=31792e59bc9701781f66369ac3858ca6 640w, https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fkraftwerk-mountain-madness.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fblog%2Fnewswire%2FDSC00686.jpeg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=1600&s=c9930db4055aa00f6cd73453ee988c23 640w)
Congratulations! Joshua Jarrin photo
“Our second goal was Huayna Potosi. After one day resting in La Paz and doing some laundry (important!) we headed to the Casa Blanca hut at the bottom of these symbolic peaks of the Cordillera Real range. Given the size of our group, we had a Bolivian guide, Eduardo, join us. After a hike to the Campo Alto hut, we were ready for the second push. All I can say, is that I was very impressed by our clients’ development. Lee was strong from the beginning, but Rob and Ray were finishing their acclimatization by the time we came down from Piramide. As a result, Gaspar and I had planned a conservative itinerary for Huayna, and yet these guys climbed Huayna at a speed that became one of my fastest times ever! Wow! I am so glad to follow the Mountain Madness program, seeing how it gives everyone a chance to achieve proper acclimatization and be capable of working at their 100% best by the time we go for the summit pushes.
Taking a break on Huayna Potosi. Joshua Jarrin photo
Last steps on the summit push to Huayna Potosi. Joshua Jarrin photo
On the summit of Huayna Potosi! Joshua Jarrin photo
“For the final leg of the trip, we attempted Illimani. Again, we rested in La Paz and then spent four days on the mountain. The first two were for reaching high camp at the beginning of the glacier, the third was reserved for a summit push, and the fourth for coming back to the city for our final dinner. After our success on Huayna Potosi, we had no doubt of our high chances on Illimani. We left the tents at 3 am, navigated the lower glacier up to the north ridge, and then walked the final part to the summit. We lucked out again with a perfect day that let us stay almost half an hour on the summit!
![](https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fkraftwerk-mountain-madness.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fblog%2Fnewswire%2FDSC00803.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=300&s=d3aa82b0f32eef15b1f4610c1d1b1003 300w, https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fkraftwerk-mountain-madness.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fblog%2Fnewswire%2FDSC00803.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=500&s=31d99dee30860a09299971444130c03e 500w, https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fkraftwerk-mountain-madness.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fblog%2Fnewswire%2FDSC00803.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=700&s=93f75655fd3f9ad3d65c7c331ed852e5 700w, https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fkraftwerk-mountain-madness.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fblog%2Fnewswire%2FDSC00803.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=800&s=d4522d59ec1d836b6aa9d526b1efc818 768w, https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fkraftwerk-mountain-madness.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fblog%2Fnewswire%2FDSC00803.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=1000&s=f8f5f60e7b59b6c1c0cd98539df952eb 768w, https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fkraftwerk-mountain-madness.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fblog%2Fnewswire%2FDSC00803.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=1200&s=f977c1d89ecc1cccabfcdc2fb6bc5034 768w, https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fkraftwerk-mountain-madness.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fblog%2Fnewswire%2FDSC00803.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=1400&s=25eff4f44b286b202be101e969940f24 768w, https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fkraftwerk-mountain-madness.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fblog%2Fnewswire%2FDSC00803.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=1600&s=b6462a29bbe0369e5095e90e379f4715 768w)
On the summit ridge. Joshua Jarrin photo
![](https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fkraftwerk-mountain-madness.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fblog%2Fnewswire%2FDSC00829.jpeg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=300&s=c05ad6f8c545e8b4e70867b4a2515a5e 300w, https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fkraftwerk-mountain-madness.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fblog%2Fnewswire%2FDSC00829.jpeg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=500&s=1035b5e80b091fdd991c3b2056a01d87 500w, https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fkraftwerk-mountain-madness.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fblog%2Fnewswire%2FDSC00829.jpeg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=700&s=d098dea82fc9d6feb31814525a0e3ad1 640w, https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fkraftwerk-mountain-madness.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fblog%2Fnewswire%2FDSC00829.jpeg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=800&s=dca6764737605ff5beeb2fcd66958e5e 640w, https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fkraftwerk-mountain-madness.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fblog%2Fnewswire%2FDSC00829.jpeg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=1000&s=bce75fbe00df8d2e49d8a9b9e46b273a 640w, https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fkraftwerk-mountain-madness.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fblog%2Fnewswire%2FDSC00829.jpeg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=1200&s=2dfaab56676ad007357a26ed781768f3 640w, https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fkraftwerk-mountain-madness.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fblog%2Fnewswire%2FDSC00829.jpeg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=1400&s=d989c8ff2c749c5331c2f56e1ce6e408 640w, https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fkraftwerk-mountain-madness.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fblog%2Fnewswire%2FDSC00829.jpeg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=1600&s=b8a485e60cd2938abbf235c9e31ea596 640w)
On the summit of Illimani! Joshua Jarrin photo
“We came down to the town of Pinaya and it was great to see our staff waiting for us with pizzas and beer. While they were loading up the cars, we played soccer with kids from the local school while on their break. The kids won and returned to their classes, but that wasn’t a problem because we had a victory of our own: a great adventure and three summits in our pockets!”
~ MM Guide Joshua Jarrin
Bolivian kids vs. Climbers… all I can say is: there is a difference between being acclimatized and being a local!