Nevado Huayna Potosi

The Nevado de Huayna Potosí is located in one of the most important chains of the Eastern Andes of Bolivia known as the Cordillera Real.. Its name derives from the Aymara language which means “Young Potosí”, in the shape of an imposing ice pyramid with three faces. This massif has two high peaks, the first located to the north with a height of 6.088 m.s.n.m. and the one from the south to 5.920 m.s.n.m. To access this majestic rock group, ice and snow it is necessary to leave from the City of La Paz distant to 52 kilometers towards the town of Zongo, continue along the detour towards the Milluni mine and the Zongo dam until you reach the base of the snow-capped mountain and the Huayna Potosí Refuge. From this point the ascent towards its summits begins. Among the best-known routes are the normal routes on the faces of the snowy east, north and south called “route of the French”, the west face, Via de Lyon and the Via del Triangle.

The history of ascents to this snow-capped mountain dates back to 1877 y 1898, time in which the first attempts to reach its summit were carried out. The first successful ascent to its summit was made in the year 1919 by the Germans Rudolf Dienst and O. Lohse. From 1950, This snowy mountain next to the Condoriri massifs, IlIampu e IIlimani has been the subject of massive raids by foreign mountaineers, amateur athletes and young adventurers, becoming one of the most coveted peaks for climbers of the Cordillera Real. The best season to visit is during the months of May to October; It is advisable to take the services of an operating agency specialized in mountain tourism.

AUTONOMOUS DEPARTMENTAL GOVERNMENT OF LA PAZ
SECRETARY OF ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AND INDUSTRIAL TRANSFORMATION
DIRECTORATE OF CULTURES AND TOURISM
TOURISM UNIT