Pico Bolivar - 5.007m
Trekking & Climbing
NATIONAL
PARK SIERRA NEVADA
Pico
Bolivar is Venezuela's highest mountain (5007 m). The best season
to climb it is from December to March or in other words in the dry season.
But even then it represents an extreme physical and psychological challenge
to all non-climbers. Remember that the Teleférico is not working and
that there is almost 3500 m of altitude difference between Mérida centre
and the peak. Arassari Trek suggests you to approach Pico Bolivar
via Los Nevados or via La travesia. The simple reason for this is better acclimatization,
far better scenery and a bigger chance to make it really to the top.
As on Pico Humboldt and all other high altitude
trekking we do not recommend this trip to people with heart or pulmonary problems.
Arassari Trek hires out ultra light climbing
gear (aluminum ice axes, crampons, helmets, harnesses etc.) and excellent
camping equipment ( MSR-kitchens, Therma-rest, Downfeather sleeping-bags etc.)
which you will appreciate once you are up there.
In
order to become Mérida´s lightest operator in the mountains we
offer menu's prepared with dehydrated, weightless food corresponding
to highest nutritional values but also satisfying to gourmet tastes.
WITH
CELULAR PHONES
ASSISTANCE !!! 5 days / 4 nights
: Difficulty degree 4 (scale 0 to 5)
Note : The cablecar is
closed now. This means is one day more for the Pico Bolivar
(extra day of walking down). 6 days / 5 nights
LA
TRAVESIA
Day
1: Mucuy- Laguna
la Coromoto (2130 m - 3200 m / 9 Km / 3.30 -
5.30 hours walking). A 1 hour jeep drive
takes us to the entrance
of SIERRA NEVADA NATIONAL PARK in la Mucuy. Through tropical forest we hike
uphill for several hours going over to cloud forest, bamboo forest and finally
reach the green transparent clear Laguna Coromoto at the exit of the woods.
Camping.
Day
2: Laguna Coromoto
- Laguna Verde (3200 m - 4000 m/ 6 Km / 3.00
- 5.00 hours walking). The path turns out
to be quite rocky
and steep today. We'll pass "el puente quemado" and are forced to make little
climbs on all 4 legs to get over the huge rocks from the glacial period.
We camp somewhere close to Laguna Verde. Snow-white Humboldt thrones close
at sight.
Day 3: Laguna
Verde - Laguna Timoncito (4000 m - 4600
m/7,5 km/ 4 - 7 hours walking) From beautiful
Laguna Verde we hike
west to laguna El Suero and face a steep uphill on loose rocks called "Chomahoma".
Once on top we enjoy excellent views and we have reached the traverse altitude.
We cross over through a rock or snow landscape to Laguna Timoncito.
Day
4: Pico Espejo -
Pico Bolivar o Timoncito - Pico Bolivar (4765
m - 5007 m / 2 - 3 Km return / 4 - 10 hours walking, climbing and rappelling)
The day you wont forget has just begun. Catwalks,
steep climbs, abysses, oxygen-lack or in other words vertigo sensations
mixed with short breath and cold sweat is the program for the non-climbers.
You are assured with harness, rope, helmet and learn to trust a professional
guide.
In the rainy season ice axes and crampons will have to be used too. Weather
conditions and physical
resistance determine if you need 4 hours or the whole day for the climb. Arassari
Trek
groups have a maximum of 5 tourists on this adventurous trip. Our drop out
rate is approx. 10% in the dry
season and around 30% in the rainy season. But weather conditions alone make
it a 50% chance in the
rainy season. If possible we try to make it back to Loma Redonda the
same day - an extra 2-4
hours hike, but cutting up a bit the last days knee-killer.
Day 5: Pico Espejo
- Loma Redonda - Teleférico - Mérida
(4765 m - 4045 m, 2 -4 hours walking
and then down by cable car to Mérida 1650 m in 1 hour approx.) If
the cable car shouldn't be working people
have to walk down another 5 to 8 extra hours making the last day the
longest of all.
With the cable car working Pico Bolivar can be done
in just 1 day ! Taking the first cable car in the early
morning, climbing the peak and coming down with the last cable car in the
afternoon
Combine
this adventure trip with the crossing down to the Llanos and maybe a class 4
river raft at the end.
