2x5000 challenge
2x5000 challenge
Alta Catamarca
Your travel starts now...
Your travel starts now...
We invite you to a unique altitude challenge to bring you new experiences and more peaks in a unique place: The Valley of the Six-Thousanders in Catamarca.
This time, we will ascend a peak over 4,000 meters high as part of the acclimatization process in preparation for the main objective: Bertran Volcano, located 200 kilometers from Fiambalá, near the San Francisco Pass. This beautiful volcano has a 4.5-kilometer-wide crater over 300 meters deep, leaving even the most skeptical among us speechless.
The next objective is even higher. On the border with Chile and opposite the San Francisco Volcano, lies the access to Cerro Cordobita (5,550 meters). On the way to its summit, we will have the opportunity to see fields of penitents and the immensity of the Valley of the Six-Thousanders, which gets its name from having the highest concentration of volcanoes over 6,500 meters high. From its summit, we can see the Incahuasi Volcano, Fraile, Ojos del Salado, Muerto, Peinado, Dos Conos, and more.
The area is characterized by its free-roaming wildlife and beautiful lagoons, combining the satisfaction of our senses with the area's great biodiversity and a unique mountain challenge that will undoubtedly leave you wanting more in the Valley of the Six Thousand.
Addressed to:
- People in excellent physical condition.
- Those who understand the mountain environment, are willing to participate and adapt, and wish to share the experience in a group.
- Involves walking on scree, snow, or ice. The use of crampons and descents via mountain scree are possible.
- You can choose to book this experience for yourself if you do not wish to participate in a group.
Details
Details
Dates: February 20-25.
Meeting Place: Fiambalá, Catamarca (Day 1, 10am).
Ending Place: Fiambalá, Catamarca (Day 6).
Difficulty: Moderate / High.
Requirements: Medically fit with exercise stress test | Good physical condition.
Minimum Group / Ratio: 3 people / 1 Guide | 7 PAX.
Price Includes / Does Not Include: See full listings.
“Leave no trace.”
During the mountain activity, all waste that came with us returns with us.
Papers, fruit peels, toilet paper, wet wipes, feminine dressings, etc. They can be discarded upon arrival at the shelter or in the destination city upon completion.
Help us keep the mountain clean. Thank you so much!
- Bag or backpack to transport all your luggage.
- Bag or nylon to waterproof it in case of rain.
- 20/30 liter backpack to carry personal items.
- Backpack or nylon cover to waterproof the trekking backpack.
- Trekking poles.
- Trekking or mountain boots with semi-rigid soles.
- Sleeping bag, fiber or duvet (-15°C to -30°C).
- Insulating and/or inflatable mat.
- Headlamp. Replacement batteries.
- Sunglasses or goggles, CAT 4.
- Sunscreen factor 60 or higher.
- Lip protector.
- Personal hygiene elements. Quick drying towel.
- Personal first aid kit (band-aids, gauze, adhesive tape, povidone-iodine, 1 pair of disposable gloves, 2 elastic bandages, ibuprofen, sublingual reliveran, loperamide, rehydration salts) and prescription medication if applicable.
- Suggestion: 70% alcohol to sanitize your hands.
- Two t-shirts (long sleeve/short sleeve).
- Diver or fleece jacket or windstopper.
- Fine down jacket or synthetic filling.
- Expedition down jacket (500gs filling).
- Waterproof jacket.
- Snow gaiters.
- Trekking or fleece pants.
- Waterproof pants.
- Warm hat, sun cap and buff neck scarf.
- A pair of fleece gloves, a pair of waterproof gloves.
- Optional: Mittens and/or Mitten Covers.
- A pair of espadrilles or crocks (for resting in the shelter).
- Two pairs of thin stockings.
- Two pairs of thick socks.
- Kitchen items (knife, fork, spoon, plate and unbreakable cup).
- Containers to store at least 3 liters. of water per person.
- Steel thermos for personal use (at least 500cm3).
- Plastic bags to self-manage your waste.
- Personal portable charger (powerbank) for camping or shelter days.
- Snacks (Ideas: nuts, gummies, cookies, nougats, cereal bars, candies, chocolates, salty snacks, etc.).
Meeting in Fiambalá. Transfer to the mountain Inn in Cortaderas.
Free afternoon to rest, hydrate and prepare for the next day or trekking to Cortaderas Peak (3650mts).
Free afternoon to rest, hydrate and prepare for the next day or trekking to Cortaderas Peak (3650mts).
After breakfast (7 hours) we will move to Paso San Francisco.
After accomodating in a free use hut or to setting up the tents we will prepare for our objective: Cerro Falso Morocho (4484 masl).
One hour of travel, 5 hours of trekking.
One hour of travel, 5 hours of trekking.
Rest day to facilitate the adaptation process to the altitude. Visit to the "Blue Lagoon" Hot Springs.
After breakfast, we will travel by private vehicle to the base of Bertran Volcano (4650m). We will then trek to the summit of the volcano, from where we will have a breathtaking view of its crater and the surrounding volcanoes: San Francisco (6016m) and Incahuasi (6640m). We will take between 30 minutes and 1 hour (depending on weather conditions) for lunch and rest. Return tu Las Grutas.
Rest day to aid in altitude adjustment, with an optional visit to the "Blue Lagoon" hot springs.
We'll start the day early to travel the distance to the San Francisco Pass (4,700 meters), the border with Chile.
We will approach the base of the hill at 4900 meters in a private 4x4 vehicle to begin the ascent.
Following the trail through sandy flats, we will traverse the distance and elevation gain toward the summit. Along the way, we will be able to observe fields of penitentes (penitents) and, as we gain altitude, the cluster of high-altitude volcanoes that give the valley its name. After a well-deserved rest at the summit (time there will depend on weather conditions), we'll head back to the vehicle.
Once in Las Grutas, we will prepare our stuff to return to Fiambalá to conclude the activity.
Please note that if you share the activity with groups on other ascents (VN San Francisco, VN Incahuasi), the return transfer will be provided by a licensed provider.
Following the trail through sandy flats, we will traverse the distance and elevation gain toward the summit. Along the way, we will be able to observe fields of penitentes (penitents) and, as we gain altitude, the cluster of high-altitude volcanoes that give the valley its name. After a well-deserved rest at the summit (time there will depend on weather conditions), we'll head back to the vehicle.
Once in Las Grutas, we will prepare our stuff to return to Fiambalá to conclude the activity.
Please note that if you share the activity with groups on other ascents (VN San Francisco, VN Incahuasi), the return transfer will be provided by a licensed provider.
Included Services:
- Accommodation:
- Cortaderas Inn, beds with white linen, shared rooms with the group with private bathroom.
- High mountain tents or mountain hut (if available).
- Meals:
- Breakfast, box lunch, afternoon snack. From lunch on day 1 to lunch on the last day. The box lunch includes sandwiches, pastries, fruit, and an isotonic drink.
- Mineral water for the activity days.
- Group kitchen equipment, heaters, pots, cooking utensils, table, and chairs.
- Safety:
- Professional Guide EPGAMT, WFR, licensed in Catamarca / Assistant as applicable.
- Insurance: Personal Accident - Civil Liability.
- Satellite Communication
- First Aid Kit, VHF Communication.
- Use of medical oxygen in case of emergencies.
- Logistics:
- Entrance registration for the mountain area at Paso San Francisco.
- Round trip transfer in a private 4x4 vehicle from Fiambalá.
- Off-road transfer to the mountain. Altitude subject to terrain conditions and accessibility.
- Personalized:
- Specialized personalized pre-trip assistance.
- Advice on equipment rental or purchase.
- Small groups.
The informal lunch consists of empanadas or snacks. Special options are considered due to health restrictions.
Not Included Services:
- Breakfast of 'Day 1'
- Personal clothing / personal gear.
- Dinner at the inn.
- Meals during the hike / Meals outside the mountain itinerary.
- Drinks.
- Round trip from Catamarca to Fiambalá (325km).
- Access fee to 'Balcón del Pissis' road.
- Access fee to the Fiambalá Hot Springs (if applicable).
- Other extras not specified in the program.
- Expenses incurred due to abandoning the activity.
- Rescue and evacuation expenses.
Optional Services (not included):
- High-quality photography without a watermark.
- Drone photography / video.
- Special menu for vegetarian, keto, vegan, etc. options.
"Excellent experience in the high altitudes of Catamarca The itinerary was designed for proper acclimatization, including routes with beautiful landscapes. Sil was attentive to every detail, taking care of the group, ensuring maximum enjoyment, and willing to teach. She was also very attentive to the prior arrangements, providing guidance on the necessary equipment to ensure nothing was missing. Thank you, Sil, for a wonderful experience, for the care and encouragement at the right moments. Florencia G. - Bertran Volcano Expedition.
"An unforgettable experience! My first summit at 4,500 meters above sea level, climbing Falso Morocho with Silvina, on the Six-Miles Route in Catamarca! Silvina takes care of every detail, from health and pre-training to food and well-being during rest periods, to make the expedition a spectacular experience! She also took us to the Ruta de los Adobes and the Cañón del Indio in the San Francisco Pass! I'm so grateful to Silvina for accompanying me and encouraging me to undertake this first high-altitude expedition! And there will be many more to come! Juana Miñones - Bertran Volcano Expedition.
