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I'll be attempting to climb a few peaks in the area in January. As this isn't the normal climbing season for Peru, I'm wondering if anyone has climbed during that period ? My research shows that it's the wet season, but also peaks under 20,000' (Urus, Ishinca, Pastoruri, & a half dozen more) are doable. I've scanned summit logs and everybody has climbed mostly in June, July, & August. I thought I'd throw it out there and see if maybe anyone had any valuable information. Thanks.

Why would you want to go there during the worst time of the year? There are plenty of better Jan-Feb objectives...Mexico, Ecuador, the volcanoes in southern Peru, the central Andes in Chile/Argentina. I think you're wasting your time. You may be able to do things like Urus and Ishinca, but why would you go there to do those peaks when there are so many better things to do elsewhere?

I've got to agree with Tom on this one. Even if you can do the easier ones in the CB, they are apt to be more of a pain than fun at that time of the year and the weather could make the time between climbs miserable as well. Huaraz gets twice as much rain as Washington DC and you'll no doubt see much of it. If I went to Peru at that time of the year because of business or other reasons, I'd be looking at Arequipa rather than the CB for climbing.

Buz Groshong wrote: If I went to Peru at that time of the year because of business or other reasons, I'd be looking at Arequipa rather than the CB for climbing.

Add another vote for anywhere but CB that time of year. Cheers!

Yep, as a frequent traveller and climber in the CB, definitely not the best time to go...monsoon or rainy season I believe.

My plan is to be in South America for about (6) weeks (could be less, could be more). I thought that I'd spend about a week around Huaraz. After that I'm headed south towards Arequipa and northern Chile. Also will go through Bolivia. I love to experience the local culture as well as climbing. I'm guessing that I have nothing really to lose. Time I've got. I've lived in Ecuador and been there plenty (love it). Mexico would only be a short trip. So, I thought this would be interesting.

Has anyone actually been there that time of year ?

Peru, no, but a friend went to Bolivia in January one year and tried to climb. Went to Huayna Potosi - it just rained and rained and on the peak there was lots of snow and bad avalanches so he hardly got on it. Just a bad idea. Aparently Sajama/Parinacota/Pomerape are often doable in February.

D

Average rainfalls during January:

Copiapo Chile 0.00"

Calama, Chile 0.00"

Arequipa, Peru 0.68"

La Paz, Bolivia 4.33"

Huaraz, Peru 9.41"

Damien-now I see why it rained on your buddy so much. Huaraz might be nothing more than a period to acclimate, enjoy the culture, and maybe see a few sweet mountains.