Pisco Oeste (Western Pisco) Climber's Log

Viewing: 61-80 of 80
packet

packet - Aug 18, 2006 7:40 pm Date Climbed: Jul 13, 2006

Standard Route  Sucess!

Climbed the standard route starting from the moraine camp. About 40 minutes to the glacier, total time to summit about 4 hours. Got to the top as dawn was breaking. Spectacular views of the area. The ice wall is a lot smaller this year than previous years, maybe 10ft high with 50 degree slope at the top that goes for 120ft or so.

iwlclmeverest

iwlclmeverest - Aug 11, 2006 9:42 pm Date Climbed: Jul 11, 2006

Normal Route  Sucess!

The most enjoyable mountain I have ever climbed, but I still have nightmares of that never ending moraine field. The conditions and the weather were wonderful as well. I think Pisco has some of the greatest views in the Blanca.

Lubos

Lubos - Aug 2, 2006 1:28 am Date Climbed: Jul 3, 2001

Normal route  Sucess!

Pisco is an easy mountain to climb usually used to acclimate before climbing higher peaks in Peru. Close to the summit there is a steep section. Very nice views from the top on surrounding Cordillera Blanca mountains. Rating PD. Solo climb.

skiibum21

skiibum21 - Jun 7, 2006 10:52 pm Date Climbed: Jun 3, 2006

Standard Route  Sucess!

The conditions on the glacier were great, there was a little fresh snow but nothing to serious. The 3 meter ice step was not to difficult to get up, but can be a little tricky down climbing. The weather was good but we had clouds roll in about a half an hour before the summit, so no views. Get to the summit between 7 and 8 for better chance to see the views!

ElCapitanKoolAid

ElCapitanKoolAid - May 22, 2006 4:07 am

A great intro to Peru  Sucess!

My first mountain in Peru.

Tomás Blázquez

Tomás Blázquez - Feb 15, 2006 11:13 pm

Conditions have changed!  Sucess!

To climb the normal route, you have to be careful with a 50 metres section where you will find ice (50º). To descent this section you have to use the rope!

Fuse

Fuse - Nov 20, 2005 11:29 pm

Route Climbed: SW Ridge Date Climbed: Nov. 02  Sucess!

Left the Refugio at 1am, reached the Col at sunrise. Traversed 50 degree slopes just up from the Col and placed a few screws and pickets. Summited in a whiteout. Sun returned, we descended in mash potatoes. Overall very enjoyable.

urbanautic - Oct 18, 2005 6:46 am

Route Climbed: normal Date Climbed: early July 2003  Sucess!

different from other contributors, that time we had no problems with steep ice. The snow was rather hard firn with a 5 co cover of new snow. After good aclimatisation while trekking in Peru and climbing in Bolivia, we found Pisco quite easy, good aclimatisation climb. We did not use ice axes although we had them. Bigger problem than a 3 m steeper firn was a hidden crevasse in front of it. But with a little bit of alertness this was no problem. Problem with Pisco is that thanks to no technical difficulties and good services like refugio and donkeys there are too many absolutely nonexperienced turists. I believe that this service and jumarring after a guide is not mountaineering. I do my ascents with alpin style - sport and if I am not succefull due to weather or my condition I have to try next time. Only my opinion

Peak_Bagger

Peak_Bagger - Sep 9, 2005 4:55 pm

Route Climbed: SW Slopes Date Climbed: July 19 2005  Sucess!

Great views from the top of this one, Artesan especially. Nice route too, the wall is a good intro to tech climbs in the Blanca. But beware of the crowds, inexperienced climbers, and inconsiderate guides. Our team waited nearly an hour as there were nearly 30 people at the wall. I watched as 3 rope teams tried to ascend all at the same time. I forgot my helmet and got hit in the head by a large chunk of ice. Other than this part the route is ok.

GlennMerrill

GlennMerrill - Aug 7, 2005 11:53 pm

Route Climbed: SW Ridge Date Climbed: July 17, 2005  Sucess!

Great view of surrounding peaks. Skipped the base camp and went straight to the moraine camp.

soslaw

soslaw - Jul 5, 2005 5:38 pm

Route Climbed: South West Slope Date Climbed: June 25, 2005  Sucess!

Summited with Andre on a relatively clear and calm morning. Views of the surrounding peaks of the Cordillera Blanca are incredible. With a 60 meter, 50-60 degree pitch the route's grade should be increased to AD+.

davichoverde - Jul 2, 2005 7:20 am

Route Climbed: normal route Date Climbed: June 18, 2005

Our climbing team as well as others would change the rating for this climb from PD to AD because of the 50º pitch on the ice wall which is close to the summit. I was not disappointed at not reaching the goal since the view of all the sorrounding area is fantastic. Huandoy, Artesonraju, Chopicalqui, etc. Would't mind going back again but with better ice climbing equipment.

foolscongress

foolscongress - Feb 1, 2005 7:24 pm

Route Climbed: SW Ridge Date Climbed: 18 July 2002  Sucess!

Summited with my brother and some friends after two weeks of bad weather defeated us in the Paron Valley. Thought for a minute the direct south face would be nice, then watched the whole thing avalanche. We took the regular route to the top, and it was a long day for me. Left the meadow by the hut at 4 a.m. and didn't get back until 6 p.m. Beautiful mountain with spectacular views north and south. As has been mentioned, the last 50 meters was a little spicier than advertised.

amcfarre

amcfarre - Jul 15, 2004 5:04 pm

Route Climbed: Normal Date Climbed: June 14, 2004  Sucess!

Walked to Pisco's base camp as an extension of the Santa Cruz trek. Great first views of Pisco from the top of the pass. Being the dry season, our trek had constant clouds and rain nearly every day. But the rain and snow at base camp stopped and our summit day was perfectly clear. Great views!



Never climbed this mountain before 2004, but I can say it was harder than the guide books said.



Pictures and journals online at:

http://mcfarren.info/adam/outdoor/trekking/peru2004/

tiefenthaler

tiefenthaler - Jul 5, 2004 7:23 pm

Route Climbed: SW-slopes Date Climbed: 04 July 2004  Sucess!

As already said in the previous posts, Pisco is not a simple stroll anymore. When leading the steep ice pitch 2 ice-tools are recommended strongly. Should be rated harden than PD.

thomas.schmeidl

thomas.schmeidl - Jul 5, 2004 12:46 pm

Route Climbed: Normal Date Climbed: 4. July 2004  Sucess!

After 10cm of snow at the base camp the day before we had a nice climb.

At the moment Pisco should be graded harder than PD (see previous post).

Steve Pritchard

Steve Pritchard - Jun 23, 2004 5:00 pm

Route Climbed: Normal Date Climbed: 22 June 2004  Sucess!

Before attempting Pisco rumours abound that there was a change to the route, and that 2 ice tools are required. The night before we summited I met a British MIC who said that there was a section equivalent to Scottish grade 3 ice.



The majority of the route was straightforward, but there was a section of steep snow and ice to traverse. This was for about 45m of 50 degree slope, mainly underneath a serac. I found it quite precarious, having little steep ice experience. A girl turned back the previous day, saying she had no ice climbing experience. However my partners (who found it easy) put in an ice screw to protect this awkward traverse, and there was a snow stake in place before the straight up 50 degree climb. I only used one ice tool.



Just short of the summit the track straddles a cornice crack and I would advise staying to the right on the way up and the left on the way down. A good climb but from my limited experience pérhaps harder than a PD.

jamesfeldmann

jamesfeldmann - Oct 14, 2003 2:52 pm

Route Climbed: Dog route Date Climbed: July 19, 2002  Sucess!

After two weeks of poor conditions over around Paron and Artesonraju, friends and I regrouped in Huaraz before humbling ourselves with this peak. Damn fine to be atop and looking over into the Paron Valley. Damn fine to be there any which way. Crevasses were just about a problem, but still hop-able.



Pisco and Tambo (seek and ye shall find), don't leave Peru without 'em.

max - May 13, 2002 1:01 pm

Route Climbed: Normal (SW) Date Climbed: July 1999  Sucess!

Pisco gave us a good training and acclimatisation before we climbed Alpamayo and Huascaran

felix - May 13, 2002 4:34 am

Route Climbed: SW-Ridge (normal) Date Climbed: September 1997  Sucess!

The last peak in Peru for enjoying the beautiful peruvian mountains. Started early and had a fine time at the peak. Descend was not problematic.

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