Ritacuba Blanco 05.18.12

Meeting the glacier

Early morning start, so not many photos before the glacier. This is a view down into the valley already covered by clouds.
We finally reached the glacier but climbed along the moraine a bit before stepping out onto the melting snow pack. To our relief, the rainy mist soon turned to snow as we gained altitude.

Glacier travel at over 16,000 ft

Conditions quickly turned to scattered whiteout making our glacier feel very expansive as we followed the climber-dot in front of us.

We roped up when we got near the ridge with 4000-ft drops on either side. Sometimes the clouds broke for a nice view. (Ritacuba Negro in background)

Summit is just ahead!

The sun came out momentarily for us to see the summit looming ahead.

Our guide scooted on up and fixed the ropes for us for our ascent.
We were thrilled to be tied off when we saw the treat at the summit.

Logisitcs

One day travel North-east of Bogota by way of bus: nice seats, bano, food, delayed if mudslide or traffic blocking the often one-lane dirt road.
Bus company is Concordia or Fugadores, 45,000pesos, (too-early-)am and pm departure, 280km

El Cocuy National Park: park station in El Cocuy, trip reports, pay land fees 35,000pesos, amenities
Baked chicken dinner is tasty and inexpensive, their coffee is fresh as can be

Drive to Trailhead (Cabanas Kanwara): 1.5hrs by truck from El Cocuy, tent camp or stay in cabanas, meals and water available (recommend filtering/sterilizing as sheep openly graze at water source), water on trail (might get away without filtering if flowing water)
Use of guide recommended unless fluent in Espanol, previous FARC territory, seems safe today, amazing park area, 32F


Gear:
Headlamp
Sunblock
Gloves
Gaiters
Boots
Water purifier
Rain jacket
Rain Pants
Backpack cover
Ice Ax
Rope
Harness
Crampons
Prussiks
Camera
Hat
Buff
Glacier Glasses
Coca Leaves - have enough to share and you'll make new friends

Images

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