A new page giving up-to-date news on the progress of our recent treks and expeditions, plus any interesting gossip and breaking news we have heard about South America in the past few months.
Skiing 2001
We've just finished our third season of running ski itineraries in Chile and the snow was better than ever. Our last trip, a ski-mountaineering expedition to Chile was phenomenally successful, everyone reached the top of everything, the weather was nearly perfect and the snow was the best and easiest to ski we've seen anywhere in the world! We achieved eight peaks and eight other skiing days in a 22 day itinerary. You should book now for next year. Take a look at our ski holidays index, lots more pictures to follow soon.
David Roberts skiing off the top of Volcan Llaima, September 2001
Our summer treks in Peru were on the whole very successful. The new itinerary in the Huayhuash, avoiding many of the new mines in the north of the range was well received, and the earthquake in June didn't affect things too badly. On both the treks we offer in Peru the majority of trekkers were successful on the four 'easy' peaks we had on offer.
Congratulations to Cerith and John who summitted on Alpamayo in early July 2001 with our Peruvian guide Damian. Here's a picture of the route taken last year
Our first trip to Brazil was a great success. We had stunning weather, great food and encountered some wonderful rock-climbing and scrambling. We may be going back very soon - let us know if you are interested. Not quite the Andes of course, but generally the same part of the world. Here's a picture of the 300m high Pedra do Bau. More pictures to follow soon at Brazilian rock.
Our three expeditions to Aconcagua had mixed fortunes. The weather was very poor early on and in common with all other teams on the mountain our Christmas trip did not manage to summit. In January we had a small group from both sides of the Irish sea - congratulations to George, Adam and Nigel who all summitted and well done Norman for getting so high! It's a shame you didn't leave any beer behind in Mendoza for the next expedition.
Our February expedition had great weather and four out of five clients reached the top. T-shirts were seen at 6000m for the first time and David, Lucy, Neil and Arthur all summitted. Brian shattered his previous altitude record, reaching 6700m.
Our first trip to Colombia, in January 2001, went very well, with most of the clients reaching two summits, El Ruiz and Santa Isabel. Our summit day on El Ruiz was blessed with stunningly good weather and we had a good view of the active crater of this volcano. A great country which we hope to go back to soon.
The new trekking guidebook is now available in good bookshops (e.g. www.waterstones.co.uk and www.amazon.co.uk ) and some climbing shops. See our guidebooks page for further information on this new title.
Our Mexico trip in March 2002 is already full. There is only one space left on our Aconcagua ascent at Christmas. In January and February 2002 we just have a few spaces now on trips.
Further Information
For further information about the Andes please contact us
or by phone on 01556 503929
use +44 1556 503929 if calling from outside the UK
or by fax at 01556 504633
or write to us at Andes, 37a St. Andrew Street, Castle Douglas, Kirkcudbrightshire, DG7 1EN, SCOTLAND
