It is a “small” Altiplano summit, just above the village of Parinacota. In front of the 19700 ‘ high volcanoes it looks even short, but it offers a 360 degrees panorama on this part of Chile. And it is as well a perfect summit to get use to altitude : 4×4 access to 15400′ and only 2 and half hours to reach the top at 16722’.
The day starts one more time by crossing the Altiplano by car to reach the trailhead.
Bofedales (swampy pasture) are everywhere along this dirt road, and the green of the grass looks almost artificial. A lot of lamas are enjoying those places.
The end of the road is steep but the 4×4 doesn’t seem to worry. Air is still rare at this altitude and the first steps are not easy. Once in movement, everything feels better and finally, step by step, the summit is getting closer. The path is not always well marked, and it is possible to go up almost everywhere but it seems easier to follow the north-west ridge.
From the top, the panorama is indeed incredible, but a thunderstorm is already on the volcano Parinacota.
Therefore we won’t stay too long, just enough to appreciate the 360 degrees scenery and to enjoy this first summit of the trip. Going down is easy and fairly enjoyable, right in the volcanic ashes, surrounded by huge llaretas (stone hard giant mosses). Once at the car, the first rain drop are starting to fall.
