June 14, 2007

Guide Andrew Wexler called today at 3pm from the Condoriri Valley after two succesful summits! Team Gran Poder once again split up to attempt two different routes, one on Pyramida Blanca and one on Pequeno Alpamayo, and all members of the team reached their respective summits. Andrew said the route they did on Pyramida Blanca, the Direct Route (also called the Face), is rarely in condition, but they found it in perfect form and climbed five long steep pitches of mixed climbing right off the get-go then finished on a nice ridge leading to the summit. The team that climbed Pequeno Alpamayo also found great conditions and had a lot of fun. "The weather is absolutely perfect," Andrew said. "It's really, really nice - we've lucked out so far." Tonight is the team's last night in the Condoriri. Tomorrow they will head out of the valley, and plan to travel Sunday to Huayna Potosi (variously calculated from 19,996 to 20,011 feet).