Ojos Day 8 - El Muerto attempt - 6300m

Today is a big day ahead: 1400m of positive altitude gain, starting from 5080m. We get up at 3:30am, dress up for the cold and try to ingest toasts with Jamon and melted cheese. Beurk! luckily the tea washes the mouthfuls sticking to the back of the throat.

Psychedelic sunrise

The snow is ankle deep at places, and the slopes are sandy and offer poor support

Fernando's legendary latino elegance

Contemplating the task ahead

200 metres below the summit: 6300 meters. Olivier and Fernando reached about 6350 metres.

Here is the highest point attained shown on the map (point B):



Agrandir le plan

And now, the looong descent, during which Olivier has terrible headaches.

The way down passes through knee-deep snow patches.

Ojos del Salado, in its worrying grandeur.

El Muerto.

Nevado de Tres Cruces in the background, and Vigunas and Barrancas Blancas on the right.

Homomorphic lava boulders. This one looks like a Moai from Easter Island.

A well deserved rest... with odoriferous feet!