Mt. Ojos del Salado (6893 m) climb, Chile. 7 Volcanoes Project
Arrival at Copiapo (CPO). Airport pick-up and transfer to the hotel. Later in the afternoon we will have a team orientation, gear check up, and explore the town. Dinner and overnight at the hotel.
After breakfast, we will do a gear check up and rope training session. Later we will go on a short hike. After lunch, enjoy free time, relax before dinner. Overnight at Laguna Verde Camp 4,300m.
After early breakfast, we’ll drive up to Tejos Refuge 5,800m. From there we’ll start our climb (10-12 hours in total) to Ojos del Salado 6,893m. After the summit, we descend to Tejos Refuge and drive back to Laguna Verde. Dinner and overnight stay at the camp.
PAYMENT POLICY
A deposit of $1,000 is due at time of registration to reserve a space on the expedition.
A full payment is due 60 days prior to the expedition start date.
CANCELATION POLICY
Refunds will not be issued for cancellations made less than 60 days prior to the scheduled date.
Price includes
- All ground transportation on scheduled dates
- Meeting at Transfer from and to the Airport (arrival and departure dates)
- Two nights 5* hotel accommodation, double occupancy. Single room available for an additional charge (Breakfast included)
- Huts and tents along the expedition (single occupancy)
- All group equipment
- All Camp equipment: kitchen, mess tent with tables, chairs and tableware, meals and drinks, toilet tent
- Drivers, local guides, cook, servers
- All meals: breakfast, lunch, dinners and hot drinks, water
- Climbing permits
- 7 Summits Club Professional Mountain Guide
- Certificate and silver medal for the successful climb
- 7 Summits Club T-shirt and buff
- Celebration dinner after the climb
Price does not include
Detailed confirmation package will be sent upon booking.
- Round trip airfare to Copiapo
- All expenses incurred in the event of early departure (transport, extra hotel nights, evacuation fees, etc)
- Any extensions before or after the specified itinerary (we are happy to help you plan these)
- Alcoholic beverages
- Personal gear/ personal gear rentals
- Optional single room accommodation
- Personal expenses
- Required trip insurance policy (for trip cancellation, interruption, rescue & evacuation, medical treatment, repatriation, etc.)
- Tips and gratuities for the guides and personal
Additional services
Chile, Ojos del Salado (6893m), Mountaineering
Trip overview
Copiapó - Laguna Rosa (3,800m) - Laguna Verde (4,340m) - Atakama Camp (5,100m) - Tejos Refuge (5,800m) - Ojos del Salado Peak (6,893m) - Copiapo
Why go there?
With this program, we are launching a new project called "7 Volcanoes." Our journey begins in the city of Copiapó, located 800 km north of Santiago, in the Atacama Desert region. From there, we will embark on a climbing expedition and road trip to the highest volcano in the world – Ojos del Salado (6,893 m).
We will drive through the driest and hottest place on Earth, filled with mirages and illusions, and captivating with its ever-changing colors. Our first two camps will be set by lakes – first at Laguna Rosa (Pink Lake) and then at Laguna Verde (Green Lake), where we can also relax in Hot Springs.
If all goes as planned, we will stand on the top of the highest peak in Chile on the 12th day of our expedition. The following day, we’ll unwind in Copiapó or on the Pacific beaches, about 100 km away in the city of Antofagasta, based on your preference.
After the expedition, you’ll also have the option to visit Santiago, Chile’s capital, surrounded by mountains. There, you can enjoy the country’s famous wines and, if desired, take a trip to the renowned coastal beaches of Valparaíso or Viña del Mar.
Why climb with us?
- 7 summits provides the best service and accommodation during the whole trip
- 7 Summits provides comfortable accommodation during the climb, comfortable huts equipped with dormitories and dining areas
- 7 Summits has the most extensive experience in organizing commercial climbs and challenging high-altitude expeditions
- The highest success rate for summits
- Reliable and trusted local partners
- We offer 5% discounts for your next adventures with us
- We have the most experienced and qualified guides, including world- renowned mountaineers
Personal gear
GEAR LIST
General Information
Each item on the list below is required unless specified to be optional
If seasonal fluctuations impact the requirement for an item on your list, it will be specified
All other items are required regardless of the forecast to ensure your well-being, as weather and conditions can change quickly in the mountains
TRAVEL ITEMS
- Day Pack
Lightweight 35 - 45 L
This pack will be used as a carryon bag for the trip to Chili and then for trekking, and summit day.
- Expedition Duffel Bag
150-liter expedition-ready duffel bag used to transport all gear. All items need to fit securely into the duffel bag.
- Casual Travel Clothes
We recommend wearing clean clothing while traveling and before and after your trip. It's a good idea to pack a comfortable variety of outfits, including some t-shirts, swimsuits (optional).
TECHNICAL CLOTHING
- Baselayer Bottom
2 pairs of thermal bottoms: one light weight and one medium weight. Fabric: wool, wool blend, synthetic or polyester. No cotton.
- Baselayer Tops
2 thermal long sleeved tops: one light weight and one medium weight. Fabric: wool or synthetic. No cotton.
- 1 sun hoodie, preferably light colored.
- Trekking Pants
A pair of lightweight trekking pants. Zippered pockets are good and thigh vents can be useful on hot days. “Convertible” pants are useful to turn into shorts on hot days. We also recommend synthetic fabrics.
- Softshell Pants
Non-insulated, stretchy softshell pants that should fit comfortably with or without your baselayer bottoms.
- Hardshell Pants
These must fit over your thermal under layers and softshell pants. These must be non-insulated, lightweight, waterproof and have full zips on the side to get on and off over your climbing boots and crampons.
- Insulated Synthetic Pants
These will be worn around camp and may be useful to climb in on summit day depending on temperature. Fabric: Synthetic or Down. Medium weight is ideal. These should fit over both your thermal under layers and your climbing pants. These must have full zips on the sides to get them on and off over your climbing boots and crampons without taking your boots off.
- Midlayer Top
A midweight, lightweight fleece layer for use over baselayers. Hoods are optional but recommended. Very light down jackets can also suffice as a midlayer.
- Softshell Jacket
This breathable, wind-and-weather resistant jacket is a key part of a mountaineering layering system. A hooded model is highly recommended. This layer must fit well over your midlayer top and baselayer top.
- Hardshell Jacket
A non-insulated, fully waterproof shell jacket with a hood. This layer must fit comfortably over your baselayer, midlayer, softshell, and potentially a lightweight insulated layer. Helmet-compatible hoods are required.
- Lightweight Insulated Jacket
You may use this as a layering piece or as stand-alone insulation when appropriate. Down or synthetic insulation. Down is more packable and lighter weight, and synthetic insulation will retain warmth when wet.
- Down Parka
Expedition style parka should be heavily insulated with high-quality down fill (800-fill or more) and must have an insulated hood. It should fit comfortably over the rest of your upper body layers. Down sweaters or light puffy jackets will not be sufficient.
HANDWEAR
- Lightweight Liner Gloves
Lightweight wool or synthetic liner gloves.
- Softshell Gloves
Midweight, lightly insulated gloves. Leather-palm construction is recommended.
- Insulated Shell Gloves/ Climbing Gloves
One pair of warm shell gloves with insulated removable liners. We recommend models with a durable leather palm.
These need to have room in the fingers to not be constructive and cut off warmth and circulation to your fingers. More room in the gloves is better than less. You must have enough dexterity to use your technical gear (ascender, carabiners, rappel device) while wearing these gloves. It is important to be very familiar with these gloves and get used to using them with your gear before your climb.
- Expedition Mittens/ 8000 mitts
These must fit over your medium weight liner gloves and your heavy weight climbing gloves without constriction. Larger is always better than smaller. These down mitts serve as a backup in case you drop a glove or your hands are simply too cold in the heavy weight gloves and need a warmer option (gloves plus mitts).
- Hand Warmers and Foot Warmers (Optional)
Bring enough pairs to get you through the expedition but not more as they are heavy to carry up the mountain. If you are bringing the Hotronics electric foot warmers you will likely not need the chemical warmers. Note: chemical hand warmers use oxygen to burn so do not work well at high altitude and the foot warmers in the boots do not really work at all on summit day.
HEADWEAR
- Buff Neck Gaiter
- Balaclava
- Sunhat
- Wool or Synthetic Ski Hat
- Glacier Glasses
These must be the high quality darkest lenses you can buy (Cat 4) and have full coverage around the eyes to block all light.
- Sunglasses (Optional)
These must be high quality dark lenses.
- Ski Goggles
High-quality goggles for sun and wind protection at altitude.
These must be the darkest lenses you can buy (Cat 4). If your goggles accept multiple lenses, bring one super dark lense and one clear or high light transmission yellow for low-light/high wind conditions.
Note: If you need prescription Glacier Glasses contact the manufacturer for options well in advance of your trip.
- Headlamp
A headlamp 200-300 Lumens. Please bring extra batteries.
FOOTWEAR
- Liner Socks
2-3 pairs of liner socks.
- Wool or Synthetic Socks
3 pairs of medium to heavy hiking socks. These must fit over your liner socks if you plan to wear liner socks.
- Gaiters
Full-sized waterproof gaiters that must fit snugly over your boots. If using a boot with a built-in gaiter, separate gaiters are not necessary.
- Hiking Boots or Trekking Shoes
For any approaches across dry trails. High comfort, plenty of room in the toe box, and good ankle support. Note: Street/city style shoes will not be allowed in place of hiking shoes.
- Double Boots
Double boots designed for mountaineering. Plastic-shelled models are sufficient, but modern non-plastic boots are more comfortable and are highly recommended.
Note: single boots of any kind (boots without a removable liner) will not be sufficient.
If using a boot with a built-in gaiter, separate gaiters are not necessary.
- Sport Sandals
- Crocs for use in Base Camps
CLIMBING EQUIPMENT
- Alpine Ice Axe
12 Point Crampons
- General mountaineering crampons. We recommend modern steel 12-point crampons with anti-balling plates. Note: do not bring 10-point, aluminum, or single-piece rigid crampons, and no vertical-style front points, because they are more aggressive than you need and are dangerous for less technical sections.
- Trekking Poles
These must be lightweight and collapsible to fit in your duffel bag. The “flick lock” style is the most reliable.
- Climbing Helmet
A lightweight climbing-specific helmet. This must fit comfortably over your bare head, hat, and/or balaclava, and your headlamp must be able to strap securely to the outside of the helmet.
- Climbing Harness
Your harness must fit over all of your clothing, feature a belay loop, gear loops, adjustable leg loops and waist belt. We recommend detachable leg loops for expeditions and trips in cold environments, thus allowing you to put the harness on with both feet on the ground while wearing crampons. If you choose a fixed leg loop harness like the Petzl Sitta make sure you practice taking it on and off efficiently before your climb.
- Self-Belay (double lanyard) with Two Locking Carabiners
Bring self-belay with two locking carabiners.
- 5 Locking Carabiners
- Ascender
- ATC Descender
PERSONAL EQUIPMENT
- Expedition quality sleeping bag (-20F/-30C)
Sleeping bag should be rated to -20°F and must be down-filled, not synthetic. Those who sleep cold should strongly consider a -40°F sleeping bag.
- Inflatable Sleeping Pad
- Foam Pad
- Water Bottles
2 one-liter wide-mouth hard-sided water bottles.
Camelback-type hydration systems or soft-sided water bottles are unacceptable. They freeze, pop and break.
- Water Bottle Parkas
2 insulated water bottle parkas that fully cover your water bottle with closing lids.
We recommend the Forty Below Bottle Boot or the Outdoor Research Water Bottle Parka.
- 1 Liter Stainless Steel Thermos
- Personal Utensils
Mug, bowl, spoon, knife.
- 0.5 Nalgene Bottle (Optional)
This baby Nalgene bottle is ideal for hot drinks. Because of the size and the leak-proof lid, it allows you to stick the bottle in your pocket or inside your jacket.
- Pee Bottle
Collapsible or hard-sided 1 liter Nalgene models.
- Pee Funnel For Women
Optional. Practice is needed for the use of this item.
- Sunscreen
Should be with a high zinc content and sweat resistance. This must be 30 spf or higher.
- Lip Balm with SPF 30+
- Water purification: Iodine tablets, filter or UV treatment
Water on the upper mountain is usually just melted, not boiled. It is very important to have a way to purify your drinking water up high.
- Altitude Watch (Optional)
- Small Pocket Size Camera (Optional)
- Solar Panel (Optional); Power Bank
- Medical Kit
Should include: blister kit, low dose aspirin, Band-Aids, wound closure strips, triple antibiotic ointment, basic repair kit, scissors, Diamox (acetazolamide, 125mg) for AMS, nifedipine (for pulmonary edema, time release), dexamethasone (for cerebral edema, 4mg), antacids, NSAIDs such as aspirin or ibuprofen, anti-diarrheal, duct tape, ear plugs, Antibiotics (upper respiratory such as Azithromycin and a gastro-intestinal such as Ciprofloxacin), melatonin, Asthma medication if you use it (Advair), cold and flu medication. Prescription medications in consultation with your doctor.
- Toiletry Bag
Should Include: toilet paper, hand sanitizer, toothbrush, toothpaste, wet wipes, shampoo,
trek towel (compact and quick drying), and any personal medications or prescriptions. Choose a quantity appropriate for the length of your trip.
- Snacks
We recommend assortments of hard candies; chocolate; dried fruits; special athletic foods such as energy gels (Gu); electrolytes (Nuun); Clif Shot Bloks; energy bars; protein bars; trail mix nuts.
- We have the biggest record of orginizing many commertial technical and altitude expeditions.
- Our guides are highly experience with guide work on many serious climbs all over the world.
- We offer the best accommodation and food conditions. Your personal needs any special kinds of food will be considered.
- You can contact your personal advisor in the gear issue for free consultation. Plus free delivery of your personal rented gear to base camp.
