SARIRI

The Andes are a majestic mountain range, inspiring awae not only through their height but also through their deep cultural significance. In Bolivia and Peru, these mountains are considered sacred, and moving through them requires respect, patience, and humility. For our group — Mascht and Vali from Austria, Paul from Germany, and myself from Switzerland — the goal was never just steep ski descents above 6,000 meters. We wanted to understand the local relationship with the mountains and learn from the people who call them home.

We arrived in La Paz ten days before our first major objective, immediately feeling the effects of altitude at over 3,600 meters. The city buzzed with life: street vendors, spices, traffic, and stray dogs resting in the shade. Acclimatization took us through remote valleys, past abandoned mines and grazing llamas, gradually pushing us above 5,000 meters. Only then did we feel ready to aim higher, setting our sights on Huayna Potosí (6,088 m). Guided by Sergio, we crossed golden grass steppes before carrying our skis to the glacier. Despite thin air and physical discomfort, the first successful descent brought pure joy — flowing turns etched into high-altitude snow.

Not every plan unfolded as hoped. The Condoriri massif tested us differently: heavy rain, illness, and hard ice forced us to turn back. It was a reminder that in the Andes, conditions and decisions matter more than ambition. Our next objective, Chachacomani (6,074 m), required a three-day approach with porters and muleteers carrying heavy loads through a stunning high valley. As storms rolled in, they sheltered in straw huts while we lay in our sleeping bags — a humbling contrast that stayed with us.

At dawn, we navigated crevasses and icy slopes, eventually reaching the summit. The reward was overwhelming: views stretching from the Amazon rainforest to the Altiplano and Lake Titicaca. The descent followed three different lines, later confirmed as likely first descents.

In Peru, the journey continued from Huaraz to Nevado Pisco and finally Tocllaraju (6,034 m). Technical terrain, unstable snow, and complex glaciers demanded full focus. The final summit and cautious descent, including rappels through icefall terrain, marked a fitting conclusion to five intense weeks in South America.

This journey was never easy or comfortable. We were exposed, often exhausted, and dependent on each other and on local support. But it was precisely these challenges — physical, mental, and human — that made the experience meaningful. In the Andes, every turn is earned, and every line carries a deeper story.

✒️📸 Andri Bieger