Challenge Bolivia

 In theory the Challenge is pretty simple, you've got five days to get to the top of 5 really big mountains in Bolivia. In practice it's near impossible. To get anywhere close requires months of training, preparation and careful planning as well as some serious jeeps, drivers, guides - and a good cook helps too!

Volcan Uturuncu

The first mountain to be climbed stands at 6008m above sea level (almost 20,000ft) and is the highest peak in the South West of Bolivia, so not exactly an easy stroll  to start the challenge. Fortunately there is a road that allows you to start walking from just above 5000m but even the best acclimatised members will be struggling for air towards the top!

 Volcan Licancabur (left) and Volcan Juriques (right)

 The second mountain Juriques is the lowest peak in the challenge at 5704m but due to difficult rocky terrain takes over 7 hours to ascend. It is then a dash back down the scree slopes just before dark to get some food and an early night ready for the third mountain early the next morning. Licancabur, the third peak, is arguably the most difficult mountain in the challenge with an 8 hour ascent to the summit meaning an extremely cold start before the sun comes up in the morning. It is a sacred mountain with Inca built platforms up the eastern slopes and also the site of the highest ever scuba dive (5920m) which occurred in November 2003 in its crater lake.

Volcan Sairecabur

Sairecabur is the second highest peak to be conquered standing at 5978m. It should also be one of the easier mountains as jeeps are able to give access to a higher altitude to begin the climb but in reality, having climbed 3 peaks in the three days previous nothing could be further from the truth!

Volcan Ollague

The final mountain stands at 5869m and is the only volcano in the challenge to permanently emit steam from a point just south of the peak. To reach the final summit within 5 days will require a very early start and a huge final push from the team but the feeling and views from the top will be something to be remembered for a very long time!