New heights reached by Perse students on Bolivia adventure
Intrepid Perse students rose to the challenge as they completed the Summit 12 expedition to Bolivia.
Twenty-five Lower Sixth students took part in the 17-day adventure, which started in Santiago De Okola, a small Aymara indigenous community based on the shores of Lake Titicaca.
The first few days were used not only to acclimatise, having flown straight into an altitude of 3,800m, but also to explore and understand the incredible culture and traditions that Bolivia has to offer.
After a day’s rest, and their first (of many) portions of soup, the students hiked up the Tortuga and Dragon Dormido, which offered beautiful views over the lake.
In the evenings, the students were introduced to the traditional farming techniques and textile weaving conducted by the locals. Two of them even had the opportunity to try the traditional dress of the Aymara people!
Following their stay in Santiago De Okola, the students endured a long and bumpy bus journey into the Cordillera Real. Then, it was a short walk to the first campsite, which was slightly taken over by the local llamas and alpacas. After a first chilly night, it was time to properly begin the trek phase.
The first day was a short and sweet walk to Ajuani refuge, where the students were greeted by, you guessed it, more soup! Following a windy night in the tents, the group took on their longest trek day, which included two passes, both showing an impressive view over Huayna Potosi and the Cordillera Real.
Arriving in Juri Khota camp, the group was ready for a rest day to help acclimatise in preparation for the summit(s). This included a not-so restful quiz between the Fires, with tricky questions about the guides and staff, and a bonus round pitching a Dragon’s Den idea for the most useful (or whacky) imaginary item one could have on a Summit 12 expedition! The rest day was greatly appreciated and made for a quick trek day from Juri Khota to Condoriri Base Camp.
The students enjoyed a glacier training day at Condorini in preparation for the summit,
which included the almighty ice axe arrest practice. That night, the teams set off ready to summit Tarija (5,100m above sea level).
It was a cold and windy summit attempt, but became worth it as soon as the first rays of sun hit the glacier and the teams were rewarded with a beautiful view over the Bolivian plateau, all the way down to Lake Titicaca.
Most students were able to summit, but there was little time to enjoy it, as after returning to Condoriri Base Camp and having their 18th soup of the trip, it was time to head over to Huayna Potosi Base Camp in preparation for the second summit.
Following another bumpy journey along the dirt tracks, the students arrived at Huayna Potosi Base Camp unable to see two metres in front of them, let alone the summit as the cloud had come in. The group sat and waited in hope for some improvement in the weather, but unfortunately, it only got worse as once the cloud shifted, the blizzards arrived. At this point, the decision was made to escape to La Paz for some much-needed non-soup meals and souvenir shopping.
In La Paz, the group were greeted to hot showers, llama jumpers, brightly patterned trousers and traditional ponchos.
Alas, the expedition was almost over, but not without a visit to the Valle de Luna (moon valley), as well as a thrilling cable car ride over the roofs of the city.
Perse Director of Outdoor Education Ben Parker said: “The students boarded the plane to Bogotá with a strong sense of achievement for enduring such a long trip, alongside many mutterings over returning to Bolivia when they finish school.”