The Descent from Cerro Austria in the Condoriri Valley of Boliva

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Cerro Austria is stunning peak located in the spectacular Condoriri Valley a few hours outside of La Paz, Bolivia. At 17,698 feet it can be easily done in a day however you need to spend the night at the base camp to properly acclimatize before the hike.  It took only three hours to climb up from our base camp at 15,500 to the summit of Cerro Austria at 17,698 feet (5,396 meters). Thankfully we had left early because a storm was moving in. If we didn’t get down soon we would be trapped.

The view atop Austria Peak were outstanding but the darkness in the clouds is what made us want to move fast.

I had never heard the eerie sound of thunder in the high mountains before. It is a sound you don’t want to hear. Every rumble and boom bounces off the mountains, echoing in a loud, frightening way. It wasn’t too close yet but it was moving in.

We headed down gingerly given the slippery slopes. The clouds grew more and more laden with rain. But at least the views were stunning.

Up close look at a glacial pond.

About an hour into our climb down, the storm arrived first pelting us with rain and then turning into painful hail. It was getting extremely slippery and the chance of lightening was increasing.

Javier told us that llamas are pretty intelligent and can sense when a storm is dangerous. They find shelter and wait it out alongside a hill that protects them from getting struck by lightening. When the danger passes, they leave.

Wet and tired, we arrived at our base camp. Unfortunately the weather only got worse and we spent the rest of the day cold inside our tents. But it was a hike I’d never forget.

And I knew we would have a delicious hot meal awaiting for dinner.

Eugenia, our cook, inside the “kitchen” tent gives us a big smile.

 

 

15 thoughts on “The Descent from Cerro Austria in the Condoriri Valley of Boliva”

  1. scillagrace – Oregon – I began this blog when I entered my 50th year of life. I have always enjoyed writing and taking photographs. My sister did a profound personal photo project the year she was turning 50, so once again, I followed in her footsteps, taking her idea and doing it my way. My life has changed dramatically in recent years, and I have changed with it. My husband died, my kids moved out, I sold our home and moved to Wisconsin, then followed my kids to Oregon. I suppose I have a lot to process, and I'm sure there will be more.
    scillagrace on said:

    A cold, wet day with llamas outside your tent, high in the Andes…could be worse! A LOT worse!

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    • thirdeyemom – Writer, traveler, hiker and global humanitarian traveling the world and doing good. Member of Impact Travel Alliance Media Network. 40+ countries and still wandering sharing my journey along the way.
      thirdeyemom on said:

      Ha Ha! Love that! 🙂

      Reply ↓
  2. Peggy Ryan Designs – Bologna, Italy – I'm an educator, photographer, arts marketer & Italy travel expert. Instagram: @gracefully_global | Twitter: @gglobal_blog
    mfryan on said:

    The glacial pond and the llamas are amazing! With your descriptions I feel like I was there!

    Reply ↓
    • thirdeyemom – Writer, traveler, hiker and global humanitarian traveling the world and doing good. Member of Impact Travel Alliance Media Network. 40+ countries and still wandering sharing my journey along the way.
      thirdeyemom on said:

      Thanks so much!! 🙂

      Reply ↓

  3. Even with a thunderstorm coming in, it must have been quite a hike/climb – and worth all the sweat and hard work. Beautiful pictures.

    Reply ↓
    • thirdeyemom – Writer, traveler, hiker and global humanitarian traveling the world and doing good. Member of Impact Travel Alliance Media Network. 40+ countries and still wandering sharing my journey along the way.
      thirdeyemom on said:

      Thanks so much! It was so beautiful there. I love the Andes. 🙂

      Reply ↓
    • thirdeyemom – Writer, traveler, hiker and global humanitarian traveling the world and doing good. Member of Impact Travel Alliance Media Network. 40+ countries and still wandering sharing my journey along the way.
      thirdeyemom on said:

      🙂

      Reply ↓
    • thirdeyemom – Writer, traveler, hiker and global humanitarian traveling the world and doing good. Member of Impact Travel Alliance Media Network. 40+ countries and still wandering sharing my journey along the way.
      thirdeyemom on said:

      Yes animals are so amazing, aren’t they? Follow the llama right!

      Reply ↓
  6. anotherday2paradise – Durban South Africa and Florida USA – I enjoy writing about absolutely anything, and started blogging with WordPress in 2012. This was my 'Hammock Lady' blog, and I really enjoyed sharing my travels here: http://adinparadise.wordpress.com/ In November 2013, I decided it was time for a change of scenery, so I started my blog afresh, and here it is. I love to travel, and have been fortunate enough to do two round-the-world trips and visit more than forty countries so far. This year we visited our 7th continent, Antarctica. I enjoy photographing wildlife, especially in my backyard in Florida. I was born and brought up in England. My husband and I emigrated to South Africa in 1970. We now live in Florida, USA. I have a son and a daughter and five gorgeous grandchildren currently aged between 6 and 21 years. I'm so happy that you've taken the time to visit my blog, and would love for you to join me on my travels. Sylvia.
    anotherday2paradise on said:

    Fantastic views, Nicole. I can only imagine how welcome that meal must have been. 🙂

    Reply ↓
    • thirdeyemom – Writer, traveler, hiker and global humanitarian traveling the world and doing good. Member of Impact Travel Alliance Media Network. 40+ countries and still wandering sharing my journey along the way.
      thirdeyemom on said:

      Thanks Sylvia! The views were unforgettable.

      Reply ↓

  7. You are simply amazing! I have been near the top of Mt Humphrey in Flagstaff during an electrical storm so I know how scary that can be. But I have never been in a situation like the two of you.

    Reply ↓
    • thirdeyemom – Writer, traveler, hiker and global humanitarian traveling the world and doing good. Member of Impact Travel Alliance Media Network. 40+ countries and still wandering sharing my journey along the way.
      thirdeyemom on said:

      I don’t know about that LuAnn! I guess I just like to challenge myself and “carpe diem” as my dad always says!

      Reply ↓
  8. Nilzeitung – West Europas – Danke für ihren Besuch.!!"dieser Seite im Aufbau". Es stimmt, dass es keine Freiheit ohne Pressefreiheit gibt. Wahrer Frieden des Journalismus ist eine der Säulen der Demokratie (Salah El-Nemr) se/nz.
    nilzeitung on said:

    Reblogged this on Nilzeitung.

    Reply ↓

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