Pisco (mountain) facts for kids
Pisco is a tall mountain located in Peru. It is part of the Cordillera Blanca mountain range, which is a section of the Andes mountains. Pisco stands about 60 kilometers north of the city of Huaraz.
Quick facts for kids Pisco |
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Pisco and Chacraraju reflection at Yanapaccha base camp
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| Highest point | |
| Elevation | 5,752 m (18,871 ft) |
| Listing | List of mountains in the Andes |
| Geography | |
 Pisco
Location in Peru
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| Parent range | Cordillera Blanca, Andes |
| Climbing | |
| First ascent | July 12, 1951 |
| Easiest route | glacier/snow |
Contents
First Climb
Pisco was first climbed on July 12, 1951. A team of four climbers made the first successful ascent. These climbers were C. Kogan, G. Kogan, R. Leininger, and M. Lenoir.
Climbing Pisco Today
Pisco used to be known as an easy mountain to climb. However, the main climbing path has changed a lot. The glacier on the mountain has melted quite a bit.
How Hard is the Climb?
Now, Pisco is much harder to climb. Depending on the time of year, climbers might face a large ice wall. This wall can be 50 to 60 meters tall. It has a steep slope of about 60 degrees.
Climbing experts now rate Pisco as "PD" on the French Alpine scale. This means it is "peu difficile," or "a little difficult." Experts believe Pisco will get even harder to climb. This is because the glacier continues to melt and shrink.
Guided Trips
Many companies in Huaraz offer guided trips to climb Pisco. These trips usually include everything you need. This means climbing gear, food, and transportation. A guide and sometimes a porter are also part of the trip.
Climbing Routes and Camps
The usual way to climb Pisco starts from a road to the south. Climbers go up to a pass (called a col) to the west. From there, they head to the top of the mountain.
There are a few places to set up camp on the mountain. There is also a base camp at the bottom. Climbers often use only one camp.
Base Camp
The first camp is called Cebollapampa. It is next to the road and a river in the valley.
Refugio Perú
The second camp is at Refugio Perú. This is a mountain hut located at 4,765 meters (about 15,633 feet). 9°1′46.6″S 77°37′46.4″W / 9.029611°S 77.629556°W
Moraine Camp
The third camp is called the 'moraine camp'. 9°1′24″S 77°38′31″W / 9.02333°S 77.64194°W It is just below the ice of the first glacier. Some climbers even set up a camp directly on the glacier. There is a flat spot perfect for this.
Some climbing groups travel from Huaraz to the moraine camp in one day. Then, they climb to the summit and return to Huaraz the next day.
What to Expect on the Climb
Most of the climb involves walking on snow slopes. These slopes can be up to 35 degrees steep. However, there is one section of about 100 meters (about 328 feet) that is very steep ice.
The views from the top of Pisco are amazing. You can see many other famous mountains of the Cordillera Blanca. These include Huascarán, Chopicalqui, Artesonraju, and Alpamayo.
Altitude Challenges
The high altitude makes climbing Pisco very difficult. People who are not used to high altitudes will find it hard. Even fit climbers will move slowly. Sleeping at the higher camps can also be tough. If you sleep in the third camp on the ice, you need special gear.
Youngest Climber
The youngest person to climb Pisco was Liv Jensen. She was 11 years old when she reached the summit. Liv achieved this amazing feat on July 5, 2018.
