Blanca 2004

The Cordillera Blanca of Peru is one of the most popular areas of the Andes chain, but still offers scope for keen explorers. This team set out with several objectives in mind in the Quebradas Santa Cruz, but experienced bad weather for much of their time in the area ('worst in 18 years' according to a regular visitor), which hampered progress and caused avalanches, one of which temporarily buried two team members. They felt that Nevada Millisraju (5,500m) was unattractive so was not attempted, while fresh snow but a lack of ice stopped them on Taulliraju (5,830m). However, they did succeed in making the first ascent of the north face of Nevada Paron (5,600m), with a 400m 10-pitch TD+ route that they have called 'Bartonellosis'.