A wonder that always prevails
Sighted from the furthest horizons, Nevado de Chañi constitutes a massif of considerable altitude that geologically has little to do with the Andes Mountains proper. It is made up of several peaks, all of them higher than 5000 meters above sea level, which arise from prominent ridges that emerge to the west and south. The stubborn and majestic geography wanted one day this beautiful mountain range to participate in the limits between the two northernmost provinces of the country, Salta and Jujuy.
The 5896 meters above sea level represent a great challenge for the mountaineer, not only because of the height itself, but also because of the path that must be traveled to get there.
Observations: Although we have animals (mules-donkeys) that help us carry the general equipment and some of the personnel, each one must carry their own backpack of no less than 55/60 liters of capacity throughout the tour ( check below, in Notes: Level of Demand).
ITINERARY
Recommendation: Arrive the day before, to spend the night in Salta. Check air or bus options to get there.
Note: This is the longest option to ascend the mountain, which includes an approach with a beautiful walking tour that begins in the southern sector of the massif, in Salta province.
Day 1: SALTA & SAN BERNARDO DE LAS ZORRAS, 3000 masl. Meeting in Salta and departure in charter vehicle to San Bernardo de las Zorras, a small town located at 3000 meters above sea level, on the road that goes up to San Antonio de los Cobres, very close to the Train of the Clouds. There we get off the vehicle and set up camp, next to some beautiful trees that give us shade. Brief tour of the area. Hydration. Dinner and overnight. Approximate walking hours: 0.
Day 2: POTRERO DE CHAÑI, 3400 masl. With the first rays of light breakfast, backpacks on the shoulder and departure. Day of quiet trekking to the next campsite in Potrero de Chañi, a picturesque hamlet located at 3,400 meters above sea level. About 6 hours of walking for the day. Walks in the area and acclimatization night in the town. Views of the south wall of Chañi in front of us. Approximate walking hours: 7.
Day 3: CORRAL BLANCO, 4000 masl. Breakfast. We continue our journey, now through a more open place with gradual unevenness. We pass through Pasnato, an old aboriginal settlement and then we ascend definitively towards the place of Portezuelo del Chañi. The place of our camp is called Corral Blanco, located exactly 4000 meters above sea level. We set up the tents and get ready to hydrate. Dinner and overnight. Approximate walking hours: 8.
Day 4: LOS MIMBRES-OVEJERÍA, 3600 masl. Breakfast. Day of ascent to the Chañi pass (PORTEZUELO) to reach the Abra de Reyes (border between Salta and Jujuy - 4200 masl) from where we descend to Ovejería (3600 masl), a fantastic hamlet located on the Jujuy side. Night of refuge in a typical house in the area. Rest and free to tour the place. Approximate walking hours: 8.
Day 5: LOS MIMBRES-OVEJERÍA, 3600 masl Breakfast. Rest day or low activity day. We can rest by the river or visit the Great Canyon and the old settlement of Ovejería, with its classic church and its two families as the only inhabitants today. Dinner and overnight. Approximate walking hours: 0.
Day 6: LA GRAN VEGA, 4100 masl. Breakfast. We begin our gradual ascent to attempt the summit of the hill. As we gain height, we can appreciate the extraordinary setting that the area gives us. Intermediate lunch. We´ll search for a place to set up our intermediate camp, next to a stream, in the La Gran Vega camp, Puesto Angela. Hydration. Dinner and overnight. Approximate walking hours: 6.
Day 7: REFUGE, 4700 masl. Last section of approach, to reach the Nevado del Chañi Military Refuge, in the Reichert Amphitheater, at 4700 meters above sea level. Rest, hydration and preparation of equipment for the summit day. Approximate walking hours: 3.
Day 8: SUMMIT-REFUGE, 4700 masl. Very early breakfast (3 am). Final preparations and assault to the summit. We start the section at night to the base of the carry, we ascend to the Abra de Chañi at 5400 meters above sea level and from there we´ll try to access the main summit along the long edge. Descent to the refuge. Approximate walking hours: 12/15.
Day 9: LOS MIMBRES-OVEJERÍA, 3600 masl. Breakfast. Descent to Ovejeria. Recovery, relaxation and rest day. Approximate walking hours: 6.
Day 10: MOLULO, 2200 masl. Breakfast. Disarming of the camp and long trekking to Molulo, almost at the end of the valley, continuing with our Tour of Chañi. Last night on the mountain. Farewell dinner. Approximate walking hours: 10.
Day 11: LEON-S.S.DE JUJUY-SALTA. Breakfast. Last 2-hour stretch to León, again in the Quebrada de Humahuaca. End of the tour. Transfer by vehicle to San Salvador de Jujuy and / or Salta. End of our services.
