The Real Bolivia
When climbers dream of Bolivia, they picture wide open landscapes and the famous 6,000m peaks, but there are seldom visited valleys and mountains few humans have ever set foot on that are waiting for the adventurous at heart. Access to these wild spaces can be gained today by working with the traditional stewards of these lands.
Life here is hard. The climate is harsh and traditional agriculture and herding is far from lucrative. Mountain tourism can provide a lifeline to communities on the edge.
The church in Peñas
The church in Peñas is a 450 year-old colonial area institution. Padre Antonio Lavatarelli, himself a talented mountaineer, has led the church for 15 years. He has worked tirelessly to earn the trust of the residents of the region and partnered with the Bolivian Catholic University to bring a satellite campus to the church grounds. Together, the church and the university have begun training young members of the indigenous Aymara communities in alpine guiding and adventure tourism. The first generation of these guides has come together to form La Cordillera Experience.
Alto Cruz Pampa
The remote village of Alto Cruz Pampa is the gateway to the beautiful 6,000m peaks of Chearoco Chachacomani. Representatives of the Sustainable Ascents Foundation recently (July 2024) negotiated a plan with the village for the construction of a mountain refuge at the foot of the mountain. This refuge will be maintained and operated by the leadership of the village. All proceeds from the refuge will go towards the refurbishment of the village school and improvinh access for trade in goods between the village and the surrounding area. Oversight will be provided by the Peñas campus of the Bolivian Catholic University.
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