Nevado de Cachi: Segment 5

Dogs Off-leash

Features Birding · Commonly Backpacked · Geological Significance · River/Creek · Views · Wildflowers · Wildlife

There are no facilities of any kind on the 4-day expedition to high camp or on this final summit day. All equipment and supplies must be packed in or carried on mules if the endeavor is supported.

Most of the trail, and especially this segment is loose rock and gravel. Runners will be unhappy.

From the high camp found in the trail Nevado de Cachi - Segment 4 there is little to no marked or obvious pathway. The route starts at High Camp where the decommissioned and derelict weather station sits in shambles, and proceeds initially straight up the valley. Once the snowfield is encountered at the waterway on the left while looking upward, zig-zag upward to the left of the snowfield until reaching the first ridge.

At the ridge turn slightly to the right to follow the ridge toward a false summit. Looking left you are viewing the valley of Luracatao. Once more zig-zag up the steep slope covered with gravel and rocks until gaining the top of the ridge. From here you can see the ultimate summit of the Nevado de Cachi.

Follow the saddle towards the summit on a more gradual slope. At this point you may need spikes or crampons; it is possible that a route is clear to the left of the snowfield paralleling a much steeper pitch.

At the summit there are a few markers and a fabulous views west to Chile, down the Calchaquí Valley, and 360 degrees around you. There is some minor shelter from what will likely be a high wind.

On this segment of the trail, all of which is above 17,400, it is unlikely to see much flora or fauna. Further down the valley of course there is a variety of both.