Yanaphaqcha Expedition 2019:

This very rigorous expedition was designed for folks that want the ‘condensed’ version of our Ishinca Valley Expedition. Like the aforementioned course, the curriculum will be at an intermediate to advanced level for experienced climbers that wish to become professional guides, self-sufficient mountaineers, and effective leaders that can manage groups in high consequence mountains. 

Yanaphaqcha (~18,000′) is located in the Llanganuco Valley, 4 hours north of Huaraz, Peru. The course curriculum will focus on technical skills for professionals, leadership skills for outdoor educators and guides, self rescue techniques, short roping/pitching, decision making in avalanche terrain and high altitude mountaineering. We also have the option of making an attempt on Pisco (~18,800′) during the last 3 days of the course. Yana makes for a perfect acclimatization peak and serves as a perfect classroom to develop the complex skills that students need to lead each other on Pisco.

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Photo: Student Anthony Gaugliano leading the summit pitches on Yana

When: July 25-30, 2019

Where: Cordillera Blanca, Peru

Tuition: $2,125 with 4 students

College Credit: 3 (available through Green Mountain College, contact us for details)

Scholarships available:

SIET General Scholarship App 2018
50-50 Scholarship 2018

Certificates of Completion: will be decided on as a group; certificates will be chosen from the following categories:

  • Avalanche Awareness 
  • Companion Rescue
  • LNT Trainer (optional)
  • Mountaineering Leadership Course Diploma

Who: You! And only 3 other participants, and one instructor. The small course size and ratio will allow students the intensive supervision they need for the challenging terrain they will be working in. This course was created as a number of folks that expressed a desire to take the Ishinca Valley Expedition couldn’t find the time for a longer 3 week expedition. They wanted to develop their skills as a mountaineer at extreme altitude with high-level instruction. This course is an answer to those requests. Students should expect very long days, both physically and academically. Plan on 8 hour days on glacier and/or rock, plus ~1 hour of gear/food prep per day and 1-2 hours of homework each night. If you’re looking for a vacation, keep looking…

Gear Checklist High Altitude Expeditions

Prerequisites for Yana Expedition

Please don’t hesitate to call or email with questions about this unique course! Contact Us

marisol-sullivan-on-yanaphaqcha
Marisol Sullivan high on the summit ridge of Yana

Course Curriculum:

  • Security in Developing Nations
    • personal and group security techniques
    • options for emergency scenarios
  • International Travel Considerations
    • respecting culture specific etiquette
    • cultural expectations: the dangers of bringing U.S. expectations to other cultures
  • Nutritional Considerations
    • carb/fat/protein ratios for high altitude
    • formulas for creating a meal plan
  • Organizing an Expedition
    • obtaining food, fuel, and transportation
  • Conducting Business with Porter & Cooks
    • what they will expect from you
    • what you can expect from them
  • Camp Craft: Advanced techniques
    • tents, kitchens, snow camping, storm proofing, etc
  • Equipment
    • appropriate use and care
    • common industry standards
  • Leave No Trace Principles
    • the 7 LNT Principles
    • the LNT Trainer Certification is optional
  • Leadership Techniques
    • creating and maintaining an effective group dynamic
    • expedition behavior
    • communication
    • conducting meaningful debriefs
  • Risk Management
    • risk assessment
    • wilderness first aid
    • conducting evacuations
    • creating route time plans
    • common industry standards
    • acceptable risk
    • case scenarios
  • High Altitude Physiology
    • acclimatizing strategies
    • AMS, HAPE and HACE: signs and symptoms, treatment, evacuations and common industry standards
    • heart rate and oximeter charts
    • case scenarios
  • Avalanche Terrain Assessment
  • Glaciology and Basic Geology
    • glacier dynamics and features
    • reading glaciers
    • mountain building
  • Glacier Travel and Rigging
    • route finding
    • rope team drills
    • common industry standards
  • Rope Team Management
    • belaying
    • movement
    • communication
    • running protection
    • creating perimeter camps
  • Meteorology: Mountain Weather
    • forecasting
    • charting local trends
  • Snow/Ice Climbing
    • crampon and ice axe techniques
    • movement
    • track setting
  • Snow/Ice Anchors
    • picket placement techniques
    • anchor assessment
  • Crevasse Rescue
    • pulley systems
    • rescue drills
    • common industry standards

expedition-training
Approaching the West Face of Yana with Huascaran North and South in the background
 

Costs Include:

  • All in-country transportation during expedition
  • All hotels during the expedition
  • All group climbing gear
  • All meals while in the field
  • Park fees
  • Permit fees
  • Porters
  • Burros/Horses
  • Camp Cooks/Watchmen

Costs Do Not Include:

  • Wire transfer fee or PayPal fees
  • Airfare
  • Hotels before/after the course ($8-40/night)
  • Meals in Lima or Huaraz (plan on $10-20/day)
  • Personal gear (listed on the gear list)
  • Bottled beverages
  • Excess baggage charges and airport fees
  • All expenses incurred in the event of early departure or delayed arrival (evacuation fees, transport, extra hotel nights, etc)
  • Fees associated with college credit or credit transfer

Please note: any expedition that is under enrolled will be canceled 6 weeks before the expedition begins. In such a case, a full refund will be available. This has yet to happen on any SIET expedition.