Tocllaraju, Mountain summit in Ancash Department, Peru.
Tocllaraju is a mountain summit in the Cordillera Blanca range of northern Peru reaching 6,032 meters high. The peak displays a distinctive pyramid form and sits within a high alpine environment marked by glaciers and steep rock faces.
German climbers Walther Brecht and Hans Schweizer made the first recorded ascent on July 31, 1939, establishing the Northwest Ridge route. This pioneering climb helped document the technical challenges that future mountaineers would face on this peak.
The name comes from Quechua, linking local communities to the snow-covered peaks that dominate their landscape. Visitors notice how the mountain remains central to how people in nearby valleys relate to their environment.
The approach starts from Pashpa village and passes through Ishinca Valley to successive camps at elevations ranging from 4,350 to 4,950 meters (14,270 to 16,240 feet). Working with local guides familiar with weather patterns and conditions is essential for a safe experience.
The Northwest Ridge route exposes climbers to extreme glacial conditions, including hidden crevasses and rapidly changing snow. Many mountaineers underestimate the technical complexity of this line compared to other nearby peaks.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
